My journey to becoming Chartered

My journey to becoming a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors began in February 2018. My business, Bagnalls, required me to undertake the module, “The Role of the Director and the Board” prior to my being appointed as a statutory director. This requirement underlines the value this 150-year-old business places on good governance, and understanding the responsibilities associated with being a director.

I valued the high-quality content of the course, delivered by an expert in the field, and chose to enrol on the remaining courses within the certificate program, with Finance for non-Financial Directors proving particularly useful. Bringing all the learning together was the Diploma course. My abiding memory was of being asked to chair a mock Board meeting. As a new Director, this was very daunting but ultimately helped to build my confidence through the feedback provided.

The 3-hour exam to complete the Diploma qualification was particularly gruelling for me; by the time of undertaking this in November 2018, I was nearly 8 months pregnant with my second child. My exam results preceded my daughter’s birth by just a few days.

I valued the flexible approach of the IoD in offering the programme. By being able to take each module independently, and by having detailed workbooks to supplement my learning, I could balance my family and work commitments alongside studying. Being able to study locally was also critical to me.

A combination of maternity leave and leading the HR and health and safety response to Covid-19 meant progressing with my Chartered Director journey was not a priority following the awarding of the Diploma.

Continued Professional Development remained important to me as I was mindful of the need to demonstrate appropriate competency in my role. I therefore completed professional health and safety qualifications prior to becoming the responsible director in this area.
I finally registered for the Chartered Director interview to take place in February 2024. This was by far the most challenging part of the process for me. I have now had three professional membership interviews with different organisations and experienced the most in-depth questioning with the IoD.

Reflecting on the benefits I believe the programme has brought to me and to Bagnalls, the focus on what good governance looks like influences my work. The IoD have also helped me to keep my knowledge up to date on ever-changing risks and legislation, informing my contributions to Board discussions.

I believe that the CDir qualification provides others with assurance of competence. There are few other job roles with such high levels of responsibility where so little training is required. Recent corporate scandals show the impact of poor and unethical decision-making by directors, in some cases costing lives. The rigour associated with the Chartered programme backs up the IoD’s assertion that it is the ‘Gold Standard’ of Director training. Perhaps if all directors had to be suitably qualified, scandals would be rarer.

Attending a ceremony to recognise new Chartered Directors in October 2024, when I saw my name on the plaque at 116 Pall Mall for the first time, underlined the prestige associated with the qualification.  I was also immensely proud to be named as the winner of the Chartered Director category at the IoD’s Director of the Year England Awards 2025.