Latest news with #IoD
Leader Live
a day ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Behind-the-scenes visit to JCB Transmissions Wrexham
Organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) North Wales, attendees toured the facility in Wrexham and received expert insight into the company's role in manufacturing components for carbon efficient machinery from JCB operations director Craig Weeks. Guests were equipped with professional leadership knowledge as Craig shared his career journey with the multinational manufacturing business, as well as highlighting key decisions made to increase business growth and efficiency. Read more: Five lawyers at North Wales firm celebrate qualifying as solicitors He also revealed practical ways the firm invests in its workforce by utilising training opportunities provided by the North East Wales Skills Academy (NEWSA) and Gatewen Training Services. David Roberts, chair of North Wales IoD, believes the event spotlighted JCB's innovation and contribution toward Wales' net zero by 2050 target. He said: "From its latest hydrogen generator technology to its production of gearboxes, axles, and transmissions systems, it's evident that JCB Transmissions is paving the way as a leader in creative, cutting-edge renewable technology. Read more: From homeless mum to award-winning Flintshire business owner "Moreover, I think the experience gave guests the chance to understand ways in which they could make more informed investments and the long-term benefits of upskilling members of their respective teams. "Seeing business leaders and directors attend from across Wales was also very encouraging and I hope they feel more empowered to excel in their industries." Speaking about Craig, an IoD North Wales Skills Development award winner, David added: "I think there is a lot to learn from his leadership. Read more: Tutoring company launches to help learners study in the Welsh language "His careful, considered allocation of company resources, alongside his career path from axle and gearbox technician to operations director, demonstrates great creative direction and tenacity. "Overall, building a supportive and welcoming culture in any firm is essential for longevity and it's something I think JCB Transmissions showcased to all attendees." • To become an IoD volunteer, contact David Roberts on 07899 910 293. For more information and to view upcoming events on the IoD in North Wales, visit
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Leading the leaders; changing times for directors
How times have changed. When Kirsten (KP) Patterson was appointed chief executive of the Institute of Directors (IoD) eight years ago, one of the very first issues she encountered was a conversation around whether climate change was a governance issue. Now the IoD-hosted initiative Chapter Zero NZ — which is part of a global climate governance initiative that spans 50 countries and is focused on supporting directors to take action on climate change at a board level — has nearly 3000 members. Ms Patterson was in Dunedin this week to speak about ethics at an IoD Otago-Southland branch event, and to attend its annual chartered member and fellows dinner where — alongside Ranfurly-based director Dawn Sangster — she spoke about governance and leadership. Both women were made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year's New Year's Honours for their services to governance and women. The level of change happening in the world — which was impacting all organisations, whether not-for-profits or listed companies — was so broad, and boards had to be across that complexity and breadth of issues, Ms Patterson said. As chairwoman of the Global Network of Directors Institutes, she had the opportunity to see the global trends via the more than 20 countries represented in that organisation. Not surprisingly, the big issues at present included geopolitics, trade and globalisation, but the approaches to those challenges from different countries and industry groups was quite different. Cybersecurity was the number one issue keeping directors awake at night but, in New Zealand, where IoD members were surveyed each year, that was not in the top three. The big issue coming through very clearly here was economic conditions, then there was also climate change and culture. New Zealand was the first country in the world to introduce laws around climate-related financial reporting and a lot of focus and attention had been put into the issue. While cybersecurity was not hitting that top three of major issues — although it would be for some boards and industries — she would like to see more focus from boards on it. Boards also needed to lean into the conversation around ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the IoD had developed nine principles to help boards to ethically adopt and effectively use AI. Ms Patterson is chairwoman of the Brian Picot Ethical Leadership advisory board at Victoria University. There was specific research in ethics, particularly in the business space, and it was great to have snapshots of what was happening, she said. While there were lots of conversations about purpose and values, there were still not enough organisations having conversations about ethics, she believed. Governance was critical, whether it was for sports clubs or corporates, involving people being relied on to come together and make judgements and choices. The space had changed. For things that were known and certain, for which there were answers, then management would take care of that. Boards were left with the "tricky stuff". Governance provided intellectual stimulation. It required curiosity and a lot of different skills to bring diversity of thought. That was what she loved about IoD communities which were diverse — much more than what people might think — and there were some great people coming through the governance pipeline, she said. "I genuinely believe the difference between whether you're building yourself a job as business owner or building something you could sell is about governance. The business needs to be able to live after you and continue after you," she said. Workload for directors was surveyed by the IoD, and that had peaked around the Covid-19 pandemic. There had been an increase in the hours involved which included work outside board meetings, whether that was the likes of site visits and engaging with staff, or engaging with stakeholders. Boards were much more visible now and, because of the complexity of issues, the amount of learning and thinking and preparation required was greater. It was not about just reading the board papers on the plane on the way to a meeting, she said. Using a sporting analogy, Ms Patterson said boards were a team sport. Directors like Dunedin's Trish Oakley, recently elected national president of IoD, were individual high performing athletes who were training at home. Then those athletes came together to perform as a team. It was an exciting time to be involved in with governance. While directors needed to be comfortable with risk and responsibility, there was an opportunity to see inside so many different organisations and help shape their strategy, culture and framework — "and New Zealand's better off for it", she said.
Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Rayner's workers' rights bill will damage growth, warn bosses
Angela Rayner's radical shake-up of workers' rights will hurt economic growth, bosses have warned, as companies prepare to slash hiring and curb investment. More than seven in 10 business leaders believe the Government's Employment Rights Bill will have a negative impact on the country's economy, according to a survey carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD). Nearly half said they would be less likely to hire new staff as a result of the reforms to workers' rights. The warning will raise alarm bells for the Chancellor who has said that restoring economic growth is her priority. It threatens to deepen tensions between Ms Reeves and the Deputy Prime Minister, who is overseeing the workers' rights reforms. The pair have already clashed over the direction of economic policy, with a leaked memo recently revealing Ms Rayner was pressing the Chancellor to pursue tax rises instead of spending cuts. Under the workers' rights reforms, employees will be able to claim sick pay from the first day of their illness, instead of the fourth. The Bill will also extend the powers of unions in the workplace, making it easier for trade groups to organise strikes by weakening the thresholds currently needed to trigger a walkout. Sir Keir Starmer previously made the shake-up, dubbed Labour's 'new deal for working people', as a core part of his manifesto in the lead-up to his victory in the general election. However, it has sparked concern from business chiefs. The survey by the IoD found that more than half (52pc) of company bosses said they would be more likely to invest in automation as a result of the Bill. A quarter of business leaders polled said the Bill made it likely that they would make redundancies in a further blow to the labour market. The IoD, the so-called 'bosses' union', represents 20,000 business leaders across the country, ranging from entrepreneurial small ventures to major corporations. Already, many of those businesses have reported a slowdown in hiring since the Chancellor announced an increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage in the autumn Budget. The rise in labour costs has caused many businesses to cut jobs or scrap hiring plans. Alex Hall-Chen, a principal policy adviser for employment at the IoD, said: 'Government has yet to show that it is listening to the concerns of business about the potential unintended consequences of the Bill as it is currently drafted. 'If there is a silver lining, it is that more employers will invest in automation and other measures which may improve the UK's stagnating productivity levels.' Targeted changes The IoD has called on the Government to make targeted changes to the Bill, which it believes would soften the negative impact of the reforms on hiring. One of its proposed changes includes keeping the existing thresholds for statutory recognition of trade unions. Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said: 'If Labour ministers had worked in business they would know their choices mean that British workers will lose their jobs to robots and foreign workers. 'Whilst all Labour governments leave unemployment higher than they found it, this time they are actually passing laws to guarantee it.' The warning over the worker rights reforms comes after MPs warned that Britain's high energy bills and poorly coordinated efforts to fund business growth was hitting growth and prosperity. MPs on the business and trade committee said: 'The UK's high electricity prices are damaging the ability of UK businesses to compete, attract investment and decarbonise.' It pointed to evidence from Nissan that the company's Sunderland plant has higher energy bills than any of its other car factories in the world. Liam Byrne, chairman of the committee, said: 'The evidence we've heard from the nation's leading industrialists, scientists, economists and trade unionists is that this moment of history will be lost if the Chancellor's new investment is not matched by a re-making of the British state for a new economic era.' The MPs also called on the Chancellor to act to stop many of the best entrepreneurs from leaving the country for lack of funding to support their rapidly growing businesses. A government spokesman said: 'We've consulted extensively with business on our proposals, and we will continue to work closely with employers to ensure new laws work for them while putting money back into the pockets of working people.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rayner's workers' rights bill will damage growth, warn bosses
Angela Rayner's radical shake-up of workers' rights will hurt economic growth, bosses have warned, as companies prepare to slash hiring and curb investment. More than seven in 10 business leaders believe the Government's Employment Rights Bill will have a negative impact on the country's economy, according to a survey carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD). Nearly half said they would be less likely to hire new staff as a result of the reforms to workers' rights. The warning will raise alarm bells for the Chancellor who has said that restoring economic growth is her priority. It threatens to deepen tensions between Ms Reeves and the Deputy Prime Minister, who is overseeing the workers' rights reforms. The pair have already clashed over the direction of economic policy, with a leaked memo recently revealing Ms Rayner was pressing the Chancellor to pursue tax rises instead of spending cuts. Under the workers' rights reforms, employees