How the Institute of Directors is on a mission to decentralise the UK economy - Natalie Sykes

Just this week, we have appointed a national events manager, Rose Riley, to support the delivery of the IoD’s national and regional events programme.

Some may think that this is an extremely brave decision given the impending impact of COVID-19 on this very important sector to the UK economy.

However, in the times that we live in today where super storms and super viruses may become the norm, we still need to work, connect and develop. The question is more around how do we innovate our ability to keep calm and carry on in times like these.

Back to the role. This is a role that would traditionally be based out of our famous head office at 116 Pall Mall but Rose will be based in the North of England – in fact, at Old Broadcasting House, Leeds, home of the IoD in our region.

It’s quite a departure but one that is necessary, and hopefully the first of many such appointments. It’s an exciting development for us.

The new government places great emphasis on ‘levelling up’ prosperity across the UK, and I’m acutely aware of the need to rebalance the economy so that investment and opportunity spreads out from the capital and across the country.

Our new director general, Jon Geldart, has spent his first few months in the role touring the country, meeting members and laying down plans that will put the UK regions at the heart of his strategy.

Natalie Sykes is the regional director of the Institute of Directors