Charlotte Valeur steps down as IoD Chair, John Watson appointed Interim
The Chair of the Institute of Directors, Charlotte Valeur, has stepped down from the role after almost two years.
Charlotte has informed the Board that she feels unable to continue to devote the required time and commitment that the role demands. The IoD recently announced proposals for a significant restructure to deal with the impact of Covid-19 on the organisation.
Charlotte said: “In recent months it has become clear that the IoD is going through a stage in its evolution where it is likely to need increasing levels of hands on involvement from its Chair, and more than was anticipated by either myself or the Council when I took on the role.
“I will find it difficult to provide this amount of time during the pandemic being resident in Jersey and in a vulnerable household. It is with regret therefore that I have decided to step aside to allow the IoD to appoint a chair with more time available.”
The Board, which has reluctantly accepted her resignation and will now begin a search for a successor, is very grateful to Charlotte for the substantial contribution that she has made to the turnaround and continued success of the Institute.
John Watson, a member of the current Board, and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, has been appointed Interim Chair to oversee the organisation until a successor is appointed.
John is chief executive of Crosswind Developments and has over 20 years’ experience working with FTSE-100 and global companies. John joined Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) as an Operating Principal in 2013 and Chief Commercial Officer of their investment, Edinburgh Airport Limited. John works with a number of GIP investments worldwide.
Prior to joining GIP, he was managing director of Lloyds Banking Group’s £50bn SME Lending portfolio. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PwC Corporate Finance, John joined 3i plc.
John is the chairman of Intelligent Growth Solutions, a Trustee of the Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation and a non-executive director of the Scottish Event Campus Ltd. He is a member of the ICAS Governing Council.
