IoD Scotland Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021
iod.com/scotland
Direction
The official membership magazine for the Institute of Directors in Scotland
GLOBAL CONFERENCE:
Connecting the world to solve
our greatest challenges
Nominations open for
Director of the Year Awards
Focus on growth by taking
failure in your stride
The potential
for Scotland –
and for the IoD
New National Director
Louise Macdonald
outlines her priorities

02
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Times, they are a-changin’
We’re edging nearer a new normal after a period of
unprecedented turmoil and the need to reach out and
collaborate across the business world has never been
more important, says IoD Scotland Chair Aidan O’Carroll
IoD Scotland
& Direction
For email enquiries:
iod.scotland@iod.com
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Address:
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Edinburgh EH2 1JE
T: 0131 557 5488
When I start to think about the road ahead, Bob
Dylan’s Times they are a-Changin’ keeps coming
into my head.
As we take our first (careful) steps towards a
new normality coming out of the pandemic –
with business and society being able to breathe
again – many things have changed and will
continue to change.
The way so many have adapted to technology
to keep going, whether in business or personally,
the sheer innovation and resilience shown, the
desire to work together to build something better
not just for ourselves, but for the future
generations, has given many a burning desire to
embrace change. We are also seeing many
reaching out to those who are more
apprehensive about the changes that need to be
made going forward and to seek a greater degree
of collaboration across all aspects of how
businesses will grow in the future.
I am so delighted, as part of those changes, to
be welcoming Louise Macdonald as our new
National Director for Scotland. Louise
represents so much of what we will aspire to be
here at IoD – agents of change, caring about
directors and leaders across the spectrum and
reaching out to those that aspire to be our future
leaders.
In her role as CEO of Young Scot, Louise has
led a different type of engagement with that next
generation and we want to harness the great
skills and experience she brings for all our
members – current and future.
There has never been a more important time
for organisations to reach out and help inform,
engage and bring insights and learning to the
widest number of leaders who will help to drive
economic and social recovery in Scotland. We
have undoubtedly changed at the IoD and are
‘‘
Let’s reach out and
help inform, engage
and bring insights
and learning to the
widest number of
leaders...
‘‘
committed to not only being relevant to business
leaders across all sectors but to continue to
adapt to our new dynamic as we seek to build a
bold, ethical and more caring base in Scotland.
How we bring our digital and physical learning
environment together with new opportunities to
learn skills that will be needed to create
sustainable and differentiated businesses will be
at the core of our membership offering.
There is so much to look forward to over the
coming months, in particular our first Global
Conference on 2-3 September which Scotland is
delighted to be hosting. David Miliband and
many other international speakers have signed
up to what promises to be a great event, and you
can read more about it on pages 22-23 of this
publication. Sign up to attend HERE.
In addition, we have kicked off the nomination
process for the Director of the Year Awards
which will take place in December. We are
looking for a diverse group of nominations
covering different categories and I would
encourage you to think about entering yourself
or nominating someone you think deserves
recognition for their achievements. There’s more
information on pages 24-25 on how you can get
involved, or click HERE.
Times indeed are changing. We know there
will be a lot of unpredictability over the coming
months and years, and with a new Scottish
Parliament and Scottish Government to get
engaged with around the important issues that
our members want addressing, the team at IoD
is ready to move forward at pace.
Thanks to all who have supported us to date,
welcome to our new members, our new Chairs
and Committee members, and let’s look
forward together with confidence as we
help to make a positive contribution to
leadership across Scotland.
For more on IoD Events, including our
Global Conference and Director of
the Year Awards, see from pages
22-23.
Left, IoD Global Conference
speaker
Dr Rachel Sibande, one of Africa’s
leading digital development
specialists
Direction is the official
membership magazine
of Institute of Directors
Scotland and is
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Cover: IoD Scotland’s new
National Director Louise
Macdonald speaks to
Direction about her plans
for the future
See pg 14.
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03

News
Miliband among keynote speakers as
IoD makes business case for change
IoD Global Conference
2 & 3 September, 2021
The IoD has confirmed that David
Miliband (pictured), President & CEO of
the International Rescue Committee,
and former UK Foreign Secretary, will
give a keynote address at its first online
global conference.
Hosted by IoD Scotland, other
speakers at the event will include the
CEO of innocent drinks, Douglas
Lamont, who has led the
company on its journey to
becoming the largest chilled
drinks brand in Europe, and
Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu, founder
and CEO of IntelliDigest.
The conference, which is an
evolution of IoD Scotland’s
annual event, will bring together
business leaders from across the UK
and beyond to explore how their
organisations can step up to their
responsibilities in tackling climate
change and build sustainable
businesses. It will stimulate debate and
discussion on leadership, the economy
and the challenges and opportunities
currently facing the UK business
landscape and offer practical policies
for the future.
Connecting the World: Tackling our
Global Challenges Together is the
conference theme, and climate change
will be a key agenda topic over the
two days of the online gathering,
which is a timely precursor
ahead of November’s COP26
summit in Glasgow.
Jonathan Geldart, Director
General of the Institute of
Directors said: “IoD Scotland
has been hosting its annual
conference for over 20 years,
offering a high-value experience with a
wide range of speakers to our Scottish
membership. In the last 12 months we
have all adapted to living and working
virtually, which has presented us with
an opportunity to expand the reach of
this successful event to the IoD’s entire
membership.
“Climate change can only be tackled if
we work together, and the practical
challenges in moving to a low carbon
economy are immense. Business leaders
have always shown courage in
embracing change and finding solutions,
and what better time to discuss the issues
than ahead of November’s COP26
summit in Glasgow.”
The Institute of Directors Global
Conference will be held online over
2 & 3 September. More information
about speakers and how to buy tickets
can be found from Page 22-23, and at:
https://www.iod.com/eventscommunity/regions/scotland/
annual-conference
We’re changing: See how, in the
IoD Annual Report & Accounts
The Institute of Directors is
changing. To highlight how, this
year’s Annual Report &
Accounts – Better Directors for a
Better World – profiles members
who represent the future of the
IoD: ambitious, diverse and
working throughout the UK and
beyond.
Three of those spotlighted are
Scotland-based and well-known
to many IoD members: Lex
Mancini, Manish Joshi and Julie
Ashworth.
To see the report and learn
more about how your IoD is
being transformed, see
https://www.iod.com/2020-
annual-report#ARA
• More on the IoD services,
discounts, facilities and ways to
get involved: see pages 30-31.
Sarah to head-up
IoD Aberdeen
We are pleased to welcome Sarah
Downs as the new Aberdeen Branch
Chair. Assuming the role from Mark
McCue, Sarah is co-founder and
director of Doqaru – a sales and
marketing agency based in
Aberdeen.
Speaking about
her appointment,
Sarah said: “I am
delighted to be ‘in
position’ and look
forward to meeting
the wider IoD
team. The first thing I
plan to do is build up the
existing branch committee and meet
our Aberdeen members.
“I believe that the IoD has a great
opportunity in the region to support
local directors and provide value to all
new and existing members. I am also
looking forward to working
collaboratively with other membership
organisations in the area.”
More on Sarah in our Meet the Chairs
feature, from page 18. Any IoD
members from the region can get in
touch via chair.aberdeen@iod.net.
04
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Aberdeen masterplan to regenerate city
City centres across the UK have been
impacted over the last year, with
significant drops in footfall as shopping
precincts closed during lockdowns. In
response, Aberdeen City Council is
reviewing its 25-year masterplan to
regenerate the city centre.
Focusing on economic recovery in the
short, medium and long term, members
of the city’s growth and resources
committee will develop a framework
from which to monitor and consider the
impact of structural changes that the
pandemic has accelerated and their
implications for city centres.
This includes the loss of retail, the
impact of homeworking and the effects
on consumer and business confidence
and behaviour. The review also presents
an opportunity to re-evaluate the role of
cultural assets in the city and how they
can support recovery in the tourism,
leisure and hospitality sectors.
Aberdeen City Council City Centre
Masterplan spokesperson, Cllr Marie
Boulton said: “The review of the CCMP
is vitally important for the recovery of
the city from Covid-19. It’s crucial that
not only the City Council does what it
can, but partners, stakeholders and
residents also understand they have a
AM Bid is on course to report a £1 million
turnover for the first time after
rebounding strongly from the impact of
the pandemic.
In response to the pandemic
hitting, the company
completed a restructure into a
leaner operating model
alongside a shift in focus to
public sector contracts to
withstand the most serious
effects of the Covid-19 crisis
and post record revenues.
The change in approach saw the
business finish 2020 strongly and this has
continued into 2021. The firm has
reported that its six-month revenue from
October 2020-March 2021 stands at
£543,491, up 13.3% on last year and
ahead of the budgeted figure by 46.1%.
Managing director David Gray
commented: “We are seeing a steady
increase in demand for our services as
many businesses look to bounce back
and rebuild through winning new
business.
“In particular, we are supporting an
significant role to play.
“We all want our city
centre to recover and
continue to be
somewhere where
people want to spend
their leisure time in
shops, restaurants,
cafes and pubs, but we
also have to plan for
how the pandemic has
shaped the area.”
The current
Masterplan, a
regeneration blueprint
which is transforming the city centre
while conserving the city’s heritage, was
shaped following extensive public
consultation and unanimously
approved by Aberdeen City Council in
2015. It has eight objectives and 50
projects, ranging from delivering better
civic spaces to helping support new
events such as the Great Aberdeen Run.
There will also be a review and
evaluation of all existing powers
available to the City Council to drive the
return of footfall to the city centre and
incentivise city centre living.
The results would be reported in
August 2021.
AM Bid records strong growth
with £1m turnover
ever-increasing number of organisations
looking to bid for public sector
contracts as sources of reliable, longterm
revenue.
“Having had to make some
very difficult decisions in 2020,
we are now growing again, by
revenue and by head count.
