Denmark-born Charlotte Valeur (54) today stepped into the role of chair of the 30,000-strong Institute of Directors (IoD) amid a turbulent time for the organisation.

The Jersey resident – an ex-investment banker with 30 years’ experience who holds a non-executive role on the board of construction company Laing O’Rourke – said she looked forward to refocusing the IoD.

She said that she was looking forward to joining a team “keen to roll up their sleeves and get to work on the issues that really matter to members.”

Problems reported to be long-standing within the business lobby group came to a head back in March when three board members resigned following allegations the chairwoman, Lady Barbara Judge, had used racist and sexist language.

She was suspended, but then stepped down alongside Deputy Chairman Kenneth Olisa and non-executive board member Arnold Wagner.

In total, Lady Barbara faces 41 allegations. Amongst those are claims that she made racist statements about staff members, including that “blacks can get aggressive”, as well as a report of reducing her assistant to tears on more than one occasion through bullying behaviour.

Despite her resigning when they emerged, Lady Barbara vociferously denies the claims.

Pictured: Ms Valeur at an awards ceremony with local IoD chairman, Chris Clark (right).

While Ms Valeur’s appointment to the vacancy has been welcomed locally, concerns have been raised in national media reports over her lack of prominence. 

The Sunday Times said that the “troubled” IoD faced “awkward questions over the appointment of a relatively unknown figure who lives in a tax haven”, but nonetheless confirmed that the “corporate governance enthusiast” would be paying tax on her £20,000 annual pay for the role. 

IoD Director General Stephen Martin said that Ms Valeur’s appointment was a particularly timely commitment to diversity for the organisation, praising her for being someone that “doesn’t just talk the talk.”

“I know that Charlotte’s insight and genuine commitment to good governance will ensure we are perfectly placed to lead as we begin a fresh chapter in the Institute’s history,” he commented. 

Four years ago, the professional set up ‘Board Apprentice’ – a not-for-profit scheme committed to encouraging diversity on boards around the world.

“It’s imperative that people of all backgrounds know that the world of business is not a closed shop, and the IoD has a major part to play in achieving this. Firms draw strength from their diversity of perspective, while the good standing of business leaders in society relies upon the route to the top being open to all,” she said.