Event

Director Retreat: Building Trust in Business Leadership

Director Retreat: Building Trust in Business Leadership

This event is not just another networking conference!

The Retreat is designed to feed mind, body and soul. Leave โ€˜busyโ€™ at the door, learn from experts in their field, rejuvenate in beautiful surroundings, come away feeling inspired and refreshed.

The event will launch with the theme this year ofย โ€œBuilding trust in business leadership.โ€

In deciding on a theme for the director retreat, weโ€™ve taken inspiration from this yearโ€™s Edelman Trust Barometer Report. For the past 25 years Edelman, a global communications firm, has studied the influence of trust across society โ€” government, media, business, and NGOs. Work done by Edelman has proven that an organisationโ€™s ability to succeed or fail is defined by trust in their mission and leadership, and their industry-leading research explains why. To view their latest report please visitย here.

At a time when โ€œtrustโ€ is at an all-time low, we ask the question could now be the moment for the savvy purpose-driven business leader to emerge with clarity and vision and deliver hope and confidence. And could business supporting business enable a shift and be the driving force to effect positive change? In this increasingly VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex & Ambiguous) world, join us as we navigate rising costs, digital disruption, and workforce evolution, and actively take part in the discussion as we uncover together the key topics shaping the business present and future to get the clarity we need to lead with courage and confidence and rebuild trust in leadership.

Topics addressed will include:

  • Finance (Funding & Grants, Investor Readiness, M&A, Exit Planning, Cryptoโ€ฆ)
  • Talent & Skills (Talent Attraction & Retention, Mentoring, Culture & Psychological Safety โ€ฆ)
  • Emerging Technologies (Digital Disruption, AI, Automation, Big Data, Analytics, Cybersecurityโ€ฆ)
  • Sustainability & Governance (Green Tech, Energy, NetZero, Compliance & Risk, Policiesโ€ฆ)
  • Business & Personal Resilience (Operations Transformation, Productivity, Health & Wellbeing, Leadership Developmentโ€ฆ)

Critically weโ€™ll discover how these topics connect, and leave equipped and enabled to turn insights into action, to rebuild trust in business for business success.

What to expect:

  • Inspiring Fast-Paced Keynote Sessions: Thought leaders and experts from the IoD and industry will set the scene and offer fresh thinking.
  • Interactive Content: Participate in healthy debate, thought provoking panel discussions, and roundtable masterminds.
  • Efficient Networking: Meet like-minded business leaders and innovators who are embracing disruption and reinventing business.
  • A fresh perspective on the โ€˜business conferenceโ€™.

This is a relaxed meeting of minds, with a focus on mind, body and soul. The opening keynote will be delivered by Dr Roger Barker, Director of Policy and Corporate Governance.

This event is created โ€œby directors for directorsโ€, focusing on topics and guidance we need to meet performance and productivity challenges while using innovation to improve business today and build a better future. Access the hotel grounds and take in the fresh air and maybe enjoy one of the giant-sized garden games!

Refreshments will be available throughout the day, and a healthy buffet lunch will be served.

As a bonus, why not stay on after the event close and end the day with drinks and informal networking.

Secure your โ€˜early birdโ€™ reduced ticket rate now – limited to 15 places!

Take the day, explore the topics, and boost your energy. Be ready for whatโ€™s next. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

P.S. Kindly note that the event will be making a donation to the IoD Surrey Branch Charity, the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Service. To view a short video about KSS please visitย here.

P.P.S. Sponsors are being sought to support the event and participate in the content delivery. To discuss the available sponsorship opportunities please contact: The Surrey & Berkshire Ambassador Lukas Haitzmann by email:ย connect@lukashaitzmann.com

Event details

30 September 2025
All day

Royal Berkshire Hotel

London Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, SL5 0PP

Event Organiser: The Institute of Directors

Bookings

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