“The demand has seen our
continued regrowth and we
have gone from having a
reduced number of five staff
last summer to having 11 today,
including one Kickstart employee
with a further two to be recruited
imminently.”
AM Bid now has six Association of
Proposal Management Professionals
(APMP) Certified Practitioners in its team
with Philip Thomson, Chantelle Seaborn,
Jeanette Shaw and Oliver Luhrs all
having recently attained the
qualification.
Mr Gray added: “We will continue to
grow and develop our people and our
services to meet the demand from our
clients.”
Wheatley chair
eyes new growth
Wheatley Group has named Jo
Armstrong as its new chair. One of
Scotland’s leading independent
business economists, Ms
Armstrong joined the Wheatley
board in 2015 and is chair of the
group development committee.
She will succeed Alastair
MacNish when he retires at the
group AGM in September, and
said: “I am delighted to be the
next chair of such an impressive
and successful organisation and
look forward to working with my
Wheatley colleagues and strategic
partners in implementing our
renewed and ambitious five-year
strategy, ‘Your Home, Your
Community, Your
Future’.”
“We have
supported tens
of thousands
of households
in hardship
across central
and southern
Scotland during the pandemic
and we are determined to
contribute creatively to the
country’s recovery. This will
involve continuing to build,
maintain and invest in great
affordable homes and – working
with Wheatley Care and Wheatley
Foundation – to improve the life
opportunities of people living in
our communities, wherever and
whenever we can.”
Ms Armstrong’s professional
career spans financial services,
the Scottish civil service and
charitable sector, while her
voluntary work includes sitting on
IoD Scotland’s Advisory Board.
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05

News
Cromarty Firth port chief hails
‘historic’ green hydrogen deal
The Port of Cromarty Firth has signed a
memorandum of understanding with
Gen2Energy to import green hydrogen
from Norway. The arrangement will
enable the fuel to be distributed from
the firth by road, rail and sea to customers
in the Highlands and across the UK.
The port said it would provide
security of supply for businesses that
are aiming to start using the fuel by
mid-2023 and give them confidence to
make firm plans to start switching their
energy infrastructure.
Port of Cromarty Firth chief executive,
Bob Buskie, said: “This is an historic
moment for the port, and for the move
towards green hydrogen as a reliable
and secure source of energy in the
Highlands, Scotland, and the UK.
“We are on the cusp of another
renewable energy revolution, with
demand for clean energy rising every
year. This MoU can put the Highlands
on the map as one of the largest
suppliers of clean hydrogen energy in
Europe, alongside our established
leadership in the onshore and offshore
wind markets.
“Norway’s remote northern regions
have similar issues to the Highlands in
terms of an excess of renewable energy,
and constraints on putting that energy
into the electricity grid. However, they
are significantly more advanced
domestically in the production of green
hydrogen.
“The ability to produce and ship
hydrogen to new markets is a huge
opportunity for them and they see the
port as a key partner to the UK market.”
A number of big names from the
whisky industry are currently working
with ScotishPower to explore ways of
powering their distilleries in the
Highlands with green hydrogen. Global
Energy Group has also signed an MoU
with the energy giant in connection
with using its fuel at its proposed
offshore wind fabrication plant at Nigg.
Step-Up Glasgow launches
to champion young people
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has
announced the creation of 100 work
placements for young people across
the city to help those affected by the
impact of coronavirus.
Set up in response to the Scottish
Government’s Young Person’s
Guarantee, the partnership
with Glasgow City Council will fund
work placements for 16- to 24-yearolds
not in education, employment, or
in receipt of universal credit.
The programme is being driven
throughout the city to support
sustainable economic growth,
creating roles for school leavers,
college leavers and those young
people who have been unable to
secure employment because of the
pandemic.
The placements will last six months
for those affected by the pandemic.
Participants will also receive 16
hours of in-work and progression
support from Jobs and Businesses
Glasgow, with the opportunity to
complete certified training courses
relevant to the placement. Those
partaking in the scheme include: BAE
Systems, University of Glasgow and
the Scottish Event Campus, among
others.
The roles on offer cover many
operational areas, including youth
community coaches, administrative
assistants and general construction
operatives.
Colleges ‘must be
at centre of climate
change action’
The head of the College Development
Network has said that colleges need to be
at the centre of climate change
emergency plans – or the national
response will not be successful.
Speaking to TES, Jim Metcalfe said
getting to net-zero must be a huge
objective for Scottish colleges in the next
10 years. He stressed: “Unless the college
sector is absolutely at the centre of it
[tackling the climate emergency], I don’t
think our national response can work,
because we won’t have the workforce to
do what we need to do as a country in
the next 20 years.
“But also, I don’t think our students
will buy it. They won’t accept a system
that is disinterested in one of the things
causing them genuine anxiety and
concern. Quite rightly, they’ll expect a
response of us. As a system, we are
working on that now, and that’s going to
be a huge objective for the next 10 years.
It’s something we have to get right.”
The College Development Network has
also published the Scottish Colleges’
Statement of Commitment on the
Climate Emergency, highlighting how
college staff and students are working
together to achieve a more sustainable
future for Scotland.
The key actions for colleges include
educating staff, students, and local
communities on the impact that daily life
can have on the environment, publishing
action plans to address on-campus and
supply chain emissions, and working
with industry and employers to find
practical solutions to help make the
planet safe for future generations.
Metcalfe added there was “absolute
unanimity of purpose and urgency” from
the college sector.
“I think that reflects a new generation
of leaders who have grown through their
education leadership experience with the
climate emergency as part of their
thinking,” he said.
“Students are demanding and student
associations pressing, wanting to see
more action, which is brilliant.”
06
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Downtime
A very big house in the city
The grandeur and decadence of The
Gleneagles Hotel has long beaconed
visitors from across the globe (and a home
to our annual conference). Set in the
rolling green pastures of Perth and
Kinross, the hotel is one of the most
prestigious in the UK, and is a must-see
for locals and tourists alike.
But what could perfectly contrast an
opulent countryside retreat for a seasoned
traveller? A townhouse, of course. A first
for Gleneagles, the hotel will go from
“countryside flair to life on the square”, as
it prepares to open a stylish city dwelling,
appropriately named ‘The Gleneagles
Townhouse’.
Opening on Edinburgh’s St Andrews
Square, the Townhouse will sit alongside
the capital’s luxury shopping district for
those seeking a city break with a little bit
more zhoosh.
Encompassing its classic style and
If our long-awaited return to high street
retail wasn’t enough to spark excitement,
one St Andrews-based retailer has amped
up the anticipation in a quintessentially
Scottish way – by adding whisky.
Inspired by the landscape and traditions
of Scotland, Kartel is a boutique watch
retailer specialising in creating signature,
premium wrist watches. Using locally
From dog caviar to three-figure water
bowls, there is no shortage of luxury
goods on the market for Britain’s
hoard of pampered pooches.
Nothing is too good for our
furry friends, it seems –
something luxury kiltmaker
Kinloch Anderson hopes to
capitalise on with its latest
offering. For over 150 years, the
Edinburgh-based firm has
been dressing the nation in
luxury kilts and Highland
wear, but it has now
strong attention to detail, the hotel will
feature a mix of traditional and
contemporary design.
With 33 bedrooms, an all-day restaurant,
leisure club and two bars including a
rooftop terrace, the boutique hotel will
occupy a former branch of Bank of
Scotland and is set to open as early as
Autumn 2021. Better get booking!
Watch this space for a spot of luxury retail!
sourced materials, including Harris Tweed
and Johnstons of Elgin fabrics, the
company has long focused on creating
bespoke products with a Scottish-theme
for its customers.
But now Kartel has added Scotland’s
most popular export to the experience,
combining local whisky tasting with watch
making. Customers can ‘build their own
watch’ in the company workshop while
enjoying a dram of local whisky in what
must be a unique tasting experience.
While taking a sip you can browse
through a range of components, before
being guided by a master watch-maker
through the assembly and personalisation
process.
With prices for the watch workshop
starting at £155, the experience makes a
perfect self-indulgent treat or a
memorable gift for someone special.
A silent night for your pampered pooch
turned its hand to canine companions
with a new range of made-to-order dog
beds. Available in over 100 tweeds,
2,000 tartans or a washable
combination of both, Kinloch
Anderson’s deluxe beds range
from £195-£350 using high-tech
Quallofil to ensure long lasting
comfort for your pet, without
compromising on style.
For the environmentally
conscious consumer,
Kinloch Anderson has made
sure that the beds are made
For the Fungi in
your life...
With foreign holidays off the cards
for many this year, locals are
turning to Scotland’s native hidden
gems to keep the family entertained.
If food is your thing, a pair of
smallholders at a farm in Port of
Menteith could be the perfect spot.
Located on the fringes of the
highland landscape, Gartur Stitch
Farm is now offering a unique
experience for visitors who want to
learn about the natural cuisine by
harvesting directly from the land.
‘Learn to Forage in the Woods’
workshops see guests pick and
sample a range of seasonal Scottish
wild food, including wild sloes,
blackberries, cherries, yarrow,
hogweed and plaintain before going
on to hunt for edible mushrooms.
You’ll be guided by Kat and Kevin
and will end the day sampling your
delights and learn more about
foraging in Scotland.
Find your own...
by foraging
with sustainability in mind. Each bed’s
inner cushion is made using 50 per
cent recycled plastic collected by
Plastic Bank, recognised as one of the
leading solutions to stop ocean plastic,
while helping people living in poverty
to build a better future.
Kinloch hasn’t stopped there,
though; the company has also unveiled
a range of dog accessories including
travel beds and bandanas. If the
creation of custom tweed dog beds
doesn’t scream it’s a dog’s life, we are
not sure what does!
