by David Philpott, chairman of IoD Kent branch

Unlike Old Blue Eyes, I did not do it My Way.

I like to think I listened to others and most of all deferred to wiser counsel as I navigated my way through the choppy waters which are the norm for any branch chairman of the Institute of Directors.

And now – more than 1,000 days on - I bring this ship into port where it can be re-provisioned so that Emma Liddiard – my worthy successor – can take it out to sea again.

But enough of the nautical metaphors; after all, what do I know about sailing?

The best bit of advice I was ever given when I took over as chair in March 2010 was that I would spend the first year of my chairmanship wondering what was going on, in the second I would make my changes and in the third I would start enjoying it.

Good advice indeed, for the second year was no picnic for this David, who in making enforced changes had to slay a mighty Goliath – his sling no more than a handful of loyal committee members and a dedicated branch manager who together thought that things ought to be arranged differently.

Whatever our values are in life, whatever pithy sayings we live by, no Maxim could spare us the criticism we – or more particularly I – was to face mid-way through my tenure.

Like Mike Catt being flattened by Jonah Lomu in that unforgettable rugby moment, it felt as if an executive coach and dray horse was being driven through my chairmanship and it was at that time that I could have really used a PA to assist me.

Indeed, it is no exaggeration to describe the events as being not unlike an E.M Forster novel – Howard’s End perhaps.

However, as predicted, joy broke out in my third year, as I entered my Zen, all things became perfectly clear, the big plan came together and I had all the components to force through the change that was necessary. Indeed life in the Kent branch of the IoD became a breeze.

And now, here in my 36th column for Kent Business, some 18,000 words later, I can declare without hesitation that this has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

It has been both an honour and a privilege to serve my 1500 members and also work with my executive committee – a group of volunteers who in my opinion represent the finest business talent in Kent.

As my tenure drew to a close, many asked if I would do a second term but I have always been adamant that people on boards and committees need to know when to go and in my opinion that is usually a good year before their time is up and a decision best made when things are looking rosy.

And never have things looked rosier for the Kent branch of the Institute of Directors than they do now.

Over to you Madam Chairman.