More younger female role models are needed, according to a business group which found that most people who inspire workers are either dead, approaching retirement or almost exclusively male.

Businessmen and politicians also featured strongly in a poll of 1,700 workers by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Nelson Mandela and Virgin boss Richard Branson topped the list of inspirational figures, followed by businessmen Steve Jobs and John Harvey-Jones.

The institute said a role model ‘revolution’ was needed after its study found that women were less likely than men to aspire to top jobs.

Twice as many men as women were aiming for a chief executive post, which the report suggested could be because of “outdated stereotypes”.

Without accessible, inspiring women highlighted in the public eye, it’s no surprise we’re lacking a pipeline of talented women aiming for top jobs

Ann Francke, chief executive of the CMI, said: “It’s time to redefine and rejuvenate what we think of as an inspiring person. Without accessible, inspiring women highlighted in the public eye, it’s no surprise we’re lacking a pipeline of talented women aiming for top jobs.

“Women are opting not to go for these roles because they’re put off by business cultures, and wider social attitudes, that are still predominantly geared to making men successful but alienate women.

“If men in our workplaces are inherently biased towards taking their lead from the men in their lives rather than the women, it’s unlikely they’re championing and nurturing their female and male employees equally.”

The research, published ahead of International Women’s Day, showed that only half of those polled could identify a good role model in their organisation.