Explore every episode of the podcast Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 36: Deb Wasser - IR with a Difference: Etsy's Approach to Investor Relations | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:38:14 | |
How does a global consumer brand like Etsy manage investor relations? And what does it take to lead IR successfully? In this episode of Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast, we sit down with Deb Wasser, VP of Investor Relations and ESG Engagement at Etsy, to uncover the secrets of a successful IR career. The Secrets to Success in Modern Investor Relations Throughout Deb’s journey in investor relations, she has taken on roles both on the consultancy side and in-house, switching between the two and picking up expertise and insights from both sides. She shares her unique experiences in this episode, and we hear her perspective on the most important traits to have in modern IR. As a former NIRI board member, we also learn about her work in the wider investor relations community. As the conversation explores Deb's experiences at Etsy, we hear about its innovative approach to IR and how it adapted to the challenges of a post-pandemic market. Deb also outlines how ESG ties into her role and why Etsy made the bold decision to make corporate social responsibility a core KPI. In This Episode:
Quotes: “We're a B2C business, and we are often in the news for good and for bad. And so you have to have really tight comms.” “Most investor relations executives are good at many things. It’s a diverse bunch of skills that are critical for success.” “Having mutual trust is the secret to success in IR, whether as a consultant or in-house. If you don't have it, it's not going to work.” Resources: | |||
| EP 35: Edward Westropp - Lessons and Advice from Moving to an In-House IR Role | 28 Oct 2024 | 00:33:47 | |
Many IR professionals begin their careers in various corporate finance roles, such as consultancy, data analysis, or capital markets. Each of those paths into IR comes with valuable insights and unique perspectives that can set you up for success. Before Edward Westropp, Head of IR and Communications at WE Soda Ltd, took the leap into IR, he came with bags of experience in strategy and communications. As he grew in his career, he found himself moving from a consultancy firm to an in-house position – something he was hesitant to do. However, since then, he’s found his in-house roles rewarding, challenging, and full of valuable lessons. He joins Enquire, the Investor Relations Podcast, to share his story. Navigating the Challenges and Rewards of In-House IR In this episode, we hear Edward’s career backstory including his time navigating consultancy roles, communicating with board members, managing strategy around IPOs, and the inner workings of corporate finance. Edward shares his tips for entry-level IR professionals including the importance of networking, as well as his strategies for managing relationships with key investors during tricky markets and business structure changes. We talk about the challenges of measuring success in IR, marketing a company to niche investor audiences, and his thoughts on the use of AI in the field. Edward also shares the lessons learned from moving in-house and how his previous roles helped set him up for success. In This Episode:
Quotes: “Even when it comes to outlining an annual report you can use AI to make sure you never start with a blank sheet of paper, which is quite valuable and helps with time. It'll all be totally wrong, but at least you're immediately redacting rather than starting from scratch.” “If you are going to go in-house, go in-house at the right level and in the right place.” “The trick is to identify your echelon. And then take them out for a coffee. No one turns a coffee down, it's a bit like dating. Just have a thick skin and just go for it. Because those people that you're engaging with now, as you all grow and get more senior, will become useful people in your network.” Resources: | |||
| Ep 26: Nicholas Ashworth - Measuring Success and Staying Innovative as an IR Leader in a Global FTSE 100 Company | 15 May 2024 | 00:42:53 | |
Today’s guest on the Enquire Podcast is Nick Ashworth, the Director of Investor Relations at National Grid, one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the world. It has a primary listing on the LSE, where it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index and a secondary listing in the form of its ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange. Before National Grid, Nick spent 14 years as an equity analyst at Morgan Stanley, latterly leading the European Utilities equity research team, following four years covering consumer and retail stocks across Emerging European countries. In this episode, he shares his experience of transitioning from the sell side to investor relations and offers insight into managing, coaching, and developing an IR team at a large, growing organization like National Grid. We also discuss the value of evolving success metrics, Nick’s board communication and engagement tips, the important role that storytelling plays in IR, and much more!
Quotes: “Particularly in a – through-COVID and then post-COVID – world, the way that we engage with investors changed hugely. Trying to find new and innovative ways to do it is important.” — Nick Ashworth [0:07:28] “Whilst [the board has] lots of expertise in their areas, they’re not the financial communications experts for [the company]. They want to hear what you have to say. It’s a two-way dialogue.” — Nick Ashworth [0:17:14] Nick Ashworth on LinkedIn | |||
| Ep 25: Simon Whittington - IR and Corporate Development: The Expanding Responsibilities of a Former Sell-side Analyst and Experienced IR Professional | 29 Apr 2024 | 00:35:51 | |
With more than a decade of investor relations experience behind him, Investor Relations and Corporate Development Director at PZ Cussons, Simon Whittington, shares how his progression from a sell-side role to working in investor relations has enriched his knowledge. Tuning in today, you’ll hear about his experience at Merlin Entertainments, his thoughts on disclosure and communication, and insights from the past two years at PZ Cussons. Touching on board interactions and involvement, Simon offers his reflections from 2023 and shares his insights on what is required to attract and convert investors in 2024. Join us as we discuss measuring success, drawing wisdom by observing the approach taken by other companies, Simon’s advice for others looking to launch or improve a career in investor relations, and more! Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes: “You have to try to be as creative as possible and think, well actually, should we be looking further afield for investors?” — Simon Whittington [0:21:23] “Thinking about how we can improve, how we are presenting results, and how we are presenting the company to investors is key.” — Simon Whittington [0:26:01] Simon Whittington on LinkedIn | |||
| Series 3: Ep 6: Sam Witherow - Identifying and Evaluating Dividend Yield and Dividend Growth Stocks as an Income Investor | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:40:19 | |
Today on the Enquire Podcast, we are joined by J.P. Morgan portfolio manager, