by Emma Liddiard, chairman of the Institute of Directors Kent branch, managing director and mum

Two things are making it hard to concentrate on this column today.

The first is that this is the first month without our intrepid branch manager Debbie Cameron.

The second is the terrible smell of a burned baked potato in my office.

Back to Debbie. I’m sure our members will all be aware that she has moved on to her dream role in the charity sector. Anyone who knows her will have seen all the lovely photos of her with children in Uganda on Facebook.

Not only did they warn me that we might be losing her to more worthy causes, they also highlighted that all my own pictures are of horses and alcoholic events.

In January we said goodbye to Debbie and hello to a lot of new jobs.

I must thank Michelle, our branch administrator, for the extra hours she is putting in and particular thanks go to our executive committee and events committee for all mucking in and stepping up to keep things running absolutely beautifully while we recruit to fill the large shoes Debbie has left.

So we now have a new lease of life entering 2014, welcoming new members, new sponsors and a new branch manager in time.

Already this year we have held a successful MD’s strategy forum with Wilkins Kennedy, hosted by Clive Newell of Halagen.

I am always pleasantly surprised to see just how many people happily attend our breakfast meetings, and not just for the breakfast (I hope).

A healthy conversation ensued and Clive’s hosting ensured valuable content about peer-to-peer support. I observed some interesting connections being made across the table and I hope these relationships continue to develop.

The general feedback is we generate the perfect conditions to meet and remember new contacts and friends.

I am always pleasantly surprised to see just how many people happily attend our breakfast meetings, and not just for the breakfast (I hope)

Talking of membership, I dedicated myself at the start of the year to try and highlight just some of the many reasons to join up. Last month I talked about the Information Advisory Service – the quick response business information service which is just like having your own highly skilled research person in your team – who you don’t have to pay!

This month, have a look at the development section to find out about the specialist director
level courses and personal development. And I have just found the Directors’ Knowledge Toolkit, a complimentary online service.

It’s going to go with this cup of tea while I figure out if I’ve already failed to make myself healthier for 2014.