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07

Behind the Desk: Dr Ken Thomson
‘Students and staff drive me on’
Name: Dr Ken Thomson OBE
Position: Principal and Chief Executive
Company: Forth Valley College
Number of employees: 650
Short overview of organisation: Forth Valley College is the regional college for Central Scotland. It
has campuses in Alloa, Stirling and headquarters in Falkirk with a new £78 million campus. Its
mission is ‘Making Learning Work’ and FVC has a clear purpose to ensure ‘Right Learning in the
Right Place at the Right time’. The college recognises the importance of partnerships and plays a
lead role in the community planning partnerships of all three local authorities, and is a key strategic
player for skills with our industry partners including the City Deals for the area. In addition, the college is
playing a lead part in the new Scottish Government Young Persons Guarantee, Transition Training and Flexible
Workforce Development . FVC has a reputation for innovation, winning the Beacon Award for Innovation in 2014,
and was shortlisted for TES UK College of the Year in 2020.
What is the greatest recurring
challenge you come across in your role,
and what’s your strategy for dealing
with it?
We have to keep our curriculum fresh,
inspiring and relevant for the needs of
industry and to ensure our students are
ahead of the game when they graduate.
As an incorporated college working
with Scottish Government and our
funders, Scottish Funding Council and
Skills Development Scotland, we are
able to design and deliver the most
appropriate qualifications for our area,
ensuring our industries have highly
qualified staff. To do this we have to be
three-four years ahead of the game to
develop and upskill our students and
apprentices. It’s therefore important we
have an excellent network of
intelligence to ensure the skills are right
for the workforce today and tomorrow.
Our mission is ‘Making Learning
Work’ and every staff member is aligned
to ensuring we deliver this through our
creative learning strategy which enables
them to be innovative, empowered and
encouraged to think outside the box and
be entrepreneurial in their work.
Who, or what, drives you or inspires
you?
The drive and enthusiasm of all my
staff and students when they have
permission to take chances. They have
come up with some cracking projects
which also benefits the ongoing
performance and productivity of the
college. To see whole team engagement
on a new idea is fantastic.
What is your long-term vision for the
organisation that you lead?
Continuing to progess our ‘Making
Learning Work’ mission and asking the
question – “what do you want? We can
do that”. This needs new investment
and resourcing, staff training and a
08
modern approach to what works best
for our staff and students. We can’t be
nervous about change, stopping doing
things that we don’t need any more and
finally investing in the things we need to
do.
What keeps you awake at night?
Not much ever since I took to the
Calm app during the first lockdown. It
really puts a perspective on life, ensuring
you have one eye on the future but your
feet very firmly in the present day.
What makes a good leader great?
A listener, a doer, someone that has a
clear vision, a planner and an enabler to
ensure their people are with them along
the journey and a good Board to help
shape, ask the questions and help drive
the organisation.
Have you had a mentor, and what did
he/she add to your development?
I’ve had a mentor and an executive
coach. My coach, Jan, has been on my
journey for over 10 years. I’m a great
believer in an executive coach to advise,
cajole and encourage and get you out of
your comfort zone. You might not have
many other people to share your
experiences with. All my senior team
‘‘
What drives me? The
enthusiasm of all my staff
and students when they have
permission to take chances.
They have come up with
some cracking projects
‘‘
now have executive coaches.
Even leaders aren’t the finished article.
What’s next in your leadership
development journey?
I’ve been taking opportunities as a
non-executive board member and have
thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I’ve
been in learning for the last 35 years and
want to help others be the best they can
be.
What is the ‘next big thing’ that will
transform your sector?
A balance between digitisation,
flexible working, flexible learning and
the availability of the best technology
and equipment fit for today and
tomorrow’s industry.
What piece of technology do you rely
on most?
My IT team through our excellent
‘Helpdesk’.
What is your favourite social media
platform, and what does it bring to
your business/organisation?
When we closed our campuses in
March 2020, we had six staff using
Microsoft Teams. Within a week that
rose to 600. Today, not everyone’s an
expert – some are still novices – but this
was a driver that was never planned. It
has now resulted in a Digital Academy
to develop content, support and
pedagogy and a whole college
recognition that this is the best platform
for the future.
What needs fixed?
Long-term funding to allow for a
sustainable future and the ability to
make long term decisions.
What leadership advice would you give
your younger self?
Be yourself.
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The Leadership Interview: IoD National Director Louise Macdonald
‘The IoD can lead
the way on the key
issues of tomorrow’
IoD Scotland’s new National Director Louise Macdonald obe talks to
Rob Beswick about the exciting role she sees for the IoD as Scotland
plots a path through the post-pandemic landscape
The first day in any new job is
always interesting. This
month, on her first day in
her new role as National
Director for IoD Scotland,
Louise Macdonald found
herself shifting furniture and unpacking
boxes as she helped the IoD team
relocate to its new offices alongside the
Royal College of Physicians on Queen
Street, Edinburgh.
Wind the clock back to 1990. Back
then Louise was a young journalist
straight out of Napier Polytechnic, as it
was then known. The Burton Daily Mail
had given her a reporter’s job and her
first day was spent interviewing
arguably the world’s biggest pop star at
the time, Kylie Minogue, who was
opening a new ride at the nearby Alton
Towers theme park.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide which
first day has the more impressive ring to
it!
What’s undoubtedly impressive,
however, is Louise’s career since. She
joins IoD Scotland after 25 years
working in the Third Sector, principally
with Young Scot, an organisation she
joined in 2000 and led as Chief Executive
from 2013. The breadth of her work with
community groups and charities, her
networking and overall high profile has
led to more than one senior figure in
Scotland to suggest ‘there’s got to be
more than one Louise Macdonald out
there…’
Louise is also well-known to many
IoD members: a regular attendee and
speaker at IoD Scotland Conferences
and events, Louise has been named as an
IoD Director of the Year twice, in 2016
and 2017. In addition, her work across
sectors has brought her into contact
with business leaders in organisations
from start-ups to SMEs and global players
… in short, a breadth of career that
suggests an ideal fit for leading the IoD.
Leaving Young Scot was a wrench,
however. “When the role at the IoD
became available it took a lot of soulsearching
to accept it,” she says. “I took
myself off to the beach and had a good
stomp up and down the sand while
deciding.”
Her dilemma was understandable, as
Louise has given over two decades to
Young Scot and been central to its
transformation from a small organisation
of just five staff into the hugely respected
youth engagement operation it is today.
But making the switch was made easier
by her high opinion of the IoD: “It’s a
privilege and an honour to have been
asked to lead such an organisation; I’m
excited by what the IoD can do for
Scotland and what it can create for its
members and the wider community.”
But how did we get from Kylie to
Young Scot? It sounds like journalism’s
loss…
“I loved being a journalist; I am a huge
advocate of a free press and know that it
has a really important role in reporting
the truth and holding power to account.
But over time I started to feel uneasy
with the things I was asked to do. I felt
we were overstepping the mark as far as
intrusion into private space was
concerned. I was asked to do things that
did not chime with my personal values.
If you like, the ‘ethics’ of the press
clashed with my own values.”
That’s not to say that along the way,
Louise didn’t enjoy the job. “I was very
idealistic – you know, knowledge is
power, and all that. I had some great
jobs, starting with the Burton Daily Mail
in Staffordshire. I was thrown in at the
deep end: court cases, local news
stories, music reviews…” and
interviewing Kylie in a scrum of Fleet
Street pressmen, all after their own
scoop. “It was great,” she recalls.
What followed was a rapid climb up
the press ladder with stints at a shortlived
start-up disruptor newspaper in
Scotland, the Sunday Scot, shift work
with the Sun and the Mirror in Scotland
and roles at the Derby Evening Telegraph
and Newcastle Sunday Sun. But by then
the dissatisfaction with the ethics and
culture of the newspaper world had set
in, and a fresh challenge was needed.
“I came back to Scotland and was
unemployed for a while. On a whim I
took on some volunteer work at a
Citizens Advice Bureau, and just loved
it. The brilliant bureaux manager, Ann
Adshead, saw something in me. She
made sure I had full training and plenty
of scope to get involved with everything
the CAB did.
“I loved the diversity of the work and
felt it was a better fit for my personality
and goals.”
Continued on page 12
10
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“It was a wrench to leave
Young Scot but it’s such
an honour and a privilege
to be asked to lead the
IoD... I’m excited by what
it can do for Scotland...”

The Leadership Interview: IoD National Director Louise Macdonald
Continued from page 10
What followed was a perfect
education in how grassroots bodies
could work to improve the lives of the
communities they serve – lessons that
were to prove crucial later at Young
Scot. “The breadth of CAB work was
amazing. I remember one day I sat for
hours with a woman whose niece had
died. She was lost in the bureaucracy
and paperwork of the death, sorting
out the funeral and tidying up her
niece’s affairs. She was in floods of
tears, just so desperate for help, for
someone to listen to her. It was really
challenging.
“Ann Adshead had a rule: if you’d
spent time with a really difficult case
like that client’s, you had two hours
away from challenging problems, just
to give you some time to get back in
the right place. I went to see the next
client: it was a woman asking whether
Musselburgh had a Dolly Parton Fan
Club! You couldn’t make up the
contrast between the two requests.”
Good news, there was one… bad
news is, I’ve checked. I fear it is no
more…
As well as organising the social lives
of Country & Western fans, Louise
learnt other vital lessons. “I was
talking to potential funders,
encouraging them to support projects,
training other CAB advisors and
writing community action plans. It
was a job every bit as diverse as
journalism – and I loved it.”
More responsibility followed as
Louise set up a volunteer centre from
scratch and helped communities build
and manage their own projects and
launch social enterprises. It was clear
that the Third Sector was a perfect fit
for her energy and enthusiasm.
She joined Young Scot in 2000,
reporting to its founder Marcus Liddle,
first as Communications Manager,
then deputy CEO before being asked to
head it up in 2013. Most people would
think that two decades is a long time to
be with any one organisation, but
Louise doesn’t see her time at Young
Scot in those terms. “Every day was
different. It helped that my role and
responsibilities grew but the way we
operated and the services we supplied
changed completely over the years.
When I arrived there were five staff
and everyone was uncertain as to its
primary focus.
