Dear Esteemed Members,

As we convene for AGM 2025, we stand at the threshold of yet another defining and remarkable milestone in our collective journey - the 35th year of the Institute of Directors (IOD), India.

This year marks a renewed commitment to building stronger boards, driving corporate excellence, and shaping the future of responsible leadership-at home and across the globe.

With over three and a half decades of service to the boardroom community, IOD today is not just a premier institution-it is a growing global movement of directors, change-makers, and governance pioneers. It is my honour and privilege to serve as your Secretary-General and to welcome each one of you-our Governing Council Members, IOD Fellows, Individual Members, Institutional Members, and Associates-into this vibrant leadership ecosystem.

Let me take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to our revered patrons and mentors; Hon’ble Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, Chairman Emeritus, IOD & former Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice U. U. Lalit, Honorary National Chairman, IOD & former Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Vice-Chairman, IOD & Judicial Member, Lokpal of India, Lt. Gen. Surinder Nath, PVSM, AVSM (Retd.), President, IOD.

Their visionary leadership continues to guide our mission and inspire everything we do.

The year ( FY) 2024–25 has been historic as a year of impact and momentum. Every vertical at IOD-be it Membership, Training, Research, Awards, Events, or Publications-has witnessed significant growth. We have expanded our impact, increased our reach, and deepened our value to the boardroom community.

IOD now concludes over 500 batches of our flagship Director training and certification programs, with new international rollouts in the pipeline. A growing IOD Directors’ Databank, serving as a trusted repository of qualified, board-ready professionals.

What began as a visionary initiative in 1990, has today evolved into a premier association of corporate directors - empowering over 31,000 members and associates across India and overseas.

This year is not just an anniversary-it is a celebration of a pioneering spirit in the boardroom, and a reaffirmation of our commitment to building future-ready leadership in an era of transformation.

Every month, nearly 120 new members join our growing IOD family-leaders who believe in purpose-driven governance and innovation-led growth.

Simultaneously, over 100 senior executives undergo IOD’s flagship ‘Masterclass for Directors’ certification programs each month, acquiring advanced boardroom skills to drive transformation, resilience, and compliance.

Today, IOD has trained over 10,000 directors under its ‘Certified Corporate Director’ framework-many of whom now serve on India’s and the world’s most influential boards.

Through its Golden Peacock Awards, evaluated under the rigorous Golden Peacock Excellence Model, IOD assesses nearly 1,000 top-performing organisations annually - recognising leadership in governance, sustainability, innovation, and ESG excellence.

To drive our Global Boardroom Movement, today IOD's influence today transcends borders as we host 5–6 major international conventions annually in India and key global hubs like the UK, UAE, and Singapore - bringing together business leaders, policy makers, and governance experts from across the world.

In India, our dynamic Regional Chapters convene quarterly regional conventions, fostering deep knowledge exchange, thought leadership, and unmatched networking opportunities for our members.

Our global footprint is expanding rapidly, aligning with India’s emergence as a trusted driver of responsible growth in a multipolar world.

Over the past year, IOD has signed more than 10 strategic MoUs with prominent institutions both in India and abroad-strengthening global partnerships and expanding the reach and relevance of good governance across borders.

While setting Global Benchmarks, since their inception in 1991, IOD’s Golden Peacock Awards and Masterclass for Directors have grown alongside India’s liberalised economy. Both have now become gold standards in governance and leadership development.

Our flagship programs - Certified Corporate Director, the Certificate Course on the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI Regulations, and our acclaimed awards platform - stand as proof of our relentless drive to create stronger boards, ethical leadership, and sustainable enterprises.

Our Board Research & Advisory Wing has supported large corporations in enhancing governance, ESG integration, and director evaluations - cementing IOD’s place as a trusted advisor in India’s corporate transformation.

IOD’s knowledge platforms, including our monthly magazine ‘Director Today’, best-selling Handbooks for Directors, and Winners Digest, continue to evolve - making us future-ready and digitally agile.

As we look ahead with bold vision, the future is filled with immense promise.

As uncertainty becomes the norm, IOD is doubling down on leadership development, sustainability, climate action, digital governance, and corporate integrity. Our upcoming initiatives will focus on new strategic hubs for Global Conventions, Tech-driven governance tools, new awards, publications, and digital outreach and most importantly greater support for women leaders, young directors, and family businesses.

As we step into the next phase, I reaffirm IOD’s commitment to collaborative excellence and transformational leadership. We remain open, inclusive, and agile - partnering with public and private institutions to build resilient organizations and empowered boards.

In closing, I am deeply grateful to all members, council leaders, secretariat, staff for their unwavering support, energy and dedication that makes everything possible at IOD.

You are the reason we continue to thrive.

Let us continue to lead with integrity, govern with wisdom, and shape the future - together.

Thank you.

With Best Wishes!