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“NEDs Reimagined: A post-Higgs review of the role and contribution of non-executive directors” is a landmark report from the IoD’s independent Commission chaired by The Rt Hon. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park. The report calls for a fundamental rethink of what makesboards effective in today’s complex business environment – more than two decades after the influential 2003 Higgs Report first set the blueprint for non-executive leadership in the UK. While the principles of the Higgs Review remain vital, the IoD Commission argues that the time has come for boards to evolve from a model of periodic oversight to one of active, informed, and adaptive stewardship. In this episode, Jonathan Geldart (IoD Director General) andIrene-marie Esser (author of the report) take a look at what the Commission investigated, the key themes emerging from its work, and the implications for boards and non-executive directors in practice.

The policy landscape of 2025 presented a demanding set ofconditions for businesses, with economic and political developments creating persistent uncertainty. For many businesses, much of the year was spent absorbing and planning for the measures announced in last year’s Budget. As these policies began to take effect, director confidence fell to its lowest point on record. In this episode, host Ben Walker is joined by Hugo Legh (IoD Head of Media, Campaigns and Public Affairs) and Anna Leach (IoD Chief Economist) to unpack the defining policy developments of 2025 and their impact on business. Together, they explore why director confidence remained subdued throughout the year, how business leaders are reacting in the wake of the 2025 Autumn Budget, and what support they want to see from government in 2026. They also look ahead to the IoD’s policy priorities for the coming year.

With the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget now unveiled, businesses are already assessing what the new measures mean for them. In this special rapid-reaction episode of the Director podcast, IoD Chief Economist Anna Leach breaks down the key announcements - from headline tax decisions to the policies shaping the business landscape in the months and year ahead.

As the Chancellor prepares to deliver her Autumn Budget on 26 November, her recent “scene-setter” speech has fuelled debate about whether tax rises are inevitable - and whether manifesto pledges on income tax, National Insurance and VAT can realistically hold. With protecting the NHS, reducing national debt and improving the cost of living set as her top priorities, the question now is not if difficult choices lie ahead, but which ones. In this Director podcast episode, host Ben Walker sits downwith Dan Neidle (founder of Tax Policy Associates and one of Britain’s most respected voices on taxation and public policy) and Anna Leach (IoD Chief Economist) to unpack the tax choices and challenges facing the Chancellor ahead of the Budget. Together, they explore the fiscal and political constraints shaping this Budget, what a pro-growth yet progressive tax regime could look like in 2025, and how stability in tax policy affects business confidence and investment.

As artificial intelligence accelerates across sectors andindustries, boardrooms can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Once seen as a technical concern, AI is now firmly a strategic, operational and legal issue, demanding informed oversight at the highest level. In this Director episode, Ben Walker is joined by Dr ErinYoung (IoD Head of Innovation and Technology Policy), Pauline Norstrom (member of the IoD Science, Innovation and Technology Expert Advisory Group, founder and CEO of Anekanta®, and creator of the Anekanta® 12 Principles of AI Governance), and Mario Thomas (Chartered Director, Fellow of the IoD, and enterprise transformation leader) to discuss the evolving role of boards in governing AI responsibly. Drawing on the IoD’s latest paper, AI Governance in the Boardroom, they explore the practical steps directors can take today, from embedding ethical oversight and risk resilience to navigating complex regulation such as the EU AI Act. Together, they address key questions: What does good board-level AI governance actually look like? How can non technical directors challenge complex systems with confidence? And which principles are most urgent for boards to act on now? Full guest bios available on IoD.com

As Parliament heads into summer recess, the Employment Rights Bill continues its journey through the House of Lords, having reached report stage. Meanwhile, the government has released its implementation roadmap, offering a clearer, though still evolving, picture of how these reforms will roll out in practice. With the potential to reshape key aspects of employment law and practice, this Bill is one of the most significant developments for UK employers in recent years. In this episode, host Ben Walker sits down with Alex Hall-Chen, IoD Principal Policy Advisor for Employment, and Jim Wright CDir, International employment law partner at Knights, to unpack what the Employment Rights Bill means for businesses and business leaders across the UK. Together they explore how the Bill has been received by employers so far, what concerns have been raised by IoD members, and whether those concerns have been reflected in the government's approach. And from a legal perspective, they dive into the most impactful changes on the horizon and what organisations, particularly SMEs, should be preparing for now.

On the 19 June, we were delighted to publish the first edition of the new Director magazine. The Summer 2025 edition of Director – HIGH OR DRY: Can Reeves’ growth plan win back business? – features articles including: Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on the government’s plans to boost the British economyAn interview with TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak on productivityIoD Chief Economist Anna Leach on whether the economy is a game of chanceProfessor Andrew Scott on the silver generation and the need for businesses to have an ageing strategyProfessor Margaret Heffernan on the trouble with AIDr Tim Hames on why geopolitical ignorance will wreck your businessIn this episode, the podcast’s host and Director magazine Editor, Ben Walker, is joined by Dr Roger Barker, Hugo Legh and Anna Leach. As members of the IoD Policy Team and the magazine’s Editorial Board, they discuss the contents of the first edition and the thinking that shaped its direction.

