Director Podcast

Six months on from Royal Assent, the Employment Rights Actis beginning to reshape the UK’s labour market - but for many businesses, uncertainty and concern remain. With key provisions coming into force and others still to follow, employers are grappling with what the reforms mean in practice, and how to prepare for what’s next.
In this episode, Alex Hall‑Chen (IoD Principal Policy Advisor for Employment) and Jim Wright CDir (International Employment Law Partner at Knights) join host Ben Walker to discuss the current state of play.
Together, they explore why business sentiment has deteriorated since the Act came into force, how organisations are adjusting their hiring and the biggest risks for employers over the next 12 months. They also discuss the impact on IoD members and what practical steps employers can take now to navigate the next phase of implementation.

In this rapid reaction episode, members of the IoD policyteam unpack the business measures announced in the King’s Speech - and what they signal about the Government’s economic direction, amid continued political uncertainty in the UK.
The discussion covers economic security, UK-EU relations, energy resilience and late payment reforms, alongside the wider question of how businesses are responding to an increasingly uncertain political and geopolitical environment.
And - whether a potential change of Prime Minister has the power to unravel these measures…

As geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt global energymarkets, UK businesses are facing persistently high energy costs and renewed uncertainty over supply. Against this backdrop, questions are growing about whether the UK’s energy system is fit for purpose - and why our industrial electricity prices remain among the highest in the G7.
In this episode, Alex Hall‑Chen (IoD Principal Policy Advisor for Energy and Sustainability) joins host Ben Walker to examine what the current energy crisis means for UK business.
Together, they explore why UK energy prices are so high, how exposed businesses are to future shocks, and why short‑term support measures like the British Industry Competitiveness Scheme fail to address the underlying problems in the energy market. They also discuss the case for structural reform - including decoupling electricity prices from gas - and what government must do to deliver a more affordable, secure and competitive energy system.

As the government continues to prioritise economic growth, questions are mounting over whether its strategy is delivering meaningful results. Against a backdrop of recent geopolitical shocks and domestic political pressures, the challenge of balancing long-term growth with short-term stability has become increasingly acute.
In this episode, Anna Leach (IoD Chief Economist) and Giles Wilkes (Institute for Government Senior Fellow) join host Ben Walker to assess whether the government’s growth plan is really working.
Together, they examine the government’s record against its own growth ambitions, and explore whether it can realistically deliver a stronger, more resilient economy in the current climate. They also consider the tension between building the foundations for long-term growth and the political imperative to maintain public support, asking whether these goals can truly be aligned.

In this snap reaction episode, Anna Leach (IoD Chief Economist) and host Ben Walker break down the Chancellor’s Spring Forecast and the latest outlook from the Office for Budget Responsibility. With no new tax announcements but higher public spending and shifting fiscal headroom, what does it mean for business confidence and competitiveness?
We explore downgraded growth projections, pressure on the labour market, rising employment costs, and why the UK’s economic outlook is becoming increasingly fragile.