“Slowly we changed the
direction. We established Young
Scot as an independent charity,
grew its services and
membership and made it
Scotland’s pre-eminent body
for young people.”
Louise is most proud of
how the focus of its
work changed to put
young people at the
centre. “I really
honed my passion
for engagement at Young Scot. Too
often young people were the victims of
a bad press – they were always seen as
apathetic to the world around them,
with no energy or drive. Yet when I
went out to talk to young people
directly they were so different to how
they were painted. They were
enthusiastic about getting involved in
their communities, they had energy
and really wanted to make a difference.
They just needed to be listened to and
their ideas taken seriously.”
She discovered that young people
were rarely asked to get involved with
the decisions affecting their lives. “At
Young Scot we made our focus one of
co-production, working with young
people to co-design services for their
benefit. We built a model of how to run
projects that other organisations
could commission to operate and
manage their own services for
young people.”
The transformation
has been incredibly
well received by both
users and funders
alike. Today Young
Scot has a
membership of
710,000 and it
buzzes
with
12
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creativity, energy and innovation – and
will continue to do so now Louise has
left. “Young Scot is in a great place. I
was always very big on succession
planning so it’s in good hands, with a
superb board of trustees to lead it
forward.”
Which takes her to the IoD. “I’m
really excited to be here; it’s a privilege
and a real honour to be asked to lead
the IoD. I can see the role it will play in
helping Scotland’s directors, business
leaders and the wider community
post-pandemic.”
That has to be the first job. “Our
members need a lot of support right
now and the IoD is perfectly placed to
provide it. Our training and
development offer for directors is
second to none and we will be there to
support our members as they play their
part in the recovery.”
Louise is keen to ensure directors
have a voice in governments’ postpandemic
planning. “Scottish
businesses are often small but as a
consequence they are a key part of
their communities. They know what’s
needed if Scotland is going to thrive in
the future. I want the IoD to create the
spaces in which members can share
their experiences, learn from one
another and offer peer support.”
Another immediate focus is the COP
26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow
(from November 1-12). “Climate
change and sustainability are the
issues where we must act now,” says
Louise. “They need to be at the top of
everyone’s agenda. It’s important
Scottish businesses capitalise on the
COP26 focus, whether it is to tackle
their own sustainability issues or to
highlight their successes to a global
audience.”
The IoD Global Conference is an
ideal vehicle for this. To be held online
from September 2-3, it features
high-profile speakers drawn from
around the world to discuss climate
change and sustainability. IoD
Scotland is principal host and
organiser of an event that will bring a
global audience to Scotland. “I’m really
looking forward to the conference,”
says Louise. “It’s an ideal connecting
piece and it’s something the IoD excels
at – bringing people and ideas together,
working with other groups to make a
difference.
“That’s our future as a membership
organisation: to create the spaces for
our members to meet, collaborate and
add value.”
Another issue high on Louise’s
agenda is diversity. “We have to push
harder on the diversity agenda, so that
the IoD in Scotland reflects our
communities and spirit of
entrepreneurship. It’s important we
are honest and understand that the
diversity that does exist within the IoD
in Scotland is not always evident – and
that we have to do much more to
expand that further. We have to create
an organisation where everyone who
opens the door for the first time feels
like it’s a place where they belong.
That’s not true at the moment – but it
will be, we’ll work hard to make sure it
is.”
Louise is also keen to ensure that the
skills, insight and experience of
long-standing members is valued and
maximised, and has already begun
thinking about the potential of
inter-generational programmes. “We
have a wonderful membership who
bring wisdom, experience and insights
into good governance that we’ll never
tire of promoting. ”
She will be leading from the front on
this issue, and can’t wait to get started.
“The IoD has many strengths but a key
one is the events programme and the
networking opportunities that creates.
We’re hoping to have the new IoD
members’ lounge open later in the
summer, and face-to-face training and
events back in the diary by autumn.”
It’s a signal we’re getting back to
normal – touch wood. What’s the first
thing Louise is looking forward to, once
all restrictions are relaxed? “It’s going
to be great meeting friends and family
again. I’ve missed so many people so
much.
“I’m also desperate to travel – by
train, hopefully. I love a good train
journey; some of my best thinking time
comes while staring out of a train
window, watching the world slip by.”
Ah, if Louise could be so lucky (lucky,
lucky, lucky)…
“Climate change and sustainability are the big issues
of our future... they need to be at the top of everyone’s
agenda. It’s important Scottish businesses capitalise
on COP26, whether it is to tackle their own
sustainability issues or to highlight their successes...”
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13

Technical Briefing: IT / Digital matters
Don’t let a lack of culture bring
your computer down
What does it take to build a great company culture that survives an
emergency like the Covid-19 global pandemic? Silicon Valley Bank’s startups
vice-president Flavia Popescu-Richardson, an investor panellist at
Scotland’s EIE21, says this vital commercial area remains misunderstood but
is more needed than ever, finds industry commentator Bill Magee (right)
Scotland received a timely visit from
Flavia Popescu-Richardson,
vice-president for start-ups at
Silicon Valley Bank. The bank is a
subsidiary of US hi-tech commercial
bank SVB Commercial Group, and with
$85 billion in total assets the largest bank
in the valley and one that has helped
more than 30,000 start-ups to date
situated all over the planet.
It became rapidly clear the bank is
strong on any commercial organisation
endowed with ‘compacted company
values’ defining the main pillars of its
uniqueness that signal the way in which
it conducts its core business.
Where culture comes into the
equation is representing governing
principles – crucially, equally shared by
both its leadership and employees. The
trouble is most people still consider such
a pivotal element towards commercial
success as unimportant.
Yet it can, and does, have a real impact
on a company’s performance, its
retention track record plus its ability to
adapt to change. Never more crucial as
we all make our way out of this lingering
coronavirus pandemic.
“A disengaged team will leave
founders staring into the horizon alone,”
according to Flavia. Where in critical
times, excellent leadership and culture
mean an ability to get people to buy into
your strategy. “Not only that, but to do
things with a confident attitude.”
It does take effort – to relay your
thinking, to convince and inspire people
to imagine the potential of their work. “A
shared sense of unity... determines the
success of a company and its ability to
survive.”
Culture permeates the whole company
– its foundations, the way people feel and
think, it creates the medium for
innovation and growth, but if
unchecked, for failure.
In times of challenge, in an ecosystem
when everyone is telling them to cut and
streamline, even the most experienced
founders can fall into a trap – forgetting
that a company is built and led, but also
14
destroyed, by people. Paying extra
attention to how to communicate and to
uphold your values is key.
In a work environment where
employees are involved in key decisions
about the future, they benefit from
leadership support, and the best talent
will thrive applying themselves almost
autonomously to resolve upcoming
challenges.
Bottom line: When founders take care
of their teams, those teams take care of
business.
‘‘
A disengaged team will leave
founders staring into the
horizon alone... in critical
times, excellent leadership
and culture mean an
ability to get people to buy
into your strategy
‘‘
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Work culture in a time of pandemic
Institute Fellow Scott McGlinchey emphasises that there are lessons to
be learned in lockdown, as the CEO of digital solutions specialists
Exception outlines four ways to make remote agile teams more effective.
At the heart of agile working is the idea
of “bringing people, processes,
technology, time and place” closer
together. Clear methodologies and
approaches to facilitate agile team
working all changed with lockdown
when “remote” became the norm.
Many of the Exception team are based
on client sites as ‘Scrum Masters’ – a new
way of working with the potential to
disrupt – in a good way – productivity
levels and delivery outputs. Location
shouldn’t really matter, in theory, when
working agile.
The reality can be quite different. Scott
recounts how most agile teams they
were working with were used to being
located together, attending ‘stand-ups’
at 9.30 every morning, and handing over
stories at each other’s desks.
It became clear that there existed a
real concern over how remote working
would impact the ability of a team to
successfully collaborate and engage with
other teams and stakeholders.
Exception’s Scrum Masters’ four key
principles to overcome any drawbacks,
potential or real are as follows:
Apply structure to your stand-ups
Have a standard set of questions for
each stand-up. Like, what caused you
issues yesterday? What are your aims
today, and is there anything blocking
you?
Make sure your stand-ups
are time-boxed
Scrum Masters were mindful that
stand-up might be the only time some of
the team would speak to others that day,
increasing the risk the stand-up could
lose its structure. Be ready to quickly pull
the stand-up back on track, if there’s any
deviation from focus or too much
discussion on a specific topic, ensuring
stand-ups are short, sharp and on point.
Get the right tools in place
and use them
With everyone working remotely it’s
more important than ever for agile
teams to make use of project
management tools such as Jira. That way
they can effectively manage stories and
sprints, improve sprint planning,
decrease risk of overcommitment on
goals, determine an accurate velocity
rate allowing teams to review scenarios,
and utilise collaboration tools like
Teams to share work and engage with
teams and stakeholders.
Lastly, be prepared
Preparation is key, ie, creating and
distributing document templates before
interactions gives your meetings
structure. Collate and anonymise
themes in the responses using the
templates as a discussion aid to discover
what went well what the team should
continue doing and what can it improve
on.
Bottom Line – Scrum Masters and
their teams work closer together
ensuring projects are delivered on
schedule and to budget for their growing
customer base.
‘‘
Be ready to pull
the stand-up
back on track
quickly if there’s
any deviation
from focus or too
much discussion
on a specific
topic, ensuring
stand-ups are
short, sharp and
to the point
‘‘
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15

Technical briefing: Business advice
Keeping your focus on growth –
and never be scared of failure
Establishing a growth mindset in your
organisation can help develop products,
services and your people, says
Mark Hutchison, CEO Hutchison Technologies
As a director at Dundee-based
technology company
Hutchison Technologies, my
two biggest responsibilities are
our people and the development of our
products. Prior to Covid-19, I might
have said that the other way around, but
over the past year, I’ve come to appreciate
just how important our people are.
