Company: Institute of Directors
Job Title: Chief Governance & Policy Officer
Salary: £120,000 – £140,000 + benefits
Location: 116 Pall Mall, London / Hybrid
About the Institute of Directors (IoD)
The Institute of Directors is the UK’s leading membership organisation for company directors and business leaders. We champion world class standards of governance, support the professional development of directors, and provide a powerful collective voice to influence the environment in which UK businesses operate.
About the Chief Governance & Policy Officer
We are seeking an authoritative, intellectually grounded, and collaborative leader to join our Executive Team as Chief Governance & Policy Officer. This role is at the heart of the IoD’s mission: strengthening UK corporate governance and ensuring directors are equipped to meet the demands of modern board leadership.
As the organisation’s senior governance voice, you will shape the IoD’s governance agenda, lead the IoD Centre for Corporate Governance, and provide expert strategic counsel to the Director General and Board. You will also oversee our policy work, ensuring that policy development is grounded in governance principles, evidence, and member insight.
As Chief Governance & Policy Officer, you will:
Lead the IoD’s governance agenda
- Serve as the IoD’s visible authority on corporate governance, shaping national and international conversations on regulatory trends, director accountability, board effectiveness, and ESG responsibilities.
- Oversee the development and influence of the IoD Centre for Corporate Governance and ensure it remains a respected source of thought leadership, practical guidance, and innovation.
- Produce and commission authoritative governance research, consultations, and resources that support directors and clarify the evolving standards expected of UK boardrooms.
Set strategic direction for governance aligned policy development
- Provide leadership to the policy team, ensuring the IoD’s positions reflect a strong governance lens, robust evidence, and member priorities.
- Drive an integrated governance policy agenda that enhances the organisation’s credibility with policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
- Oversee the creation of timely, relevant, and influential research and advocacy on issues affecting directors and UK businesses.
Act as a senior spokesperson and ambassador
- Represent the IoD across high profile media, parliamentary, regulatory, and international forums, including engagement with bodies such as the FRC, FCA, ecoDa, and GNDI.
- Strengthen the IoD’s role as a trusted, constructive contributor to UK governance and business policy debates.
- Build long term, trusted relationships with government, regulators, senior civil servants, and key partners in the wider governance ecosystem.
Provide organisational leadership
- Lead a high performing team of governance and policy professionals, creating a culture rooted in integrity, curiosity, impact, and member focus.
- Ensure governance and policy outputs meet the highest standards of clarity, rigour, and relevance.
- Collaborate across the IoD, ensuring governance insights inform member engagement, public affairs, external communications, and the organisation’s wider strategic priorities.
What we’re looking for
- A senior leader with deep expertise in UK corporate governance and a strong understanding of how governance intersects with policy, regulation, and business practice.
- A credible spokesperson with experience engaging ministers, regulators, media, and senior business audiences.
- Demonstrable experience shaping governance or policy agendas and delivering influential thought leadership.
- A strategic and values led leader who can inspire teams, build consensus, and represent the IoD with authority.
- An outstanding communicator able to translate complex governance and policy issues for diverse audiences.
Why join the IoD?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the governance conversation at the heart of the UK business community. You will play a central role in strengthening the standards, confidence, and professionalism of directors across the country, helping to build better boardrooms and a stronger economy.
How to Apply
For more information about the role of Chief Governance & Policy Officer, including the full candidate brief, please click the Apply for this Role button. You will be redirected to the website of our search partner, Berwick Partners.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Tom Ewen and/or Lisa Henry at Berwick Partners:
thomas.ewen@berwickpartners.co.uk
lisa.henry@berwickpartners.co.uk
Please submit an up to date CV and a covering statement outlining your interest in the role and your suitability.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 15th March 2026.
If you encounter any difficulties applying, please contact: response.manager@odgersberndtson.com