IOD Scotland on mission to improve the performance of company directors

IOD has helped thousands of company bosses and hundreds of firms to develop strategic leadership, thinking and planning

The IOD in Scotland has been delivering the professional development of directors for more than 20 years.

In that time, it has helped thousands of directors and hundreds of organisations to improve their strategic leadership, thinking and planning.

The IOD operates all over Scotland, from Lerwick to Dumfries. It runs sessions for directors in the private, public and voluntary sectors and there has been profound impact on the changed behaviours of individuals who have participated in training, as well as the governance of their businesses.

The chartered director programme offers certificate, diploma and chartership levels, and every year sees 100 participants in Scotland and over 1,000 in the UK.

The positive impact on business performance has been significant, and many graduates have fundamentally changed the way they work.

They have deployed new strategies and methods of leadership across their businesses and, in turn, have reaped the benefits, seeing strong results and experiencing healthy business growth.

Governance is vital to ensure business is running the way it should be, not just across compliance and delivery, but also following the direction given by the board and directors.

Good governance enables organisations to develop and grow, and to undertake opportunities like innovation and internationalisation, retaining a clear focus on what is genuinely important for them.

There are many interesting practical examples of how such clarity of purpose has impacted upon businesses.

For example, one company changed the efficiency and effectiveness of a control room in a logistics business, while another improved the succession planning of a venerable Scottish family business.

It has guided the expansion plans of a malting business, and made the board of a small charity focus on its income streams to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisation.

Often, directors just need an opportunity to explore their options in an environment well suited to change and growth – that’s what the IOD strives to provide through its training.

The most popular sessions on offer at IOD Scotland covers the role of the non-executive director (NXD).

It offers practical advice from experienced portfolio nonexecutive directors, and underlines the critical requirements and appropriate skill set required to be a successful NXD.

Other well-attended courses offer education for the role of trustee, and the role of chair, as well as around the various aspects of the board.

In addition, the IOD offers a range of personal skills courses including the art of strategic questioning and transformational leadership.

The IOD is rightly proud of the impact these inputs have made to many of Scotland’s leaders and businesses over the years.

We continue to seek opportunities, often working with partners like Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to enhance the impact and long-term outcomes of Scottish businesses, improving the performance of the nation’s directors.

David Watt.