Speaking up for business leaders

Policy and governance

The IoD has always spoken out, without fear or favour, on behalf of its members. We advance the case for business in government, parliament, the media and other influential forums. We listen to our members to ensure that our advocacy work is driven by what matters to you.

We work for you

Listen

Our expert advisory groups lead on key issues for UK directors, tapping into member expertise and experience, and listening to their views to gain real-world insights into the challenges UK businesses face.

Engage

Because broad stakeholder engagement promotes collaboration, debate and mutual understanding, we take a multi-stakeholder approach that includes the perspectives of board members, investors, business policy makers, academics, and employees.

Influence

As the UK’s leading voice for business leaders, we represent your views and campaign on your behalf on a range of issues affecting business from trade to taxation, enterprise to education. Add your voice to ours to influence the discussions that matter.

Press Office

We can be contacted 24/7 for comment, opinion and information on IoD policy areas and a wide range of business and economic news in the UK.

Contact us

Policy wins

We listen to our members and engage with the four governments of the UK on key issues that matter to you. These are just a few of our successes.

We advocated for a 9-month statutory probationary period to protect employers’ ability to easily dismiss new hires if they are not up for the job. Previously, there was no statutory probationary period. This change is reflected in the draft Employment Rights Bill published by the government.

We urged the government to commit to a roadmap for business, which clarifies the government’s approach to taxation over the parliament and beyond. This was delivered in the 2024 Autumn Budget.

We advocated for and secured significant adjustments to Labour’s New Deal for Working People proposals - including those relating to zero hours contracts, the right to switch off and day one employment rights - and a commitment to meaningfully consult with business.

We joined with other stakeholders to advocate that assets from dormant bank and building society accounts should be funnelled into organisations tackling social problems in their communities.

We were the first business organisation to make strong representations to government based on member views from Policy Voice surveys regarding the government’s Retained EU Law Bill. We secured a U-turn of the Bill.

Since July 2022, we have been making the case for all investment expenditure to be set against revenue for tax purposes. This measure was made permanent by the Chancellor in the 2023 Autumn Statement.

Expert Advisory Groups

Our expert advisory groups help us convey member issues to policy makers. These groups currently cover; Corporate Governance, Sustainability, Tax, Economy, Entrepreneurship, Future of the Workforce, Tech, Science and Innovation and Inclusion and Diversity.

IoD policy team

Dr Roger Barker

Dr. Roger Barker

Director of Policy and Corporate Governance

Biography
Anna Leach

Anna Leach

Chief Economist

Biography
Hugo Legh

Hugo Legh

Head of Media, Campaigns and Public Affairs

Biography
Alex Hall-Chen

Alex Hall-Chen

Principal Policy Advisor, Sustainability, Skills, and Employment

Biography
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Marc Strathie

Senior Policy Advisor, Devolved Nations

Biography
Emma Rowland

Emma Rowland

Policy Advisor, International Trade

Biography
Sasha Trapani

Sasha Trapani

Senior Press and Policy Officer

Biography
Karl West

Karl West

Senior Consultant, Media Content

Biography

Policy Voice

Have your say with Policy Voice

Individually, it’s hard to be heard. Add your voice to your fellow IoD members to influence conversations about issues that matter to the business community. Join the discussion now.

IoD Centre for Corporate Governance

Promoting collaboration and dialogue

Explore current issues in corporate governance, company stewardship and ESG for the benefit of the business community and wider society.

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