I’ve also come to realise that when
you look at things differently – with an
open mindset – you create unexpected
opportunities.
Growth vs fixed mindset
I have always believed in the value of
personal development, but it wasn’t
until I discovered Carol Dweck’s
research on this topic that I started
seeing strong parallels between product
development and people development.
Dweck, a pioneering psychology
researcher, explains that individuals
who believe their talents can be
developed have a growth mindset. They
tend to achieve more than those with a
more fixed mindset (those who believe
their talents are innate gifts). This is
because they put more energy into
learning than worrying about looking
smart.
Nurturing a growth mindset involves
rewarding the effort and process applied
to achieving a goal rather than only
celebrating the successful outcome. Like
how we appreciate iterative progress in
technology innovation.
It would be a mistake to over-simplify
this as ‘celebrating failure’ though, as it
is important to keep the end result in
mind throughout any development
process. Dweck explains, “… outcomes
are still important. Unproductive effort
is never a good thing.”
How to reduce fear of failure in your
organisation
In every part of your business, aim to
celebrate the process more than the
result. If you only measure outcomes
you are encouraging fixed mindset
culture. Be wary of unproductive effort,
though. Praise the effort put into a task
while also providing coaching on how to
improve next time.
And when giving feedback remember
specific praise is much better than
general praise. A meta-analysis by
behavioural psychology consultants
Mind Gym showed, “… descriptive praise
and descriptive criticism leads to much
better growth mindset outcomes than
general praise and descriptive criticism.”
This is an approach we have carried
through to our product development as
well as in how we provide feedback
internally. We see technology as unfixed
and always evolving, and our process
– of trying something new, iterating,
learning and perfecting – has helped us
create new products for our customers.
What I learned from embracing a
growth mindset culture
Applying growth mindset principles
from product development to people
development has taken practice, but
here’s what I’ve learned.
As leaders, we must actively look for
opportunities to praise effort, learning
and improvement; and put processes in
place that codify this as culture across
the organisation.
Results and outcomes are
undoubtedly important but focusing on
these things alone has a cost – people
eventually shy away from truly
ambitious projects due to fear of failure.
So, if you want to create a culture that
fosters limitless potential stop worrying
about failure, start loving the process,
and remember that becoming is better
than being.
16
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‘‘
Cadets focus on
soft as well as
technical skills, a
focus that has
proved prescient as
employers are
finding gaps in the
availability of those
soft skills
‘‘
Air Commodore AC Keeling obe
RAF, Commandant RAF Air Cadets
Where should our businesses
be looking for the new
employees they need? As we
emerge, chrysalis-like and
blinking, into the light of post-pandemic
industry and commerce, the human
capital element of companies is going to
be significant in the minds of leaders: the
need for high-quality, motivated, skilled,
and supportive employees could
scarcely have a more critical context.
Fresh research from the University of
Northampton 1 makes for compelling
reading, concluding that participation in
the Cadet Forces provides young people
with strong ‘self-efficacy’, communication,
leadership and teamworking skills, and
personal resilience, key factors that give
them enhanced employability.
If there is one thing that we have all
learned from living through this most
challenging of years , it is that the
self-efficacy of employees is going to be
a crucible of business success, catalysing
the increase in productivity required
across sectors.
Helping prepare the workforce of
tomorrow
We in the RAF Air Cadets anticipated
society’s need for a skilled young
workforce and the opportunity to make
our contribution to their work-readiness
some time ago. We set out to provide
training to our young people (boys and
girls aged 12 – 19, and our young Cadet
Force Adult Volunteers, aged 20+) that
Feeding the
conveyor
belt of talent
would have a focus on soft as well as
technical skills, a focus that has proved
prescient. Business intelligence
incontrovertibly shows that employers
are finding gaps in the availability of
those soft skills – effective team-working,
personal appearance and smartness of
dress, punctuality, and a ‘can-do’
attitude: all are part of the self-efficacy
teaching that the Air Cadets programme
provides, and the result is enhanced
employability.
There are very active Air Cadet units
in all parts of Scotland, in fact the length
The RAFAC invitation to employers:
“In this, the 80th anniversary year of
the RAF Air Cadets, may I please
commend our young people to the
Institute’s members and invite you to
seek more information at
www.raf.mod.gov.uk/aircadets ”
and breadth of the UK, all delivering the
same training-programme to our young
people and expressed in the ‘Cadet CV’
– the combination of school experience
and demonstrable evidence of what our
young people do in their spare time
shows ‘the whole individual’ and their
worth to society and to the employment
world.
Individual skills are taught in the
overall context of how to work in teams:
we have current and former Air Cadets
involved in every field of human
endeavour imaginable – in medicine,
nursing, law, accountancy,
manufacturing, service-delivery,
insurance, personnel, technology, the
life sciences.
Learning what effective teamwork
looks and feels like, and understanding
the need to ‘get the job done’ is a mark
distinctive of what the RAF Air Cadets
has to offer and employers are
increasingly beginning to recognising
the opportunity.
‘What is the Social Impact and Return on Investment resulting from Expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK?’ (Final Report by The University of Northampton on
research conducted between 2016 and 2020 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, May 2021)
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17

IoD Scotland Branch news
Our branches, working for you
The IoD in Scotland remains resolute in its efforts to
support both its members and the broader Scottish
economy. On a local level, our branches work hard to
further support our members and promote the values
of the organisation, encouraging entrepreneurial
activity through good governance and responsible
business practice.
There have been some changes to the make-up and
structure of our branches over the last year, and we
wanted to use this opportunity to make sure you
know more about some about our branch and their
chair.
More information on our branches and their
ambassadors can be found HERE (click):
If you would be interested in becoming an
ambassador for your local branch, please contact the
appropriate branch chair.
We’re driven by what our
members want from us
Name:
Company:
Role:
IoD Branch:
Julie Ashworth
BroadReach Ltd
Managing Director
Edinburgh
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself in
five words: Optimistic, pragmatic, curious,
confident, decisive ... and kind (I know that’s
six!!)
What motivates or inspires you? Young
people, goals, difficult things, challenges and
people who make me laugh.
What value does the IoD membership
bring you? The cross-sector networks and
great people keep me match fit on
governance, excellent research and advice...
What should members in Edinburgh
expect from the Branch this year? Largely
we are driven by what our members want us
to do ... so they can expect lots of
opportunity to talk to us. For a start, join
our LinkedIn group. It’s at
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13932480.
Representation and dialogue with both
council and government, blended local
networking events, to meet other directors ....
to connect, to develop and to influence!
What is one thing that other IoD members
might not know about you? I’ve sailed
round the world ... and I’m really enjoying
cycling right now.
Julie Ashworth
Contact Julie at:
chair.edinburgh@iod.net
COP26 puts our focus – rightly – on Net Zero
John Anderson
Contact John at:
chair.glasgow@iod.net
Name: John Anderson
Company: Strathclyde Business School
Role: Portfolio Chair and
Head of SME Growth &
Board Development
IoD Branch: Glasgow & West of Scotland
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself in
five words: Connected / energetic /
passionate / collaborative / strategic.
What motivates or inspires you? Working
with ambitious business owners who have a
clear purpose and live their values.
What value does the IoD membership
bring you? The sense that with the support
of our peers we can make a difference to
our businesses and to society.
What should members in Glasgow and
West of Scotland expect from the Branch
this year? With COP26 on our patch, we will
be focusing on the practical things that we
can all do as owners and directors to help in
the race to Net Zero.
What is one thing that other IoD members
might not know about you? I used to work
for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin
Welby – when he was Corporate Treasurer
at Enterprise Oil.
I learned so much from my time with this
very humble man and was ultimately not
surprised at his change of career.
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Let’s meet, share stories and support each other
Neil Bradbrook
Contact Neil at:
vicechair.centralscotland
@iod.net
Name: Neil Bradbrook
Company: Ahead Business Consulting
Role: Managing Director
IoD Branch: Central Scotland
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself in
five words: Passionate; sharp; honest;
change-making; engaging
What motivates or inspires you? Everyone I
speak to, whether public, private or third
sector, is passionate about delivering value
for their clients.
They are true experts, but usually we can
bring a fresh perspective that makes a huge
difference. I get a kick from helping our
clients. It feels really good when their
passion and our expertise combine to
create something truly special.
What value does the IoD membership
bring you? The calibre of IoD members is
second to none – the opportunity to engage
with such successful leaders and business
people is unparalleled; in no other
membership organisation can you swap
stories and learn from such inspirational
people.
What should members in Central Scotland
expect from the Branch this year? We have
some exciting and exclusive Masterclasses
with inspiring leaders in Central Scotland to
hear their Leadership Journeys – you’ll get
to meet them in person, hear their stories
and ask your own questions.
We’ll also have branch meet-ups – remote
at first of course, but then, we hope, in
person – so you’ll get to meet your fellow
local members and build new relationships,
leveraging the power of the unique
membership we have at the IoD.
And there will be a unique members’ day
out in the summer, where you can meet
fellow members in an informal setting,
taking advantage of the beautiful landscape
we have in Central Scotland... watch this
space!
What is one thing that other IoD members
might not know about you? I once played
Danny Zucco in a local production of Grease
– yes, this was back when I had hair!
Getting results that matter makes the difference
Sarah Downs
Contact Sarah at:
chair.aberdeen@iod.net
Name: Sarah Downs
Company: Doqaru Ltd
Role: Director
IoD Branch: Aberdeen
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself in
five words: Purpose driven and people
focused.
What motivates or inspires you? I’m
motivated by helping other people to get the
results that matter to them and really make a
difference.
I have a nursing background which has
given me a transferable skillset that I still use
on a daily basis.
What value does the IoD membership
bring you? To sum it up in one, director
development. I have been a director of two
companies and a non-executive director in
the third sector. I am always looking to learn
and develop.
Becoming a director is a big responsibility
and if you get it right you can make a
difference, not only to your own business,
but to the economy. I also enjoy networking
with like-minded professionals and the
professional services support available.
