Conference

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 ‘busy’ 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 of “Building trust in business leadership.”

30 September 2025

09:00 am

5:00 pm

Royal Berkshire Hotel, London Rd, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 0PP

Early bird: IoD Member £295 - Early bird: Non-Member £325

This event is not just another networking conference!

The Retreat is designed to feed mind, body and soul. Leave ‘busy’ 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 of “Building trust in business leadership.”

In deciding on a theme for the director retreat, we’ve taken inspiration from this year’s Edelman Trust Barometer Report. For the past 25 years Edelman, a global communications firm, has studied the influence of trust across society — government, media, business, and NGOs. Work done by Edelman has proven that an organisation’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 visit here.

At a time when “trust” 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, Crypto…)
  • Talent & Skills (Talent Attraction & Retention, Mentoring, Culture & Psychological Safety …)
  • Emerging Technologies (Digital Disruption, AI, Automation, Big Data, Analytics, Cybersecurity…)
  • Sustainability & Governance (Green Tech, Energy, NetZero, Compliance & Risk, Policies…)
  • Business & Personal Resilience (Operations Transformation, Productivity, Health & Wellbeing, Leadership Development…)

Critically we’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 ‘business conference’.

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 “by directors for directors”, 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 ‘early bird’ reduced ticket rate now – limited to 15 places!

Take the day, explore the topics, and boost your energy. Be ready for what’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.

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: connect@lukashaitzmann.com

Event organised by: Institute of Directors

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