Institute of Directors Scotland tees up deal for Gleneagles leadership conference

The Institute of Directors and The Gleneagles Hotel have agreed a deal which will see the IoD Annual Conference be held at the hotel for the next two years. The 2016 IoD Conference, which will be held on 3-4 November, is focused on ‘The Business of Leadership’.

David Watt, executive director of the IoD in Scotland said: “The deal with Gleneagles has delivered a real boost to the Conference programme, while maintaining the high level of value our members look for. Our members like to travel to a central location, and the additional ‘cachet’ that the iconic Gleneagles Hotel brings, along with the world-class speaker programme we are lining up, will be a real draw for Scotland’s business leaders from all sectors.

“Over the past few years, Conference attendance has grown every year, underlining that directors, in good times or bad, benefit from spending time and sharing ideas with their peers. There is no other Conference at this level in Scotland, and participating in high-level sessions with some of the UK’s most accomplished business leaders reaps benefits for corporate Scotland. Add to that such a majestic location, and what business leader could fail to be inspired to succeed?”

Confirmed keynote speakers from across the business spectrum include Sandy Begbie, chief people officer at Standard Life plc; Dr Lesley Crane, knowledge, innovation and technology specialist; Bob Keiller, former CEO of Wood Group, and new Chairman of Scottish Enterprise; and Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite.

Over a pre-conference supper on Thursday 3 November, former Chair of VisitScotland, Dr Mike Cantlay, will deliver a Leadership Lecture entitled ‘Leadership: Born or Built?’, followed by a panel debate, when Dr Cantlay will be joined by Alasdair Gardner, Bank of Scotland and Angela Vickers, Apex Hotels Ltd. Delegates will also participate in director development workshops delivered by portfolio NXD Nick Kuenssberg OBE and Mike Willis, Head of Board Development with the Institute of Directors in Scotland.

Bernard Murphy, managing director of The Gleneagles Hotel, said: “We’re delighted to announce this deal with the IoD, and to be working together to facilitate a first-class event for Scotland’s business leaders.

“Gleneagles has a global reputation for hosting successful events – including the G8 Summit of world leaders in 2005 and the 2014 Ryder Cup – so conference participants can expect an exceptional level of service to complement what will be an engaging programme.”

He added: “The hotel has been an inspiring venue for almost 100 years and our facilities offer the perfect setting for business leaders to come together, network and share best practice. We look forward to welcoming delegates in November.”