Institute of Directors

14/09/2026

In today's environment, crises can emerge quickly and escalate just as fast. 🆘

That's why effective crisis communication is no longer simply a communications function. It is a boardroom responsibility.

Published today, Crisis Communication for Boards: A Handbook for Good Governance, developed by the CIPR Crisis Communications Network in association with the IoD, explores the critical role directors and boards play in leading organisations through crisis. 📝

As expectations of boards continue to grow, the handbook highlights why effective communication is a cornerstone of good governance, helping organisations build resilience, maintain trust and navigate uncertainty.

Read the report here: https://okt.to/SKjR9E

Read about Chartered Institute of Public Relations and Institute of Directors publish Crisis Communication Handbook for Boards. Get more of the latest business news articles from the Institute of Directors.

11/09/2026

Conference season is upon us, and we're delighted to be supporting events at both Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this autumn.

From championing SMEs to strengthening relationships between business and policymakers, these events provide an important opportunity to engage on the issues that matter most to UK businesses.

🔴 Labour Party Conference

The Labour Business Reception: https://okt.to/6MJtiV
📅 Tuesday 29 September 2026
🕕 6:00pm to 8:00pm
📍 Grace Suites, Hilton Liverpool

The IoD is proud to be co-sponsoring the Labour Business Reception alongside Mastercard, hosted by Labour Business in partnership with Labour in the City, Labour in Communications, Labour Energy & Industry, Labour Digital and SME for Labour.

🔵 Conservative Party Conference

Backing Britain's SMEs Reception: https://okt.to/38qsrU
📅 Monday 5 October 2026
🕕 6:00pm to 7:30pm
📍 Hall 7, ICC Birmingham

The IoD is also pleased to be co-hosting the Backing Britain's SMEs Reception with Conservatives For Business, bringing together delegates to celebrate the vital contribution SMEs make to growth, job creation and communities across the UK.

If you're attending either conference, we'd be delighted to see you there.

10/09/2026

Discover the pathway to Chartered Director status.

Join our Pathway to Chartered Director session to discover how achieving Chartered Director status can strengthen your confidence, credibility and effectiveness. Whatever your professional background.

Whether you’re an experienced director preparing for your first board role or bringing experience from another profession, this online session provides a comprehensive introduction to the world’s only Chartered qualification for directors under the Royal Charter.

📅25th November 2026
📍Online

What you’ll learn during this session:

🎓The three stages to Chartered Director status – Gain an overview of the Certificate in Company Direction, Diploma in Company Direction and Chartered Director Assessment & status.

📚What each stage Involves - Learn about the learning objectives, assessments and qualification requirements at each stage of the pathway.

🗣️Insights from those who’ve completed the journey – Hear from Chartered Directors Glynis Hobson & Ian Waddelow as they share their experiences, insights and advice.

For those exploring Chartered Director status or looking to take the next step in your professional development, this session will provide the knowledge and guidance to help you move forward with the confidence you need to achieve your full potential and contribute at the highest level.

Book your place here: https://okt.to/HTdnG0

10/09/2026

Discover the pathway to Chartered Director status.

Join our Pathway to Chartered Director session to discover how achieving Chartered Director status can strengthen your confidence, credibility and effectiveness. Whatever your professional background.

Whether you’re an experienced director preparing for your first board role or bringing experience from another profession, this online session provides a comprehensive introduction to the world’s only Chartered qualification for directors under the Royal Charter.

📅25th November 2026
📍Online

What you’ll learn during this session:

🎓The three stages to Chartered Director status – Gain an overview of the Certificate in Company Direction, Diploma in Company Direction and Chartered Director Assessment & status.

📚What each stage Involves - Learn about the learning objectives, assessments and qualification requirements at each stage of the pathway.

🗣️Insights from those who’ve completed the journey – Hear from Chartered Directors Glynis Hobson & Ian Waddelow as they share their experiences, insights and advice.

For those exploring Chartered Director status or looking to take the next step in your professional development, this session will provide the knowledge and guidance to help you move forward with the confidence you need to achieve your full potential and contribute at the highest level.

Book your place here: https://okt.to/T4spd6

02/09/2026

Calling all Chartered Directors 📣

Are you ready to refresh your director skillset and gain fresh perspectives from some of the UK's leading experts?

Join us at the Governance and Leadership Summit 2026, an exclusive development event at 116 Pall Mall for Chartered Directors, designed to refresh and reinforce the knowledge gained through your previous IoD learning.