What should members in and around
Aberdeen expect from the Branch this year?
I look forward to meeting and engaging with
local directors to see how the IoD can
support them as we move forward to build
back.
What is one thing that other IoD members
might not know about you? I recently
co-authored a book, Purposeful People,
which is an anthology written by 20 business
leaders. The project is not-for-profit and
provides funds to four UK charities. The
book went to No1. on Amazon in the
Business & Entrepreneurship category on
launch day.
Thanks, Mark
Many thanks go to Mark McCue, the
outgoing Chair of IoD Aberdeen, for his
contribution to the IoD, both regionally
and nationally, over the past six years.
See overleaf for branch chairs for
Highlands & Islands, South Scotland and Fife & Tayside
WWW.IOD.COM
19

IoD Scotland Branch news
Our branches, working for you
Real network, not a sales environment
Name: Donald Forsyth
Company: Saffery Champness LLP
Role: Partner
IoD Branch: Highlands & Islands
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself in
five words: Impatient, sociable, musical,
focused and attentive.
What motivates or inspires you? A desire to
provide a great service. I want to provide a
service that I’d like to receive. I’m interested
in leadership and enjoy reading on the
subject as well as business and political
biographies.
What value does the IoD membership bring
you? Ability to share ideas with a peer group
of like-minded people – the opportunity to
learn from others. It’s a real network, not a
sales environment.
What should members in the Highlands
and Islands expect from the Branch this
year? Excellent events with business leaders
from within and outwith the region which
will give them the opportunity to ask direct
questions and learn from their experiences.
What is one thing that other IoD members
might not know about you? Back in the day
my band had singles played on Radio One,
and before accountancy I was a retail
entrepreneur – I became a Chartered
Accountant by accident!
Donald Forsyth
Contact Donald at:
chair.highlands@iod.net
A more inclusive IoD is the goal
Name: Paul Houlden
Company: College Development
Network
Role: Chair
IoD Branch: South of Scotland
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself
in five words: ‘A doer not a sayer’
good leadership and governance.
What should members in the South of
Scotland expect from the Branch this
year? Innovative thinking in terms of
bringing a much more inclusive IoD to a
very widely distributed membership.
Paul Houlden
Contact Paul at:
chair.southscotland@iod.net
What motivates or inspires you?
Successful people aspiring to be more
successful.
What value does the IoD membership
bring you? Understanding of the need for
What is one thing that other IoD
members might not know about you? I
relax tying flies for salmon fishing – and
then using them successfully
Drive to support each other is strong
Name: Ian Collins
Company: Bank of Scotland
Role: Area Director
IoD Branch: Fife and Tayside
Tell us about yourself. Describe yourself in
five words: Dad, competitive, driven,
sensitive, direct.
What motivates or inspires you? Having a
fresh challenge – be it work related or in my
personal life. Recently I cycled 1,000
kilometres in the month I turned 50 just
because some people said I couldn’t do it,
including the highest cycling climb in the UK.
Each day while working at home I’ve been
trying to read a different thought leadership /
business article just to expand my horizons.
Some of the most insightful views come from
unusual places. Read, read and read more.
What value does the IoD membership bring
you? The network of people you get to meet
and chat to who all want to help each other
across the country is superb.
What should members in Fife and Tayside
expect from the Branch this year?
Restrictions permitting, we’ll hold three
face-to-face networking sessions / site visits, a
MSP digital meet up and a meet the
committee session.
What is one thing that other IoD members
might not know about you? I wanted to be a
pilot growing up but given I was/am scared of
heights it was never going to work.
A bungee jump over a pub car park a few
years back didn’t do anything to cure the fear.
Ian Collins
Contact Ian at:
chair.fifetayside@iod.net
20
WWW.IOD.COM

IoD Scotland Events
Make your business part of the solution
to the world’s greatest challenge
IoD Scotland is excited to host a virtual
global conference for all IoD members
and the wider business community on
the theme Connecting the World:
Tackling our Global Challenges
Together, as we look to move out of the
chaos created by Covid-19 and face up
to the threat of climate change.
The conference is being held online
on 2 & 3 September 2021 and will
explore how organisations can step up
their responsibilities to build
sustainable businesses for a fairer,
greener world.
The theme and timing of the IoD
event are not accidental, as it comes just
weeks ahead of the United Nations’ vital
Climate Change Summit in Glasgow
(COP26, from 1-12 November) which
will look to set new international
standards on emissions and
environmental performance, in a bid to
halt the climate emergency created by
global warming. Many experts believe
COP26 could be our last chance to set
the world on a pathway to avoid a future
catastrophe.
At the IoD Global Conference we will
ask a simple question that chimes
perfectly with the agenda at COP26: Our
fragile planet is under threat: how can
business be part of the solution that
saves it?
Speakers
To help us answer this question we
have gathered together a world-class
line-up of speakers to illuminate our
discussions and provide their own
expert insights into this crucial topic.
Drawn from the spheres of politics,
civic action and business, they include:
• Rt Hon David Miliband, President &
CEO of the International Rescue
Committee, and former UK Foreign
Secretary
• Dr Rachel Sibande, Senior Director,
Country Outreach, Digital Impact
Alliance, and founder of Malawi’s first
technology and innovation hub
• Douglas Lamont, CEO of innocent
drinks, who has led the company on its
journey to becoming the largest chilled
drinks brand in Europe
• Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu, founder and CEO
of IntelliDigest. With a PhD in
environmental engineering, her
Edinburgh-based company addresses
the sustainability challenges posed by
food waste.
These are just our first four confirmed
speakers, all of whom will discuss the
key issues from their own unique and
varied perspectives. More speakers will
be announced over the summer, and
the event itinerary will include Q&A
panel sessions with the principal
speakers and opportunities to interact
with your fellow delegates in our online
Global Conference Speakers
Rt Hon David Miliband
President & CEO of the International Rescue Committee,
and former UK Foreign Secretary
David Miliband’s role with the IRC resonates at a global level, and his insight will be invaluable in
framing how the UK can tackle the enormous humanitarian and economic challenges that we
face. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives
are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. In
more than 40 countries its dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care, education
and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.
In an average year the IRC provides 1,474,900 children with schooling and education
opportunities, reaches 1,621,000 people through its efforts to raise awareness about human
rights, protection and gender-based violence, provides 1,756,800 people with clean water
infrastructure and reaches 19,259,700 people with health education services and treatment.
22
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Speakers
Dr Rachel Sibande
Senior Director, Country Outreach,
Digital Impact Alliance
Rachel Sibande is a digital
development specialist.
She established Malawi’s first
technology and innovation hub –
mHub, which incubates and
accelerates emerging innovative
entrepreneurs.
Rachel has led deployment of big
data for development demonstration
models in Africa and has extensive
experience managing technology-led
development projects in digital financial services, public health,
agriculture, disaster management and elections monitoring in
more than 14 countries.
Douglas Lamont
CEO of innocent drinks
Douglas Lamont’s experience
at innocent drinks will outline
the opportunities and
challenges of growing a global,
truly sustainable business
outside the UK, from the
perspective of a company that
grew from nothing to become
a household name on the
strength of its tasty drinks
sourced with maximum
concern for the environment. Douglas will also talk
about his work as co-chair of the Better Business Act,
which is aiming to change UK law to make sure every
single company in the country puts balancing people,
profit and planet at the heart of their purpose and the
responsibilities of their directors. More on Better
Business Act at https://betterbusinessact.org/
chat facility. We are also looking forward
to input from Gen Z; we wish to ensure
that young people take their rightful
place where these key issues are being
debated.
Other contributors – including you!
What will make this Global Conference
stand out will be the input from our
delegates, who will be drawn from the
IoD and beyond its membership. This is
an interactive event that will give you the
opportunity to showcase how your
organisation’s actions are promoting
sustainability and environmentally
friendly business policies.
And these won’t just be voices from
large multinationals: the call to action to
defeat climate change is often loudest
among smaller enterprises, and all
voices at the conference will carry equal
weight.
So whether you are a young
entrepreneur running a start-up, the
owner of a family business, the CEO of a
charity or an NGO, working within the
public sector or a director of an SME and
large corporate, this is a unique platform
from which you can learn, be inspired
and engage with what will be the key
issue of the future.
The IoD Global Conference will
reinforce the message that if climate
change and sustainability aren’t at the
top of your boardroom agenda now, they
must be in the future.
Delegates and speakers alike will be
bound by a desire to move from rhetoric
Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu
The issue of food waste is truly alarming in
western societies and Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu will
highlight how society might reduce this
burden on the planet’s resources, by using
engineering solutions to address the
challenge.
As the Founder and CEO of IntelliDigest
Ltd, Dr Kanu is leading the company on a
mission to empower global food
sustainability, eliminate food waste and
zero hunger.
to collaborative action and to actively
engage in the need to find solutions
today for our world of tomorrow.
This will be two days of outstanding
CPD in a forum that will stimulate
debate, encourage peer-to-peer learning
and offer practical policies for the future.
This collaborative conference is open to
IoD members and other business
individuals who value being challenged
and the opportunity to make connections
so that new ideas can flourish.
Rates
The cost of this two-day online
conference is £40 + VAT for IoD
members, £60 + VAT non-members.
For 10+ tickets, please
contact conference@firstcityevents.co.
uk for discount rate.
Got a question, want to know more or
interested in sponsorship opportunities?
Contact conference@firstcityevents.co.uk
Sponsorship
We have partnership opportunities
for organisations interested in
sponsoring this high-profile global
conference.
We understand that sponsors are an
essential part of any successful event
and we work hard to create bespoke
partnerships that provide real and
tangible benefits.
Please contact Joyce Lamond at
conference@firstcityevents.co.uk or
call 07711 432745.
Follow the story and get instant updates
on new speakers at:
Book your
places now.
