Our experts

Dr Roger Barker, Director of Policy and Corporate Governance

Dr. Roger Barker is Director of Policy and Corporate Governance at the Institute of Directors (since September 2020) and a member of the IoD Management Team. He is also Honorary Associate at the Centre for Ethics and Law at University College London, and a regular speaker on corporate governance issues at a variety of leading universities and business schools.

Previously, Dr. Barker was Managing Director of Governomics Ltd, a corporate governance advisory firm. And during an earlier stint at the IoD, he served as Director of Corporate Governance and Professional Standards (2008-2016).

Dr. Barker is the author of numerous books and articles on corporate governance and board effectiveness, including a new co-edited volume: ‘The Law and Governance of Decentralised Business Models: Between Hierarchies and Markets’ (Routledge, 2020). Previous books include: ‘Corporate Governance and Investment Management: The Promises and Limitations of the New Financial Economy’ (Edward Elgar, 2017), ‘The Effective Board: Building Individual and Board Success’ (Kogan Page, 2010), and ‘Corporate Governance, Competition, and Political Parties: Explaining Corporate Governance Change in Europe’ (Oxford University Press, 2010).

A former investment banker, Dr. Barker spent almost 15 years in a variety of equity research and senior management roles at UBS and Bank Vontobel, both in the UK and Switzerland. He has a doctorate from Oxford University and taught Politics at Merton College, Oxford (2005-2008). Until January 2020, he served as a UK Member of the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels.

Hugo Legh, Lead Media and Communications

Hugo joined the Institute of Directors in April 2021 as the Media and Communications Lead.

Hugo was previously a public affairs director of a multinational PR and communications agency, predominantly advising businesses on engaging and influencing the policy agenda.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Politics from the University of Edinburgh.

Alex Hall-Chen, Senior Policy Advisor

Alex Hall-Chen joined the IoD as Senior Policy Advisor in October 2021. She is a specialist in employment, skills, and sustainability policy, having previously worked in education research and most recently as a Policy Advisor at the CBI.

She holds a BA in Politics, Psychology, and Sociology from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford.