Institute of Directors facts for kids
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IoD headquarters at 116 Pall Mall
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| Founded | 1903 |
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| Type | Professional organisation |
| Focus | Business leaders |
| Headquarters | 116 Pall Mall London, SW1 United Kingdom |
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Members
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20,000+ |
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Director General
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Jonathan Geldart |
The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a group in the UK for people who lead businesses. This includes company directors, senior managers, and entrepreneurs. It is the oldest organization of its kind in the UK. It started in 1903 and received a special permission from the King or Queen in 1906. This permission, called a royal charter, gave the IoD the job of supporting free business, talking to the government, and setting good rules for how companies are run.
The IoD's main office is in a very old and important building at 116 Pall Mall in London. This building used to be a club for military officers. Members of the IoD can use shared workspaces across the UK. They also get special business information, help with taxes and legal questions, and invitations to members-only events. They also get discounts on IoD training courses.
In 2005, the IoD had about 55,000 members. By 2021, it had just over 20,000 full members. The number of members has been steady since then. IoD members come from all types and sizes of companies. About 70% of members are self-employed or work for small and medium-sized businesses. Also, many of the biggest companies in the UK have an IoD member on their leadership team.
Contents
What the IoD Does
The IoD was created in 1903. Its main goals are to:
- Help directors be skilled, knowledgeable, and honest.
- Speak up for its members and the business world to the government.
- Encourage new businesses and help create wealth.
- Support the study and development of good company management.
Who Can Join the IoD?
The IoD represents individual people, not companies. Every member's opinion is equally important. People usually stay members throughout their careers. This helps the IoD speak for the whole business community.
Today, there are over 20,000 IoD members in the UK and other countries. Anyone interested in business can join. This includes people who run their own business, are self-employed, or are part of a company's board.
How the IoD Helps Businesses
The IoD works to support its members and promote good ways of running companies. It talks to the government and other groups. The IoD campaigns on important issues for its members and the wider business world. This helps create a good environment for company leaders in the UK.
Business Advice
The IoD offers special business advice to its members. This advice covers all parts of running a business. It includes fair and private help with legal, money, human resources, marketing, and tax questions. Full members can get this help online, by phone, or in person. They can have up to 25 different advice sessions each year.
Training and Learning
The IoD provides training courses for business leaders. These courses are for people at different stages of their careers. There are courses to help directors learn new skills for specific roles. One important course is the Chartered Director program.
Both members and non-members can take these training courses. About 6,500 people attend an IoD course every year. The IoD also offers coaching, mentoring, and online learning tools.
Events and Activities
The IoD holds many networking, policy, and social events throughout the year. These events happen all over the country.
Annual Convention
The Annual Convention was a very important event for the IoD. It used to happen every year at the Royal Albert Hall. Many famous business leaders, politicians, and world leaders spoke at this event. The convention took place every year from 1950 until 2016. Important people like Jimmy Wales, who helped start Wikipedia, and Richard Branson, a famous entrepreneur, have spoken there. Members of the British royal family also attended. The last Annual Convention was in September 2016.
After a break, the event was held again in March 2018. It was called "IoD Open House." This was a three-day business festival at 116 Pall Mall.
Rhondda Lecture
In 2015, the IoD started the yearly Rhondda Lecture. This lecture honors Margaret Mackworth, 2nd Viscountess Rhondda. She was the first female President of the IoD. The lecture celebrates new ideas, strong leadership, and taking action. Julia Gillard, who used to be the Prime Minister of Australia, gave the first lecture in June 2015. It was held at 116 Pall Mall for politicians, experts, and business leaders.
Director Magazine
Director was a magazine about business and lifestyle for business leaders. It was published every two months. IoD members received it for free, and others could buy a subscription. The magazine featured interviews with business leaders and politicians. It also had updates from the IoD, discussions on current topics, and reviews. The magazine stopped being printed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
IoD Leadership
| Coat of arms of the Institute of Directors |
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| Crest | Issuant from a circlet Or with eight thrift flowers leaved proper on the rim a pair of scales Gules behind the pivot a compass card as in the arms. |
| Blazon | Argent on a pale Ermine between a castle of three towers and an argosy in full sail Sable a cross and in the first quarter a sword erect Or on a chief Gules a compass card Gold. |
| Supporters | On the dexter side a lion Or gorged with a collar Gules charged with [three] bezants and on the sinister side a dragon Gold winged Argent the underside of the wing charged with a cross Gules. |
| Motto | Integrity and Enterprise |
The IoD has local groups and branches across the UK. These are the main contact points for members. At the national level, the IoD is run by a board and a council. The council helps share the opinions of IoD members.
Barbara, Lady Judge became the IoD's first female chairman in May 2015. She wanted to support women and help more women get top jobs in British businesses. She left the organization in September 2018. Charlotte Valeur took over as chair but stepped down in August 2020. Patrick Macdonald became the new chair in March 2021.
Timothy Melville-Ross was the IoD's director-general from 1994 to 1999.
Stephen Martin was the director-general until early 2019. Jonathan Geldart was appointed as the new director-general in October 2019.
The IoD Building: 116 Pall Mall
The IoD is located in a very important building called 116 Pall Mall in London. This building is open to IoD members. It also has rooms and event spaces that can be rented. The building and its art collection are owned by the Crown Estate. Before 1978, the building was used by the United Service Club. The building was designed by John Nash, a famous architect from the 1800s. He also designed the Brighton Pavilion and Marble Arch. It was built between 1826 and 1828.
From 2001 to 2014, members could also use 123 Pall Mall. This was a modern meeting space, different from the traditional 116 Pall Mall. It was designed by Wayne and Geraldine Hemingway. Even though members liked it, the building was closed in 2014 to save money.
116 Pall Mall has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows. These include Gandhi, Foyle's War, Downton Abbey, The Ali G Show, Parks and Recreation and The Dark Knight.
