Institute President steps down mid-term

Right moment given achievement of immediate priorities

Mark Lenton has stepped down as the Institute’s President due to restrictions on his time resulting from commitments within his main employed work role. As a result, Immediate Past President, Paul Manning will return to the role, following a recent vote by Council members. A new President will be elected at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting in October.

To fill the now vacant role on Council, the Council has appointed Mike Taylor. Mike was the immediate Past President until October 2019 and will become Joint Deputy President alongside Peter Elam.

Announcing his departure, Lenton said:

“It is with great sadness that I must step away. I have been honoured to be part of Council over recent years, and especially privileged to serve as President. But as President, my immediate priorities were: executive leadership continuity; and setting a path to ensure sustainability for the Institute, so that it remains “fit for purpose” in delivering its strategic objectives. These have been achieved, and I am delighted with the contribution and leadership that John Wood has already brought as interim CEO.

“I am incredibly appreciative of my Council colleagues and the Institute staff and I will continue to support them wherever I can, and of course I will be drawing on the Institute’s services as a member and customer. I leave the role of President in the very safe and experienced hands of Paul.”

Paul Manning said:

"On behalf of Council and all our members, I should like to thank Mark for his leadership of the Institute as President and for his sterling service over many years as a Council director: it has been a pleasure to work with him. We are sad that he has to leave us during his Presidential year, and we wish him every success for the future. We will look forward to Mark's continuing input as a senior practitioner to help shape our profession for the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead. And it is great to welcome Mike back onto Council."

Lenton, has been a Council Director for four years, serving as Deputy President last year and as chair of its Audit and Business and Finance committees.

Manning has been a Council member for five years, and chaired the Institute’s Audit Committee for two years before serving as President in 2018-19.

This article was first published in January 2020.