Introduction
Ever since its formation in 1903, the Institute of Directors (IoD) has been at the forefront of British business. The Royal Charter, received just three years later, charged the IoD with promoting free enterprise, lobbying government on behalf of our members and setting standards for corporate governance in the UK.
The IoD has always spoken its mind, without fear or favour. Sometimes that has meant saying things political leaders do not want to hear; at others, it has meant criticising leading companies or businesspeople whose actions may be damaging the reputation of UK entrepreneurialism.
The IoD has hosted prime ministers and presidents, royals and raconteurs, artists and adventurers. But, as its history, now well into its second century, demonstrates, it has always done so with the best interests of British business in mind.