will be able to claim sick pay from the first day of their illness, instead of the fourth. The Bill will also extend the powers of unions in the workplace, making it easier for trade groups to organise strikes by weakening the thresholds currently needed to trigger a walkout. Sir Keir Starmer previously made the shake-up, dubbed Labour's 'new deal for working people', as a core part of his manifesto in the lead-up to his victory in the general election. However, it has sparked concern from business chiefs. The survey by the IoD found that more than half (52pc) of company bosses said they would be more likely to invest in automation as a result of the Bill. A quarter of business leaders polled said the Bill made it likely that they would make redundancies in a further blow to the labour market. The IoD, the so-called 'bosses' union', represents 20,000 business leaders across the country, ranging from entrepreneurial small ventures to major corporations. Already, many of those businesses have reported a slowdown in hiring since the Chancellor announced an increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage in the autumn Budget. The rise in labour costs has caused many businesses to cut jobs or scrap hiring plans. Alex Hall-Chen, a principal policy adviser for employment at the IoD, said: 'Government has yet to show that it is listening to the concerns of business about the potential unintended consequences of the Bill as it is currently drafted. 'If there is a silver lining, it is that more employers will invest in automation and other measures which may improve the UK's stagnating productivity levels.' The IoD has called on the Government to make targeted changes to the Bill, which it believes would soften the negative impact of the reforms on hiring. One of its proposed changes includes keeping the existing thresholds for statutory recognition of trade unions. Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said: 'If Labour ministers had worked in business they would know their choices mean that British workers will lose their jobs to robots and foreign workers. 'Whilst all Labour governments leave unemployment higher than they found it, this time they are actually passing laws to guarantee it.' The warning over the worker rights reforms comes after MPs warned that Britain's high energy bills and poorly coordinated efforts to fund business growth was hitting growth and prosperity. MPs on the business and trade committee said: 'The UK's high electricity prices are damaging the ability of UK businesses to compete, attract investment and decarbonise.' It pointed to evidence from Nissan that the company's Sunderland plant has higher energy bills than any of its other car factories in the world. Liam Byrne, chairman of the committee, said: 'The evidence we've heard from the nation's leading industrialists, scientists, economists and trade unionists is that this moment of history will be lost if the Chancellor's new investment is not matched by a re-making of the British state for a new economic era.' The MPs also called on the Chancellor to act to stop many of the best entrepreneurs from leaving the country for lack of funding to support their rapidly growing businesses. A government spokesman said: 'We've consulted extensively with business on our proposals, and we will continue to work closely with employers to ensure new laws work for them while putting money back into the pockets of working people.' Responding to the select committee report, a government spokesman said ministers were working on 'creating the best possible conditions for the private sector to thrive.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Aviva chair appointed president of the Institute of Directors
Aviva Life and Pensions chairwoman Helen Nolan has been appointed president of the Institute of Directors (IoD). IoD, which is the membership body for directors and business leaders, made the announcement at its annual general meeting on Tuesday. Ms Nolan replaces John Reynolds who has held the position for the last two years. Ms Nolan is also a non-executive director of US-listed fresh produce company Dole and of Companjon Insurance, where she chairs the audit committee. READ MORE A KPMG-trained chartered accountant, she has held several senior roles with Bank of Ireland, including group secretary, group chief internal auditor, and divisional finance officer for the capital markets division. 'As the commitment of being a director and business leader evolves and expands, with technological advances driving transformational changes in businesses, IoD will be there to support the needs and concerns of its members,' said Ms Nolan. 'Our ambition is for Ireland to be considered an exemplar of corporate governance. We will continue to instil stakeholder trust and confidence in organisations by educating, informing, and supporting directors and business leaders. 'I would also like to acknowledge former president John Reynolds for his leadership and commitment to IoD Ireland over the last two years. 'I look forward to working with the IoD executive and council in supporting our members while we deliver what directors need to lead in times of ceaseless change. 'By championing innovation, lifelong learning, and good governance we can help shape a dynamic future of Irish business from the inside out.' Mr Reynolds said: 'I would like to express my appreciation of the work and commitment of each of the members of our council and executive during my tenure as president. 'I am delighted to pass on the baton to Helen and watch IoD Ireland continue to go from strength to strength.'
