Lawyers turn towards the Institute of Directors

The economic climate over the last 18 months has been challenging for all businesses, with an increasing need to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The legal profession has not been exempt from these forces with increased pressure to market services and to justify fees. In addition to the wider economic background the legal profession has seen an important change with the introduction of legislation allowing solicitors to establish limited companies and other business structures. Whilst this should bring many opportunities and benefits, including greater flexibility, there are also additional responsibilities that go with running or being a director of a limited company.

The Institute of Directors (IoD) is recognised as being a world leader in providing advice, support and training on the roles, responsibilities and liabilities of company directors and those running businesses. The IoD is an independent, non-profiting making, non-party political, membership organisation which supports and represents business and encourages professional business conduct and integrity.

The IoD offers its members a range of benefits, services and advice to help support them as they navigate the complex and ever increasing range of roles, responsibilities and liabilities they face. Membership offers a portfolio of free and paid for benefits. Arguably the most famous of these is free access to meeting space at 116 Pall Mall, their elegant Grade One listed building in London’s West End. In addition there is a second London premises at 123 Pall Mall as well as a premises in the heart of the City. The IoD also has centrally located meeting space in Belfast, Birmingham, Brussels, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Norwich and Reading. Less well know is the support available on a range of key business topics including: being a director, marketing and sales, finance, strategy and growth and advice on starting up. Members
can access this information in a number of ways.

The IoD’s professional team of researchers will provide business information and research within 24 hours of request up to 25 times a year, in person, over the phone, or via email. This time and money saving service can provide a range of valuable information from market research data, company accounts, guides to business culture abroad or trade journal searches to name a few.

There is also free access to independent specialist advisors who provide confidential one-to-one advice on a range of topics such as raising finance, how to implement a marketing campaign or advice on buying or selling a company. The IoD also offers free business tax and legal advice and has an online member-only resource, selected and organised by their research team, covering topics such as HR, finance and strategy.

The IoD has a strong local network which holds over 50 regional networking opportunities across the UK every month. Members can also network online with a growing memberonly IoD Group on LinkedIn, where over 5,000 members are sharing ideas and advice. The IoD is a diverse and vibrant business community. To find out more about membership and the work of the IoD please visit www.iod.com or call the team on 020 7766 8888.

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