IOD reputation tainted as Lady Judge resigns

I've been a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) for ten years. I joined the organisation to gain a broader exposure to business when I founded Symplicis - a consultancy firm. However, as with all brands that I associate myself with, it saddens the heart when a negative news story appears...

Today, it was announced that the chairwoman of the IOD and two board members have resigned after a legal report into allegations of racism, sexism and corporate governance failings.

Lady Judge, 71, who faced 41 claims against her, said she was standing down immediately “with great sadness and concern” as the business group was “not an organisation I wish to be a part of”.

She continued to strongly reject the allegations and remained “deeply disturbed by the gross and conspiratorial mishandling of the process”. “The continuing failure to follow the most basic of principles of natural justice demonstrates individuals within the institute have no understanding as to what amounts to good governance,” she said, adding that the IoD’s credibility had been undermined.