Ronan Harris, Google UK and Ireland MD, on cover of Director

The new issue of Director magazine features an exclusive interview with Ronan Harris, Google’s new managing director of UK and Ireland. In her editor’s letter, Lysanne Currie previews our exclusive and looks at what else you can find in February’s packed edition – available now to download to iPad, Android and on its way to IoD members and subscribers in print

I write this at the end of a week in which Theresa May made two strong speeches on Brexit – one outlining her plans for leaving the EU, the other reassuring the elite international business community at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the UK after Brexit would take on a “leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for free markets and free trade anywhere in the world”.

Ronan Harris on the cover of Director magazine May also gave a blunt message to the Davos audience that many big businesses were not playing fair. She talked about the need to “put aside short-term considerations and invest in people and communities for the long term”, and pledged that the UK will be “delivering yet higher standards of corporate governance, to help make the UK the best place to invest of any major economy”.

And, of course, good governance doesn’t just apply to large businesses: on p17 Estelle Clark explains why firms of all sizes must make it a priority and on p66 we explain the importance of non-execs in maintaining business standards and offer advice on how to get your first post.

The week hasn’t been without its wobbles for the PM – both HSBC and UBS said they will move jobs out of London although Barclays chief executive Jes Staley confirmed the bulk of their activity will stay in the capital. This month’s cover star Ronan Harris, Google’s new UK and Ireland MD, sits in the latter camp and, on p22, outlines why the tech giant has committed to a £1bn investment in Britain and why a period of uncertainty can present opportunities for SMEs.

That’s a view reiterated by new IoD director general, Stephen Martin, who, in his first column for Director, agrees that “testing times can be exciting” and offers his advice for navigating choppy waters (p21).

Finally, uncertain times can also be a great time to start a new business – if your New Year’s resolution is to quit your job and turn your start-up dream into reality then check out our feature about the many ways the IoD can help you with your new venture on p62. And, of course, let us know how you get on.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

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