The IoD also announces today that it has signed a rehciprocal deal with De Warande, the Flemish Business Club in Brussels. Members of the IoD will be able to work or hold meetings at De Warande’s high quality premises in the centre of the Belgian capital, and De Warande’s members will be able to use the IoD’s Georgian headquarters on Pall Mall while in London on business.
Stephen Martin, Director General of the IoD, said: “IoD members are very internationally focussed, with over half involved in some form of exporting. The EU will continue to be the UK’s single largest export market after Brexit and it will be even more important that British firms strengthen connections with continental markets. Brussels is a great springboard for trading in Europe, and giving IoD members access to fantastic premises in the heart of the city will help them to hold meetings, entertain clients, and generally build the bridges that are essential to doing business.
“At the same time, we look forward to welcoming members of De Warande to the IoD, giving them a UK base at one of the most prestigious business addresses in London. Politicians will be huddled around negotiating tables for the next few years, ironing out the details of Brexit, but business people are already getting on strengthening their relationships with partners on the Continent.”
Mark Cunningham, new Chairman of IoD Belgium, added: “It’s an exciting new beginning for the Belgium chapter of the IoD. It will be a rejuvenated forum to discuss the most pressing matters of the day in one of Brussels’ most prestigious locations. I would like IoD Belgium members to see us as ‘the’ organisation for networking, learning and having a high level exchange of views with other business people.”