Click here
WWW.IOD.COM
23

Director of the Year Awards
Let’s celebrate the leaders who made
a difference during a tumultuous year
“Winning awards isn’t
just a nice thing to
have; it helps open
doors and gives you a
presence you didn’t
have before.”
Poonam Gupta
IoD Scotland Director of
the Year Awards 2021 are
now open for entries!
2020
...
was a tumultuous year. Directors faced
extraordinary, ever-changing situations
that required bold, often difficult,
decisions to ensure organisations
withstood the challenges, staff were
supported and client and stakeholder
needs were met. Innovative and resilient
directors have enabled their companies
to survive and be ready to take
advantage of future trends. These
directors should be applauded, and
what better way than by entering the
IoD Scotland Director of the Year
Awards, which celebrate leadership
talent, success and achievement.
Who can enter?
These cross-sector awards are open to
all directors or equivalent level, whether
or not IoD members. They are FREE TO
ENTER. There are 12 main categories as
well as regional awards.
Whatever the size of your business,
whatever the sector (private, public or
third), whether you are a young
entrepreneur, long-established director
or NXD, these Awards are for you.
How to enter
You can enter the Awards at
https://directoroftheyear.
awardsplatform.com/
Submissions comprise six general
criteria questions and two categoryspecific
questions. If entering more than
one category, you can replicate your
general criteria answers.
The judging panel recognises that all
sectors are likely to have been disrupted
by Covid-19, so this will be taken into
consideration when assessing entries;
the panel will be looking at a range of
criteria as well as long-term goals.
Why enter
• Outstanding directors should be
applauded and their achievements
recognised – not just to say well done, but
so others can learn from your success.
• Awards are good for you, your team,
your clients, your stakeholders and your
business – as multiple award winner
Poonam Gupta told the IoD Conference
in 2019, “Winning awards isn’t just a
nice thing to have; it helps open doors
and gives you a presence you didn’t
have before.”
• IoD Scotland works with all finalists
to maximise publicity across traditional
and social media
• Increased profile benefits your
business strategy
Award categories
There are 12 director categories (see
panel below) and you will also be
automatically entered into your
Regional category, based on business
address (see panel).
You can see the questions in a PDF
accessed on our Awards page
https://www.iod.com/events-community/
regions/scotland/director-of-the-yearawards
Award categories
n Agility & Resilience*
n Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
n Family Business
n Innovation
n Sustainability
n Large Business
* new for this year
n SME Business
n Non-Executive
n Public Sector
n International
n Young
n Third Sector
Regional Awards
n Aberdeen & Grampian
n Central Scotland
n Edinburgh & Lothians
n Fife & Tayside
n Glasgow & West of Scotland
n Highlands & Islands
n South of Scotland
2021 Director of the Year Judging Panel
Chair of the 2021 Judging Panel: Theresa Shearer, Group CEO, ENABLE Group. Theresa will be joined by: Timothy Allan
(Tim), Private Equity and Property Entrepreneur / President, Scottish Chambers of Commerce; Shirley C Campbell,
Director for People, Scottish Water; Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations;
Poonam Gupta OBE, Founder & Chief Executive, PG Paper Company Ltd; Mike Kane, Partner, Head of Business Law,
Turcan Connell; Aidan O’Carroll, Chair, IoD Scotland; Professor Robert Raeside, Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt
University; and Professor Heather McGregor CBE, Executive Dean of Edinburgh Business School.
Other judges will be appointed over the summer.
24
WWW.IOD.COM

Awards Timeline
Deadline for Entries: 23 September 2021
Live Online Awards Ceremony: 9 December 2021
Click the IoD
logo for
full details
Making a Nomination
If you would like to nominate a colleague or client for an
Award, click the logo to complete a brief nomination form.
They will then be contacted and invited to submit an entry
(only a completed entry can be considered for an award).
Why not nudge your talented friends, colleagues and clients to enter?
Sponsors and partners
IoD Scotland is pleased to be partnering with
key organisations to deliver the Awards.
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is
the national membership body for Scotland’s vibrant
voluntary sector. We champion the sector, provide services
and debate big issues.
Our mission is to support, promote and develop a confident,
sustainable voluntary sector in Scotland. Along with our
community of 2,000+ members, we believe that charities,
social enterprises and voluntary groups make Scotland a
better place.
We influence governments on policy issues, create jobs for
young people and support organisations to embrace and
promote digital capacity and inclusion. We also help with
day-to-day support, like affordable office space, learning and
development, access to funding and information and support
to help people set up and run their organisations. We publish
Third Force news and run the Scottish Charity Awards and
The Gathering.
W: www.scvo.org.uk | @SCVOtweet
Turcan Connell
Turcan Connell is one of the UK’s premier private client firms
with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. We
command a unique position by providing clients with an
integrated set of legal services alongside a complete range of
tax advice.
Our success is due to the firm’s continued focus on meeting
the needs of individuals, families, charities, entrepreneurs and
family business owners. We believe that this joined-up,
interdisciplinary approach of combining legal and tax skills
and expertise really sets Turcan Connell’s solicitors apart and
enables us to provide the very best advice and counsel to our
clients.
W: www.turcanconnell.com | @TurcanConnell
“There are many awards out there, but to get an
award from the IoD, which is seen as the global
leader in terms of directorship, is very special...”
Marshall Dallas, 2020 SME winner
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government believe that Fair Work sits at the
heart of our ambition to move toward a wellbeing economy
and is central to supporting economic recovery and renewal.
Fair Work is an investment in everyone for everyone, and can
improve organisational reputation and recruitment, reduce
staff turnover, and contribute to inclusive workplaces with a
richness of talent and a diversity of ideas that can help
increase innovation and productivity.
Our vision is for Scotland to be a Fair Work Nation by 2025,
with people having a world-leading working life where fair
work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for all. To help
achieve this, we are progressing the priorities set out in our
action plans, aiming to drive fair work across the labour market,
address the disability employment gap and gender pay gap,
and focused work to address race inequality in employment.
W: www.gov.scot/policies/employment-support
/fair-work-and-pay/ | @scotgov
Wheatley Group
Wheatley Group is one of the UK’s most dynamic, agile and
best-performing large housing, care and propertymanagement
groups. Its geographic footprint covers 19 local
authority areas in Central and South of Scotland, providing
homes and services to around 250,000 people.
All organisations within the Wheatley Group remain firmly
rooted in their local communities, while drawing on the
strength, size, scale and resources of the Group to contribute
on a regional and national level to affordable housing, care
and community regeneration across Scotland.
W: www.wheatley-group.com | @WheatleyHousing
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh Business School is the largest academic school at
Heriot-Wat University. We offer industry-informed degrees at
undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level in the
subjects of accounting, finance, economics, marketing and
management.
EBS carries out background checks on the Director of the
Year finalists, including Companies House records and other
sources through the Centre for Employment, Work and the
Professions (CREWS). Our research aims to understand
contemporary work and employment, working with
employers, policy makers, trade unions and professional
bodies to improve working lives globally.
W: www.hw.ac.uk/ebs/ | @EBS_Global
If you would like to find out about the partner benefits associated with this IoD Scotland
flagship event, please contact Joyce Lamond on 07711 432745 or joyce@firstcityevents.co.uk.
Got a question? Email awards@firstcityevents.co.uk or contact Joyce or Alice on 07483 812596 and they would be happy to help.
WWW.IOD.COM
25

IoD Scotland Events
Learn more about the IoD – and let us
find out more about you, too
Event: IoD Edinburgh & Lothians
Branch Members Evening
Dates: June 30; August 25; September 29;
October 27; November 24
Time: 4pm-5pm
Cost: Free of charge
Venue: Online
Join the IoD Edinburgh & Lothians
Branch Committee and fellow members
for an informal networking meeting.
Meet the team, learn more about the
benefits of IoD membership and catch
up on future events.
Let us know your views on current IoD
policy, tell us your priorities,
challenges and needs, and
enjoy informnal chats with
your peers.
This event will be held via
Zoom and hosted by IoD
Edinburgh & Lothians Chair
Julie Ashworth.
Event host: Julie Ashworth
If you have a colleague who is
interested in joining the IoD please feel
free to ask them along.
This is an online event. A link will
be sent to join the meeting.
Event manager: Patricia Huth
Phone: 0131 557 5488
Email: Patricia.Huth@iod.com
or click month to book:
JUNE \ JULY \ AUG \ SEPT
\ OCT \ NOV
How to ask the marketing team
the right questions
Event: IoD Online & Eximo Marketing:
Four questions you should ask your
marketing team (and two you shouldn’t)
Date: June 28
Time: 11am-12noon
Cost: Free of charge
Venue: Online
This webinar is for directors and senior
teams. Marketing is often seen as a cost
rather than an investment in a business,
which is partly down to the marketeers
not making their case well enough and
partly down to leadership teams not
asking the right questions.
This webinar will help change that.
Don’t worry if you don’t know your CTRs
from PPCs, if you’re still getting to grips
with Facebook and don’t understand
TikTok, you don’t need to. That’s why
you have a marketing team. But you do
need to know what questions you should
be asking, what good answers sound
like, what reports to look out for and
how you should manage your marketing
team.
This webinar is a jargon-free zone.
About our event host: Andi Jarvis,
Eximo Marketing
Andi Jarvis is the founder and strategy
director of Eximo Marketing, a
marketing strategy consultancy based in
Belfast and Liverpool.
Eximo Marketing solves strategic
marketing problems for our clients. Our
mission is strategy x people =
performance, which means we help
companies find more customers by
creating effective marketing strategies,
fixing under-performing parts of their
campaigns, and providing training to
educate and engage their teams.
Andi has worked with brands
including Expedia, Budweiser and
Corona to help shape their marketing
and give their teams the skills to thrive.
Additionally, Andi hosts the Strategy
Sessions podcast, runs a remote
marketing strategy course with the
Executive Education Centre at the
University of Vaasa, Finland, and runs a
fundraising, Friends Of , where
marketeers volunteer to provide
consultations to small businesses to
raise money for Barnardo’s.
Event manager: Chelsea Brennan
Phone: 0289 068 3224
Email: Chelsea.Brennan@iod.com
or click the
logo to book
Andi Jarvis
IoD Glasgow & West
of Scotland Meet-Up
Date: Tuesday, June 22
Time: 12.30-1.30pm
Venue: Online
Cost: Free of charge
Join the IoD Glasgow & West of
Scotland Branch Committee and
fellow members for an informal
networking meeting.
This event will be held via Zoom
and hosted by IoD Glasgow & West
of Scotland Chair, John Anderson.
If you have a colleague who is
interested in joining the IoD, please
feel free to ask them along. To
attend, contact the event manager,
who will provide a joining link.
Event manager: Patricia Huth
Phone: 0131 557 5488
Email: patricia.huth@iod.com
or click the logo to book
Spotlight on the
Middle East
Date: Monday, July 5
Time: 6pm-7pm
Venue: Online webinar
Aldermen Alastair King, Chair of
IoD City of London, will be putting
the questions to Simon Penney, HM
Trade Commissioner for the Middle
East, in a Q&A session on business
opportunities in the region. Simon
was appointed to his role in 2018
after many years in banking. This
event is sponsored by Rathbones.
Event manager: Polly Buckley
Phone: 020 8142 8835
Email: london@iod.com
or click the logo to book
26
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Welcome to
IoD Director
Development
programme
Event: IoD Online Introduction
to the Virtual Certificate
Date(s): September 9, December 2
Time: 9am-11.30am
Cost: Free of charge
This UK-wide event offers a bite-sized,
informative session on how to kick start
your professional development journey
with the IoD.
Have you been considering how you
can enhance your impact and
performance as a director? Do you want
to gain the latest tools and techniques
from expert practitioners who have a
wealth of experience in board rooms
across the globe?
If you answered “yes” then this may be
the most useful session you take this
year. We warmly invite you to find out
more about our professional
development programmes and how they
are being delivered in today’s virtual
environment.
Whether you’re a newly appointed
director, aspiring to a seat on the board,
or want to improve performance with
fresh insight, the IoD Certificate in
Company Direction, Level 9 (SCQF)
qualification will equip you with the core
knowledge and awareness needed to
function effectively as a director.
As the only institute in the world to
offer qualifications for directors under
Royal Charter, influential figures from
business and beyond continue to
recommend IoD professional
development programmes for executive
and non-executive directors.
The session will be interactive
Session hosts
DAMAN CLARK CDir
Damon Clark was a founder of the
Brandwidth Group an International
Marketing Services business with
offices in Windsor, London and
California. An experienced dealmaker,
Damon specialises in creating new
businesses and value through startups,
merger, joint venture and
acquisition. Damon is a Chartered
Marketer and Chartered Director and
regularly lectures on leadership.
Key points
Overview of:
n The Role of the Director and the
Board
n Finance for non - Finance
Directors
n Leadership for Directors
n Strategy for Directors
In addition, an alumni Chartered
Director will give their thoughts and
experiences of the IoD director
development programme, and we’ll
discuss the programme schedule,
costs and exam process. there will
be plenty of opportunities to ask
questions.
featuring a Q&A with the course leader
and Chartered Director and will also
include a teaser activity from one of the
Certificate in Company Direction
modules.
Programmes can be taken individually
or as part of the full Certificate, forming
the first step towards the Chartered
Director journey. You will discover also
what it means to be a Chartered
ROBERT A VARLEY DSc CDir CMet
Robert is a consultant specialising in
weather and climate risk, working with
the World Bank, the Green Climate
Fund and government weather services
across Europe and beyond. He spent 35
years with the Met Office, working in a
variety of roles culminating in four
years as Chief Executive, 2014–2018.
Robert is a Chartered Director and
Ambassador for Chartered Directors in
South West England.
Director, and will have the opportunity
to hear direct experiences from a member
of our Chartered Director alumni.
From practical pointers about our
examination process, learning outcomes
from our four modules and the
opportunity to ask questions about our
virtual platform, you can expect to finish
the session having a comprehensive
understanding of our Virtual Certificate
Programme.
Most importantly you will understand
its invaluable benefits to your
development as a director, and how that
reach can extend beyond you to the
boardroom, your organisation and its
stakeholders.
The session will begin with a teaser on
the roles and responsibilities of a
director- to get you thinking!
We look forward to welcoming you to
this friendly and informative session.
Event manager: Natasha Ure
Phone: 0131 460 7681
Email: Natasha.ure@iod.com
or click logo
to book SEPT
or click logo
to book DEC
DEBORAH MORTON-DARE
Deborah is a Chartered Accountant
who specialises in financial and
strategic management training for all
levels of financial background. She
started her professional career in
corporate finance, gaining experience
in a variety of corporates and financial
institutions, before setting up and
running several businesses. She has
also held numerous financial advisory
roles over many years.
WWW.IOD.COM
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Members
IoD Scotland
Helping you Connect, Develop
and Influence
Did you know as a full IoD member* you get...
Free business advice,
research and information
Find out more at www.iod.com/services/information-and-advice
Business Information
25 enquiries to the Business
Information Service
Four sessions with our
business advisers
Directors’ Advice
25 calls to our legal helpline
and 25 calls to our
tax helpline
As an IoD member, you have access to top professional
researchers through the IoD Business Information service.
They can provide you with valuable information on topics
ranging from market forecasts and industry trends to trading
abroad and employee salaries.
Key details
1. Free and exclusive service to you as an IoD member
2. Accessible from all over the world by email or phone
3. Up to 25 enquiries* per calendar year with 30 minutes of
research time on each occasion
4. Bespoke answers within 24 hours or soon thereafter during
exceptionally busy periods
*According to your membership package
No matter how well connected you are, sometimes you need
independent and confidential business advice from a
specialist.
The Directors’ Advisory Service provides IoD members with
just that, free of charge. Our expert advice covers issues from
raising finance to board appointments and shareholder
disputes.
Key details
1. Exclusive to IoD members
2. Free, independent & confidential advice on a vast range of
issues
3. Advice is given by appointment either in a face-to-face
consultation at 116 Pall Mall or over the telephone, depending
on adviser availability
4. Up to four appointments per calendar year, 30-45 minutes
each.
* Full Members have full access to IoD Business Information and Advice services.
Associate members have access to our digital business library, guides and archive of research and reports only.
Policy Voice
Make your voice heard on key business
issues: join the IoD Policy Voice team.
See https://www.iod.com/news/
influence-government
Latest campaigns and news, see,
https://www.iod.com/news/our-experts
Support for you and your business
The IoD is proud to launch its new Sustainable Business Hub. It brings
together all the IoD’s sustainability related events, news, educational
content and other initiatives occurring across our community into a single,
easily searchable location.
Check it out now at:
https://www.iod.com/news/sustainable-business/
30
WWW.IOD.COM

IoD Members’
Professional Benefits
Programme
The IoD has a host of carefully chosen, specially negotiated
discounts on key services for IoD members
The Professional Benefits Programme
covers a range of products and
services that we know add value to
your IoD membership.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Ensure you are protected against
claims from unhappy clients.
Office Insurance
Save five per cent on policies covering
you against damage on your business
premises, such as through flooding or
fire.
Cyber and Data Risks Insurance
Save five per cent on policies
protecting you against data breaches,
viruses and other attacks from
hackers.
Personal Private Health Insurance
10 per cent discount on Bupa By You
health insurance
Car and Van Hire
Save 10 per cent on global car hire and
get free membership of Hertz’s VIP
membership scheme, the Gold Plus
Rewards Five Star
Home and Contents Insurance
Save 12.5 per cent for the life of our
policy.
Private Client Insurance
If you have a high-value home and / or
contents, this IoD offer can save up to
five per cent on bespoke insurance
cover in the first year.
International Payments
The IoD’s International Payments
Service, provided by WorldFirst, has
now expired. Call the IoD membership
team on 020 7766 8866.
Busines Sales, Acquisitions and
Strategy Services
Whether you are buying or selling a
business, careful preparation and
expertise is critical to success. Find out
how the IoD can help.
To access all of these
discounts and services,
click the IoD logo right.
HOTEL OFFERS
We are delighted to be able to offer exclusive, members-only
discounts at a number of leading hotels across Scotland, with sites
in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen as well as across the Highlands.
For a full list, contact natasha.ure@iod.com.
Non-executive director jobs
and recruitment
In association with Nurole, we’re
helping IoD members to find their
next board-level role or their next
board-level hire.
Nurole is changing the way boards
hire great people. Their tech-driven
platform works better for
organisations and candidates, with
an 85% placement rate.
See https://www.iod.com/services/
iod-preferred-programme/directorlevel-jobs-and-recruitment
For more on IoD services, see www.iod.com
116 Pall Mall update
The IoD’s iconic London headquarters,
116 Pall Mall is now open for meetings – all
in line with government guidelines, of
course.
Tables must be booked in advance.
Members and non-members can also book
a socially-distanced meeting room for
larger numbers.
For more details, click on the
logo right
A London address,
courtesy of the IoD
Raise your company’s profile with a
prestigious London address at 118 Pall Mall.
Do you need a central London office
address but you don’t want to pay for a
physical space with ever increasing rent?
Do you want the mail and call handling to
be the least of your worries? IoD Virtual
Office can offer you and your business all of
that and so much more!
Click the logo right for more details.
Useful links
The IoD website has a host of interactive
guides to the latest support packages
available, as well as advice and recent
webinars on a host of topics that can help
business leaders plan a route through the
pandemic. To see the latest information on
any of the topics below, simply click the
IoD logo:
IoD Online: Upcoming and
past webinars
IoD Centre for Corporate
Governance: An introduction
IoD policy work: Traffic light
info-graphic
IoD interactive guide:
Support for SMEs
IoD interactive guide:
Support for Directors
IoD interactive guide:
Support for Self-employed
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