Portfolio of Experience & Professional Review
Eligibility for Chartered Director
To qualify as a Chartered Director, the candidate's length of experience in a director role, or equivalent, should be either:
A - three full years - based on experience in a director level role and holding a recognised degree or professional qualification or
B - five full years - based on experience in a director level role for those without a degree or professional qualification.
For either period, the candidate may have been working in a number of roles at director (or equivalent) level, including non-executive positions (NED positions must be in consecutive years). The candidate's board (or governing body) must comprise a minimum of three directors (either executive or non-executive directors).
One has up to ten years to apply for Chartered Director status after being awarded the IoD Diploma. This leaves ample time for those who do not yet meet the above time criteria to become eligible for Chartered Director status.
For those with the requisite experience, the Professional Review, outlined below, is normally completed within two to three months of passing the examination.
Professional Review
The Professional Review follows the candidate's registration and passing the examination in Company Direction.
As part of the Professional Review, the candidate is required to complete a Portfolio of Experience and attend an interview.
The Portfolio of Experience
The portfolio includes a record of the candidate's employment history as a director, together with a description (max. 1500 words total) of the applicant's involvement in directorial activities under five themes:
(i) vision, mission and values,
(ii) strategy,
(iii) delegation to management and performance review,
(iv) accountability to stakeholders,
(v) discharging one's duties as a director and member at a collective, responsible board.
The Interview
Candidates for admission to the profession of Chartered Director are called for interview. The purpose is to obtain further information about the candidate's experience and contribution as a director, as outlined in their portfolio. The interview is conducted as informally as possible - more of a conversation than an interrogation - and the interviewers endeavour to put the candidate at ease.
Professional Accreditation Committee
The candidate's portfolio, together with the interview reports, is considered by the IoD UK's Professional Accreditation Committee. This committee is responsible for the decision as to whether or not a candidate has demonstrated an acceptable standard of experience. Following the review, the candidate will receive a decision on his/her election to Chartered Director.
