A week in the life of an IoD Wales Chair
A week in the life of an IoD Wales Chair
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After steering the Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales through one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory, Richard Selby will step down as national chair when his term comes to an end next year.
Selby, who is also Managing Director of Pro Steel Engineering, took on the voluntary leadership role at the start of the pandemic, a time, he says, that was “unexpected” in every sense.
“I came into the role at the start of the pandemic and had to deal with a huge amount of change, both in terms of the membership structure and the organisation itself,” he said.
“The IoD is an SME like many businesses here in Wales, and it had its own challenges to face. Members really stepped up to help the operational teams, and we became a crucial conduit between government and business.”
During his tenure, Selby helped guide the IoD through significant internal restructuring while ensuring members across Wales had a voice during the uncertainty of lockdowns and recovery.
“It was a challenging, rewarding and unexpected time,” he reflected. “Following the pandemic, it’s been great to finally do the role I expected, leading a membership organisation and focusing on growth and engagement.”
Balancing his IoD commitments with running a national engineering firm was no small feat. “It’s a challenge, to be honest with you,” he said.
“Your business has to take priority most of the time, but if you commit to a senior voluntary role like this, you’ve got to put the time and effort in. You’re representing more than 400 business leaders across Wales, so it’s important to lead with integrity and energy.”
Selby, who co-founded Pro Steel Engineering in 2012, believes his experience as a business leader helped him relate to members’ real-world challenges, but he stresses that the role is as much about listening as leading.
“Having led my own business for 13 years, working in an organisation where you’re influencing others to create a better business environment has been challenging but also an incredible learning opportunity,” he said.
As the IoD begins the search for his successor, Selby has clear thoughts on the qualities the next chair will need. “You need lived experience, to really understand what it’s like to run a business in Wales, where the opportunities and challenges are,” he said.
“You also need to be open to other views, because the IoD is sector-agnostic and politically neutral. It’s about facts, data and how that translates into real business confidence.”
The time commitment, he adds, is “flexible but meaningful”. “It might be a few hours a week on average, with the occasional trip to London or another devolved nation for strategy sessions,” he explained.
“The heavy lifting of organisational restructuring is done, so the next chair needs to bring a clear vision — how do we present ourselves as the leadership and governance organisation that helps drive Wales’s economic growth?”
Reflecting on his time in post, Selby said the variety of the role was one of its greatest rewards. “One day you’re discussing a new steel structure contract, the next you’re meeting the outgoing Director of the Wales Office or giving input to the Treasury about the appointment of a new Crown Estate Commissioner,” he said.
“It’s incredibly varied, but it’s also a privilege to be able to share the lived experience of Welsh business leaders at a national level.”
As Selby prepares to hand over the reins, he leaves the IoD Wales as an organisations that continues to champion good governance, strong leadership and the voice of Welsh business.
Applications for the post are open until 30 November 2025. Candidates are asked to submit a CV and covering letter to Joanna.price@iod.com, while those seeking an informal conversation about the position can contact chair.wales@iod.net.
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