Further education leader is new chair of IoD East Midlands

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Gary Headland as regional chair for the East Midlands.

Headland succeeds Garry Smith, who has stepped down after five years.

Headland is the chief executive of Lincoln College Group, responsible for colleges in Lincoln, Newark, Gainsborough and Saudi Arabia as well as commercial operations in the UK, China and the Eastern Caribbean.

He is a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lincolnshire, a chair of private and education sector organisations and a non-executive director of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.

He said: “It is a great privilege to be able to continue to serve IoD members and our regional business community in this new role, especially during this incredibly challenging time for all business leaders. The IoD passionately believes that ‘better directors build a better world’ and I look forward to playing my part in supporting directors to be more resilient, innovative, productive and sustainable.”

Natalie Sykes, IoD regional director for the East Midlands, said: “Gary is a terrific appointment, a true champion for the East Midlands who brings years of professional leadership experience to the role.

“This is a time of great change for the IoD. We are putting members at the heart of everything we do and demonstrating that directors and businesses are a force for good that help us build a more prosperous nation.”