One of the UK’s most established and well-known director institutions is to consider the results of a major investigation, following allegations of misconduct against its chairwoman Lady Barbara Judge (pictured).
The Institute of Directors (IoD), which represents the interests of more than 30,000 members and has held a Royal Charter for more than 100 years, has been rocked by allegations against Lady Judge over her behaviour towards its staff.
Lady Judge told The Times that she had stepped aside from her role “voluntarily” while she contests the allegations, which have arisen as part of an investigation by law firm Hill Dickinson into the claims. She also reportedly said she had not been given enough time to respond to the allegations.
An IoD statement said it took the allegations against Lady Judge “very seriously”.
“An independent law firm, Hill Dickinson, was commissioned to conduct a full investigation, and the findings have now been passed to the IoD’s board and council.”
Its council will meet to discuss the report this afternoon (Thursday 8 March).
“At all times we seek to embody the highest standards of behaviour and governance. We aim to ensure this process is conducted thoroughly and fairly, and lives up to expectations of the IoD.”
Lady Judge is one of the most widely connected and senior businesspeople internationally. The US-born banker has chaired the Pension Protection Fund, and was named IoD chair in 2015. Among her other roles, she was the first deputy chair of the Financial Reporting Council following its revamp in 2004.
In 1980 she became the youngest-ever commissioner of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.