Who are we?

As a worldwide association of members, the Institute of Directors (IoD) provides a professional network that reaches into every corner of the business community. Our membership spans the whole spectrum of international business leadership, from the largest public companies to the smallest private firms.

Membership of the IoD is individual - each member joins the IoD in his or her capacity as a director. Members receive a variety of benefits including information, advice, training, conferences and publications to help them maximise their potential. They also have an influential organisation on their side - representing their concerns to government - and at their side - providing professional business support, wherever it is needed.

All members have access to facilities in the heart of London and across the UK in the following cities: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Nottingham and Reading plus by special agreement, IoD members can use the exclusive facilities of France-Amériques, a private members' club in the heart of Paris and Le Plaza Hotel in Brussels.

As the world's most experienced and long-standing organisation advocating director professionalism, the IoD in the UK has received numerous requests over the years to assist and support the start up of affiliate institutes who have benefited from the kudos, reputation and extensive experience of the IoD whilst maintaining an independent stance. The international interest has led to the formation of IoD International, the Institute's global network of IoD branches and affiliates.

IoD in the South East



The South Region of the Institute of Directors was created in April 2004 by the amalgamation of its South Central and South Eastern Regions. It comprised the Branches of: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey Downs, Sussex, West Surrey and West Thames with members spread over this geographical region. In September of 2006 the region was extended to include Milton Keynes and a new Branch formed to better service members in that area.

Within IoD South, which now stretches from Banbury in the north to Dover in the east, there are nearly 15,000 members.

About the South East

The South East region encompasses 19 county and unitary authorities and 55 districts, stretching in an arc around London, from Thanet in the south-east to the New Forest in the south-west and to Aylesbury Vale and Milton Keynes in the north-west.

While it is without a single dominant urban centre, the region is home to two cities with populations of around 250,000 (Medway and Brighton and Hove) and five cities with populations of greater than 100,000. The South East is home to over eight million people in some three million households.

Economy

The region makes a major contribution to the UK economy, accounting for 14% of total UK Gross Value Added (GVA). GVA measures the contribution to the economy of each individual producer, industry or sector in the UK.

On a European basis (2001 figures) the South East ranks 15th of the EU's 86 regional units (including accession states).

The South East also compares favourably with other English regions on indicators such as income, with household disposable income 9% above the national average. The South East, East of England and London are the only regions with incomes above the national average.

In broad terms the South East economy can be categorised as being advanced, high cost, high income, broadly based and service oriented.