IoD Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Branch Ambassador Introduction
Neil Sampson
Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Branch Ambassador
Q: How long have you been involved with the IoD?
Member 18 yrs & Branch Ambassador 7 yrs to date
Q: Can you tell us a little about your career to date?
Over the last 32 years I have provided capacity building and performance improvement consultancy focusing people and organisations. This includes skills audits, recruitment and coaching in support of individuals and teams, involved in start-ups, restructuring, business transformation, culture change and career transition; all requiring a significant understanding of how people align their talents and motivations with the goals of an organization.
Q: What do you hope to achieve as an IoD Regional Ambassador?
Stimulate debate about the current and future talent management challenges facing organisations, and enable business leaders to share best practice on how to move with the times so that they build sustainable and successful organisations. The IoD provides guidance, training and networks to help enable this and I will act as a navigator to access these resources.
Q: If you could give your 21 year old self some advice what would it be?
You’ll never do another days work in your life if you do something that you’re passionate about, and it will define the value you can deliver to others, so identify what that is as soon as you can. Be your own person – stick to your values and beliefs. Understand the value of purposeful networking and invest time in it. Finally, you might be surprised to find that your parents can give you good advice!
Q: What keeps you busy outside of work?
Networking.
Q: Are there any business related or policy issues that keep you awake at night?
Nothing keeps me awake at night literally, but understanding why the UK has a lower productivity rating than many other leading economies concerns me. Is it short-termism that’s meant we’ve not invested in our people, efficient practices, automation? Also, I’m concerned that it appears that engineering and manufacturing are still considered less worthwhile careers than the Services sector. We need a vibrant Eng&Man sector!
Q: Why do you think business leaders should join the IoD?
The IoD should be a lifetime career development partner from when someone aspires to go into business when they’re at University/College through to when they want a portfolio career (NED, Chair, Advisor, etc) in their later years. The IoD can provide different pathways to membership and flexibility for people to be full or part members aligned to their career. We are the standards body that defines ‘what good looks like’ as far as Directors responsibilities, accountabilities, and behaviours are concerned. It should make a real difference in the marketplace to become a ‘qualified’ Director.