How directors lead in the Trump 2.0 era The first IoD chartered directors breakfast briefing discussed global events, uncertainty, risks and governance

Barker was speaking at the IoD’s inaugural business breakfast meeting for chartered directors, the first of a series of events planned for this year. Called Leading Perspectives for 2025 – Chartered Directors’ Business Breakfast, it was attended by 36 chartered directors.

Jonathan Geldart, Director General at the IoD, gave the opening speech, saying: “A broad awareness of what is happening in the world is very important, so you are able to make sound, sensible judgements.”

He was followed by Barker, who discussed the findings of the IoD’s latest annual policy outlook, Trends, risks and opportunities for business in 2025. The report identifies the big issues it says directors need to be thinking about over the next 12 months: Trump 2.0, geopolitics, the global economy, climate change, trade wars, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and organisational culture.

Barker spoke at length about Trump and how his behaviours and actions have created huge uncertainty and political upheaval across the world. He also talked about the impact that personality politics is having on global affairs, on concepts of leadership and organisational culture. “We are now in a world of negotiations between powers. We thought we had moved to a rules-based system but we are being forced back to the 19th century, a world where those with great power made alliances and did deals.”

Last year, the IoD created its new Code of Conduct for Directors and Barker said it is now needed more than ever to ensure good governance and leadership. For example, the continuing importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), despite Trump ripping up the rulebook. “Organisations have been following the lead and abandoning DEI policies en masse,” said Barker. “Is this a global trend? Our answer is no. If we want a culture that is fit for the future, we have to stick to our principles. Many aspects of DEI contribute to a positive corporate culture.”

The IoD’s Chief Economist, Anna Leach, also spoke, giving an overview of the current economic outlook. “Global uncertainty has spiked again and forecasters have downgraded UK growth for 2025.” Leach shared the results of a recent IoD poll, in which costs and Trump were cited as the biggest concerns by the 140 participating members, compared to the previous poll where taxes topped the list. An improved trade deal with the EU is consistently high on the list.

Sylvia Malo, Content Development Manager at the IoD, shared the Institute’s professional development plans. She also conducted a live poll, asking attendees the question “What percentage of CDirs do you think regularly use learnings from the programme in their current role (daily, weekly, monthly)?” Of those who participated: five said 37%, seven said 58%, two said 72% and one said 93%. Malo then gave the correct answer (taken from an IoD poll last year): 93%, strong evidence to show the lasting value of the flagship Chartered Director Programme for practical professional development.

Malo also asked the room which competencies people would like more CPD content on. AI took the top spot, followed by people. Other contributions included employee productivity, AI pitfalls for boards, horizon-scanning, mental wellbeing of staff, sustainability, collaboration and hybrid working conflicts, demonstrating the wide range of issues directors are grappling with.

The breakfast briefing concluded with an open conversation between Sarah Walker-Smith, CEO of professional services group Ampa and winner of Chartered Director of the Year 2024, and Ben Walker, editor of IoD Director magazine and host of IoD Director podcast. Walker-Smith gained her CDir status last year after 20 years in leadership positions. She was surprised to discover how much she learnt on the programme, despite holding leadership positions for the past 20 years. “I learnt so much from the finance section even and I’m an accountant!”

Walker-Smith chose to take the intensive certificate, completing the programme in just nine months. She said the programme hasn’t changed her, but it has made her think more deeply about the role of governance, how she chairs boards and the role business has to play in society.

She also said the qualification impacted her on a more personal level. “It helped get rid of the imposter syndrome, giving me inner confidence and resilience.”

Before the briefing finished, there was time for people to chat and connect. One delegate, Bernice Woolley, CDir and Managing Director, MGA at EIP Limited, said events like this are really valuable as a chartered director. “They give you some headroom, some thinking time and the space to step back and reflect with a ‘helicopter view’ other than the day-to-day. It’s good for networking and you meet people with the same challenges, even if they are in different industries.”  To find out more about future IoD events, visit here.

To find out more about the Chartered Director Conference in June visit here.