Take Your Seat at the Table

I have been a member of the Institute of Directors for five years now and have attended a number of workshops and training programmes to brush up on my skills and to ensure that I am legally compliant in all my directorship roles and responsibilities. The IoD hosts a number of very beneficial briefing sessions and is a very supportive organisation that has enabled me to make connections with other peers that would have been unavailable to me prior to my membership.

Sharing experiences and learning is a vital component of a director’s skill set. Membership of the Institute of Directors provides this opportunity in spades, and much more besides. It is member focused, relevant and value adding for executive and non-executive directors alike.

I joined the Institute of Directors in Ireland to improve my understanding of corporate governance, and to better understand the distinction between the role of the board and the role of management. Being a member helps me stay up-to-date with the latest developments in this area, and gain access to thought leadership insight on emerging business issues. Another important personal benefit has been the opportunity to broaden my professional network.

Increasingly, boards are being questioned by stakeholders on governance issues. Good governance is not just a necessary add-on but key to the operation of an organisation in the private, public or charity sector. When it comes to advice, guidance or point of reference on governance or board operation, board members often need solid independent advice. The Institute of Directors is that place. Joining the IoD was, in my opinion, hugely beneficial in my role as a CEO and Chair.

Being an IoD member is very valuable to any director or senior executive. The IoD affords easy access to information on evolving governance, regulation and practices. It provides regular expert briefings of topical relevance to companies and is a setting where members can meet to share experiences as business leaders and learn from each other. I have found the IoD to be a highly efficient and effective means of enhancing my capability as a director and my understanding of how boards can perform better