Chartered Director

Nothing prepared me for the baptism of fire that was co-founding and leading a start-up. From developing product and go-to-market strategies to building teams, finding customers, raising finance, and keeping the business afloat, it was an intensely challenging and often isolating experience.

By the end of the second year, I had reached my limit. I was frustrated by endless meetings with accountants and advisers who spoke what felt like a different language and had different priorities. I realised I needed the confidence and knowledge to engage with them on their level—and that’s when I discovered the Chartered Director programme offered by the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Starting the Chartered Director journey

The Chartered Director qualification, recognised as the Gold Standard for board-level competence, is a rigorous programme combining study, examination, and professional evaluation. It equips Directors with the expertise to navigate today’s complex business challenges. Inspired by this, I began my journey with the IoD.

Returning to professional development after years away from the classroom was daunting, but I was ready to be stretched and challenged. In August 2004, I started attending courses alongside peers from diverse industries, all driven by a common goal: becoming better Directors and improving their organisations.

By August 2005, I had completed the full suite of modules and decided to pursue the Diploma in Company Direction. Sitting my first exam since 1998 was nerve-wracking, but after weeks of preparation—including a dedicated week off work to cram—I passed and earned the Diploma. The result was transformative: I not only made better business decisions but also finally understood the jargon of accountants and advisers.

Taking It One Step Further

Earning the Diploma motivated me to aim higher and pursue full Chartered Director status. This required submitting a detailed portfolio of my work and attending a panel interview with two Chartered Directors.

The interview, held in January 2006, was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It was an in-depth exploration of my career, decisions, and actions as a Director. By the end of the session, I felt confident but anxious about the outcome. Four weeks later, I received the letter: I had become the youngest Chartered Director at that time.

The impact was immediate and profound. I restructured my company, turning it from a loss-maker into a profitable business. I made difficult decisions, put the right people in the right roles, and created a self-sustaining organisation. The product pipeline grew, and we became early adopters of cloud technology, taking major customers ‘all-in’. I also expanded my experience by taking on non-executive roles.

Lessons Learned

One of the most valuable lessons was discovering that many others shared similar challenges. Engaging with peers and sharing experiences helped me become a better leader. The IoD’s Company Direction Programme proved invaluable, and I’d recommend it to anyone joining a Board or starting a business. The insights and skills it imparts are tools you’ll draw on for life.

In 2015, I joined Amazon Web Services (AWS), where I applied the skills honed during my start-up journey to some of the world’s largest companies. That same year, I was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a recognition of my commitment to excellence in governance and leadership.

In 2023, the IoD featured my story in their Inclusion and Diversity blog, reflecting on my journey and its broader impact.