As the government prepares to unveil its Spending Reviewthis week, “growth” remains the political buzzword of the moment. But with the UK still struggling to regain economic momentum more than a decade after the financial crisis, are ministers pursuing the right kind of growth—and do they even understand what drives it? In this episode, host Ben Walker is joined by Anna Leach (IoDChief Economist), and Daniel Susskind (Author of ‘Growth: A Reckoning’ (2024), ‘A World Without Work’ (2020) and Research Professor in Economics at King's College London), to explore what growth really means in today’s economy: why it matters, what’s holding the UK back, and whether our current model is fit for a future shaped by AI, automation, and global competition. From the legacy of 2008 to the transatlantic growth gap, we unpack the forces shaping prosperity—and ask whether perpetual growth is even a realistic or desirable goal.

Investor confidence in London’s stock market has hit aworrying low, with fund managers warning the government that sentiment is at “rock bottom.” In a recent Downing Street meeting, industry specialists raised concerns over the state of UK equities - highlighting key challenges such as declining IPOs, a widening valuation gap between UK and US companies, and increasing acquisitions by private equity and foreign buyers. With pension funds consistently reducing their UK equity holdings, a growing number of voices are calling for policy intervention to help revitalise public markets. In this episode, Ben Walker is joined by Mark Austin CBE (Partner, Latham & Watkins and Capital Markets Industry Taskforce member), Julie Shacklady (Director of Capital Markets, UK Finance) and David Trenchard (Founder and CEO, David Trenchard Consulting Ltd) to unpack the state of public listings in the UK – and what this means for businesses, investors, and the broader economy. Together they answer: How can investor confidence berestored? Are UK companies undervalued compared to their global counterparts? And what role could pension funds play in revitalising domestic markets?

On the day of his inauguration, President Trump promised todeliver the “most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history”. True to his word, the first 100 days of his second term have been labelled as some of the most destabilising in the country’s recent past. In our latest Directors’ Briefing episode, the author of ‘Trump II: Why He Won – What It Means For the World’, Tim Hames, and Overton Advisory founder, Michael Martins, join host Ben Walker to discuss how the first 100 days of President Trump's second term are shaping the future of business globally. Together, they examine the implications of tariffs, the restructuring of federal bureaucracy, and the strategic decisions facing UK businesses in this evolving landscape.

In today's rapidly changing world, effective risk management is more crucial than ever for boards of directors. As organisations navigate complex economic and geopolitical landscapes, the ability to anticipate, assess, and mitigate risks can make the difference between success and failure. In this episode, Ben Walker explores the intricacies of risk management with Professor Bryan Foss (Co-Founder and director of the Risk Coalition and Chairman of Hope Macy) and Patrick Dunne (Chair of the Royal Voluntary Service). Both bring a wealth of experience and insights to the table, offering valuable perspectives on how boards can better manage risk. For further information, read these insightful blogs by our guests that complement the episode, and dive into the topics covered a little deeper: ·  ‘Is my board growth or risk focused?’, by Professor Bryan Foss ·  ‘Thinking about Risk - Time to Change’, by Patrick Dunne

Europe's innovation scene has found itself under the spotlight, with many wondering why it's lagging behind the US. Limited funding for startups, a fragmented market, and tough regulations are often blamed. In this episode, Dr. Erin Young (IoD Head of Innovation and Technology Policy) and Professor David Beatty OBE (Professor Emeritus of Strategy, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto) join host Ben Walker to explore this further. Together they discuss cultural attitudes towards risk and entrepreneurship, the impact of regulatory rules, and how quickly tech is adopted. The conversation also covers how people view innovation and technology differently in Europe and the US, and the fear factor around new advancements. Drawing on their experience from different sides of the Atlantic, our guests suggest ways to tackle these challenges and boost innovation across Europe.

In the boardroom, directors often face tough decisions thatbalance competing interests and moral norms - impacting employees, customers, shareholders, and society. These decisions are frequently misunderstood, criticised,and sometimes seen as unethical, potentially harming corporate reputation. Despite their significance, we rarely ask: How are these decisions made? What role do moral norms and identity play? And why do companies sometimes misinterpret these norms so badly? In this episode, Ben Walker is joined by Prof. Dr. Mijinte Luckerath-Rovers (author of ‘Moral Dilemmas in the Boardroom’) and Dr Roger Barker (IoD Director of Policy and Corporate Governance) to discuss ethical challenges in the boardroom and the decisions that often stem from them. The conversation draws on both the findings of Mijinte’s book, and the IoD’s Code of Conduct for Directors.

The UK’s relationship with the EU is in the spotlight this year, as both sides prepare for the review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. And in light of an unpredictable US Administration, the reset of relations is ever more important. But the politics has always been a barrier to real policy change.   In this episode, Tom Bruffato (Director of Policy & Research at Best for Britain) and Emma Rowland (IoD Trade Policy Advisor) sit down with Ben Walker to discuss what can be realistically done to bring the UK and EU closer. The pair both draw on recent polling conducted by their organisations to propose possible solutions - from closer alignment on regulation to a Youth Mobility Scheme to a veterinary agreement.

At the end of November 2024, IoD members were asked to assess the main challenges facing their businesses. Unsurprisingly, domestic concerns ranked high on the list, especially the future outlook for the UK economy and the impact of recent government policy decisions, such as the hike in employers’ national insurance and proposed changes to UK employment law. However, UK businesses must also navigate a bigger picture this year, consisting of global economic trends, geopolitical tensions and technological transformations. In this episode, Dr Roger Barker (Director of Policy at the Institute of Directors) joins Ben Walker to explore the trends, risks and opportunities facing UK business in 2025.