www.ceotodaymagazine.com CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2023 13 I am humbled that what we are doing at the Institute has been noticed. As everybody says – largely because it is always true – it’s not me, it’s a really good team; people who believe in the institution. This is an award for all of them, not just me. So I would like to take opportunity to thank my amazing colleagues at the IoD, as well as the many members who volunteer and act as our ambassadors across the UK and beyond. Can you share anything about IoD’s plans for development in 2023 and the future? We are going to continue to focus our attention on the next generation of directors whilst supporting our existing members. The future of the economy, the future of business in the UK, is going to come from that next generation. We are therefore focussed on reshaping the Institute to make it more attractive to a younger and more diverse group of directors – ensuring that we are representative of wider society. We are here to support them in their learning, development and expansion of their horizons. I am delighted that that work is paying off. However, there is more to do. We will absolutely be focused on adding value for members and hopefully adding more members. We are also upgrading and extending our courses. As well, we will seek to engage with government wherever we can to the wider economic benefit of our members, and indeed the country. is in beating the naysayers. If people say it is not possible, I will try and prove them that it is. People have, for a long time, said that the Institute of Directors was in terminal decline. But I would like to think that we have proved that it is not. I have always set myself big, audacious goals. Having a team around me that share the same level of belief is great, because we all believe we can do something here and that the organisation is worth investing in and developing. The IoD can and does move with the times. After a decade of membership decline, we have seen first a flattening off of that and now membership is growing. We are seeing that over a third of new members are women, that the average age of our current intake is in their early 40s and that they come from all parts of the UK and internationally. That is a far cry from the perception of the Institute as a predominantly older, male, London-centric organisation. We have a clear purpose and a focused five-year strategy. Of course we make mistakes, but we are agile and flexible in our response and we’re doing something that’s immensely worthwhile. What does this award mean to you? Of course I am hugely honoured to receive this award. However, more than that, I am genuinely surprised and bemused. Why would anybody have singled me out? I believe we have recovered from the issues of the past and we will now continue to thrive. Jonathan Geldart Director General, Institute of Directors Address: 116 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5ED Phone: +44 (0) 20 3855 4308 Email: membership@iod.com www.iod.com
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