The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed one of the region’s leading business figures to chair its Greater Manchester branch.
Debbie Francis OBE joins as the IoD ramps up its support to help local directors to rebuild, recover from the pandemic and prosper.
Debbie is best known in Manchester and across the North of England for her vocal support for transport infrastructure investment in the North and the need for levelling up, alongside her efforts and strong advocacy for equality, diversity and inclusion.
She is the chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and her business career has also included senior executive roles with Arcadis UK, Direct Rail Services, London North Western Route Finance and Network Rail.
She also holds several non-executive roles with organisations including Harwich Haven Authority, MDC Stockport, Loram UK, Penny Bridge Church of England Academy and Pave the Way. As well as her OBE, Debbie has several awards and honours recognising her contribution to business and the community including IoD North West Director of the Year for Inclusivity and Woman with Edge at the Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2019. She is currently working towards a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University with leadership at the core of the research.
Debbie said: “It is a tremendous honour to become chair of an organisation that has represented directors for more than a century. Greater Manchester’s business community is diverse and resilient, and I am determined to give directors the tools and inspiration that they need to lead the UK economic recovery.”
Steve Bennett, chair of IoD North West, said: “We are delighted to secure Debbie to lead one of our biggest and most active branches. She will be the standard bearer for local directors, providing support where it is needed most along with inspiration through a programme of business events as we recover and rebuild the IoD across the region.”
Debbie will work alongside a team of branch ambassadors to provide local directors with connections, professional development, and an influential lobbying voice.
