Institute of Directors boosts Hampshire and Isle of Wight team with ambassador appointments

The IoD has appointed a raft of new ambassadors to its Hampshire and Isle of Wight branch.

The four new ambassadors are leading figures from the county’s business community, who will each head up a specific sector. IoD ambassadors drive greater connectivity with members, support learning and development and give a local voice to the Institute, while ensuring that IoD national policy reflects local issues.

Matthew Wallis has been appointed ambassador for arts, culture and events. He is an experienced general manager in sales and marketing with substantial financial and international operational management expertise. He has over 30 years of sales and marketing experience including in large corporations such as Hewlett Packard and Motorola. Wallis has managed teams across Europe, USA, Japan and India. For the past 10 years, he has been helping many smaller companies to improve their sales and marketing processes.

Clive Hayler becomes governance and policy ambassador. He is an entrepreneur and founder of three, successful life science companies with board-level experience in UK and USA. Hayler has over 30 years' experience in the healthcare and technology sectors as a founder and director with M&A experience. He is a board advisor to the NHS and pharmaceutical companies for strategy, risk management and acquisition due diligence. Hayler is also an expert referee for the Medical Research Council for cell therapy scale-up investment. He is an independent director for the British Karate Federation to help support and develop British olympic and paralympic karate talent at the Tokyo Olympic games.

Stephen Kirk has been appointed climate and sustainability ambassador. He is CEO of SK Consulting & Investment and board chair of two sustainability businesses: Planet Mark and Turnkey Technology. Kirk specialises in helping companies develop strategies that use technology to transform their business models and drive sustainable growth. As well as his non-executive roles, Kirk leads SKCI’s team of consultants who provide strategy and leadership consulting services to high-growth companies and their investors. He has specific experience and expertise in helping businesses to grow in ways that address ESG, climate change and sustainability. He plans to use this insight to help the IoD and its members become more sustainable.

Roxana Andrusca has been made membership journey ambassador. Working as a research and business development manager at the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Andrusca leads on the commercialisation of research strategy, growth and revenue generation strategy and strategic partnerships across the Trust. Prior to joining the Trust, she worked at Solent University where she was responsible for the project management of several Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) projects, development of grant applications and funding bids and strategic partnerships.

Aileen Ryan, chair of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight branch, said: “We are building a strong and experienced team of ambassadors with a breadth of experience and skills to support our wider membership. We will have further ambassador appointments to announce imminently.

“The IoD is playing a key role in equipping directors with the connections and skills they need as we emerge from the pandemic. We will also continue to ensure that the voice of Hampshire and Isle of Wight directors is represented within the IoD’s influential lobbying voice.”