📅: 29 September 2026
⌚8.30am – 1pm
📍116 Pall Mall

You'll hear from an inspiring line-up of speakers spanning leadership, governance, behavioural science and emerging technologies, including:

🗣️ Jo Salter - The UK's first female fighter jet pilot, former PwC leadership director and GenAI advisor, sharing insights on leadership and peak performance.

🗣️ Professor Simon Haslam CDir, Talita Ferreira & Tessa Breslin - Renowned leadership experts and key contributors to the IoD's Leadership for Directors programme.

🗣️ Sheelagh Duffield - Governance specialist, senior executive and lawyer with more than two decades of board-level experience.

🗣️ Dean Cooper - Expert in negotiation, behavioural profiling and neuroscience, exploring influence, communication and decision-making under pressure.

To book, visit https://okt.to/gfi5zx.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

25/08/2026

Calling all Chartered Directors 📣

Are you ready to refresh your director skillset and gain fresh perspectives from some of the UK's leading experts?

Join us at the Governance and Leadership Summit 2026, an exclusive development event at 116 Pall Mall for Chartered Directors, designed to refresh and reinforce the knowledge gained through your previous IoD learning.

📅: 29 September 2026
⌚8.30am – 1pm
📍116 Pall Mall

You'll hear from an inspiring line-up of speakers spanning leadership, governance, behavioural science and emerging technologies, including:
🗣️ Jo Salter - The UK's first female fighter jet pilot, former PwC leadership director and GenAI advisor, sharing insights on leadership and peak performance.
🗣️ Professor Simon Haslam CDir, Talita Ferreira & Tessa Breslin, C.Psychol AFBPsS - Renowned leadership experts and key contributors to the IoD's Leadership for Directors programme.
🗣️ Sheelagh Duffield, Dip IoD - Governance specialist, senior executive and lawyer with more than two decades of board-level experience.
🗣️ Dean Cooper - Expert in negotiation, behavioural profiling and neuroscience, exploring influence, communication and decision-making under pressure.

To book, visit: https://okt.to/ygEuOv

We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

25/08/2026

As organisations invest in AI skills, are they investing enough in communication skills? 🗣️

From active listening to difficult conversations, the abilities that underpin strong relationships remain essential to business success.

The challenge for leaders isn't choosing between AI and human connection. It's finding the right balance.

📖 Read End of Conversation from the latest edition of Director Magazine here: https://okt.to/MYh65l

20/08/2026

💡 Your home is a life’s work – it’s likely your most valuable asset.
Did you know that, as an IoD member, you can access a range of special member offers on products and services which not only support you professionally, but meet your personal needs too?

Through the IoD's Professional Benefits Programme, you can benefit from a 12.5% discount* for the lifetime of a policy with Hiscox on:

➡️ Home and contents insurance:

With high levels of cover included as standard – visit https://okt.to/ca2zQ1 or call 0800 840 2331.

➡️ Private client insurance:

For those with higher-value homes, possessions and collections, with complex needs who would benefit from a personalised service – visit https://okt.to/5Czn4s or call 020 7448 6896.

Opening times are Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays.
*Terms and conditions apply.

See https://okt.to/jEgdtI for details.

13/08/2026

Could AI become your next board colleague? 👀

Research comparing human and AI boardrooms delivered some uncomfortable findings. AI performed better in several areas, from decision-making to using evidence effectively.

But the bigger story isn't whether AI replaces directors.

It's how boards can use AI to improve governance while preserving the human judgement that businesses still depend on. 🌟

Read the full article here - https://okt.to/T9e2S7

12/08/2026

The best business leaders don’t know it all. And boardroom confidence doesn’t happen overnight.

The pressure is on for today's directors. In an increasingly complex and fast-moving business landscape, leaders are expected to balance governance, strategic direction, stakeholder expectations and organisational performance, often all at once.

That’s where the IoD’s Leadership for Directors Programme comes in. It’s designed to help directors build the skills and confidence demanded by today's business environment – using real case studies for maximum practical impact.

Our newly refreshed programme will help you to:

🫡Lead strategically
🧭 Navigate governance challenges
🗳️ Influence decision-making
🤝Build trust and accountability
⚙️ Engage stakeholders with confidence

And before you even start, you’ll get exclusive access to our new IoD Leadership Capability Self-Assessment tool 🎓, designed to give you insights into your strengths, development areas and even your leadership style.

Because we believe effective leadership starts with self-awareness - and continues to grow through reflection, learning and action.

Explore Leadership for Directors and take the next step in your development: https://okt.to/i9w1K6