The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a business organisation for company directors, senior business leaders and entrepreneurs with approximately 30,000 members. It is estimated that 78% of FTSE 100 companies have an IoD member on their board or in a senior management position. Founded in 1903, it is the UK’s longest running organisation for professional leaders.

In 1906, the IoD was awarded a Royal Charter to support, represent and set standards for business leaders nationwide. Royal Charters are reserved for bodies that work in the interests of the public and represent pre-eminence, stability and permanence in their field. It remains an acknowledgement of the continuing work the IoD does to promote professionalism in business and sits at the forefront of everything they do as an organisation.

The IoD is located in a Grade I-listed building at 116 Pall Mall, which is owned by the Crown Estate and which has been used as a location for many films and TV programmes, including Downton Abbey and The Dark Knight.

According to its mission statement, the IoD stands for free enterprise, entrepreneurialism, wealth creation and good corporate governance, representing the views of businesses and its members in the media and with government.

The IoD has experts on tax, infrastructure, law, Europe, corporate governance, financial services, technology, education, skills and regulation, and campaigns on all of these issues. Members of the IoD gain access to bespoke market intelligence, tailored tax and legal support, exclusive member-only events along with development courses and events.