Oxfordshire: Institute of Directors appoints new chair

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Mark Johnson to chair its Oxfordshire branch. The experienced engineer and manufacturer becomes the voice of business for the county, working on behalf of members from a diverse range of organisations.

Johnson joined the board at Carterton-based Advanced Fibreoptic Engineering (AFE) in 2013, taking responsibility for technology leadership and business development. In 2019 he was appointed commercial director, with a career spent developing and commercialising new products and technologies across the automotive, aerospace, fibre-optics and optoelectronics sectors. He is an IoD chartered director and fellow, a chartered engineer and member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Johnson said: “Oxfordshire is a varied landscape of different industries and there is a great opportunity to connect more businesses in the region to benefit from each other’s experiences, challenges and successes. Being, or aspiring to be a director is a continuous learning experience. The IoD offers members not only the resources to broaden your learning, but the connections to successful individuals who you can learn from.

“The IoD is making some very positive changes. I am very pleased to be part of the team delivering these changes and engaging with our members and future members across Oxfordshire.”

The IoD is the UK’s number one organisation for directors, providing connections, influence and world-class professional development. As chair, Mark will work alongside a branch team to ensure that the views of Oxfordshire directors are represented within the IoD’s influential, national Policy Voice.

Faisal Khan, regional chair of IoD South, said: “Mark is the ideal person to lead our Oxfordshire branch. The IoD believes that better directors build a better world – Mark’s wide experience across a range of industries will help us to support members, build connections and help all types of directors to maximise the opportunities that lie ahead as the UK begins its economic recovery.”