Denis Lester

Denis Lester is a Director of Downland Fresh Foods, a food company based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, that distributes chilled and frozen foods to shops and caterers. Prior to setting up this company about 8 years ago he was a director of medium size organisations and Senior Executive within multi national plc’s.

I have been an IoD member for about 20 years. In that time I have used many of the benefits that the IoD provides. I came from a corporate background where we had access to everything we needed. Now, with a £5 million turnover, I no longer have access to these resources. I use my membership to replace what you would normally have available as a corporate. We rely on the IoD’s information service for tax and legal advice, credit checks of companies, EU regulations and so on.

The monthly magazines, IoD News and Director, are useful in ensuring that we are up to date on business and legal issues. Not being part of a big company, unless it is through the IoD, we won’t know about it. Information like this is crucial.

I completed the Chartered Director course. The training was first class but working with other directors was an exceptional benefit that only the IoD can give, as you can interact with your peers and pick their brains. This unique experience of training with other directors at least doubles the value of the training.