David Parkin ponders the future of the IoD and learns about ice cream

WILL the last person at the Institute of Directors in Yorkshire please turn out the light when they leave – after they’ve completed their professional development programme.

In other regions around the UK the IoD is a doughty campaigner for people who run businesses. It is seen as a vital part of the regional business landscape and attracts top directors and entrepreneurs.

In Yorkshire it seems to have settled for a role providing professional development programmes and coaching and if, like me, you feel there are too many so called ‘business coaches’ out there then that is the last thing this region needs.

I had a pop at the qualifications of the IoD’s chair in Yorkshire, the magnificently named Suzy Brain England, when she was appointed earlier this year.

I won’t go over old ground, but I couldn’t find much private sector experience in her bulging CV.

I’m always happy to hold my hands up and admit when I’m wrong – it’s a regular occurance – but after I wrote that critical piece I received a lot of positive feedback and only one negative.

And that was from the then regional director of the IoD Kenton Robbins. To be fair to Kenton he bought me breakfast and explained why he thought I was wrong.

For my part, I said I would remain to be convinced but hoped that the IoD could find a significant role in the region.

So what has happened in the subsequent six months?

Well Kenton has left and this week the IoD announced that Suzy Brain England is taking over his job which the organisation trumpeted as underlining its “commitment as the standard bearer for professional development” in Yorkshire.

Great.

What I think is interesting is that I’ve heard nothing from Ms Brain England since I wrote my original piece and despite attending loads of business events, have never seen her at a Yorkshire business event this year.

But then again, I don’t attend “professional development” courses. I suppose you could say that I’m beyond help – and not in a good way.

So good luck to her. I would like to see the IoD find a strong role in the region, but I remain to be convinced.

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THIS column is written with the keyboard equivalent of shaky handwriting today. For that you can blame genial mine host of The Foundry restaurant Phil Richardson and Yorkshire dealmaker Steve Roberts.

Phil’s bonhomie and wide knowledge of wine kept me entertained yesterday – and is punishing me today. Steve’s Leeds United stories almost put me to sleep.

As well as perusing a lot of wine labels last night I also learned a great deal about ice cream.

After a couple of scoops of Jaffa Cake and Salted Caramel ice cream I was all set to head to the kitchen to give my compliments to the chef. Until Phil told me the stuff came from Huddersfield-based award-winning business Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream.

And if I thought those flavours were exotic, that’s nothing compared to some of them, which include: Spicy Pear & Vanilla Balsamic Vinegar, Black Spicy Chai Tea, Dandelion & Burdock, Liquorice, Chilli Jam Man, Beetroot, Malted Milk or Pumpkin Oil, to name just a few.

I must stick to ice cream in future. Whatever flavour you plump for, you are bound to feel so much better the next day.