Act within your powers original pen and ink and watercolour illustration by Rosie Brooks

As a director of a company in the UK, you are expected to act within your powers, which are set out in the company's articles of association and in the Companies Act 2006. Your powers as a director include:

1. Managing the company's business: You have the power to manage the company's day-to-day affairs and make strategic decisions.

2. Making decisions: You have the power to make decisions on behalf of the company, including decisions about contracts, investments, and hiring and firing employees.

3. Representing the company: You have the power to represent the company in dealings with third parties, such as suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies.

4. Exercising reasonable care, skill, and diligence: You have a duty to exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in carrying out your role as a director. This means that you should act in the best interests of the company, taking into account the interests of its shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders.

5. Acting in good faith: You have a duty to act in good faith and promote the success of the company for the benefit of its shareholders as a whole.

6. Avoiding conflicts of interest: You have a duty to avoid situations where your personal interests conflict with those of the company. If a conflict of interest arises, you must declare it to the other directors and take steps to ensure that it is properly managed.

It is important to note that as a director, you have legal obligations to act in accordance with your powers and duties. Failing to do so could result in legal action being taken against you, which could lead to fines, disqualification from acting as a director, or even imprisonment. Therefore, it is important to understand your powers and obligations as a director and to act in the best interests of the company at all times.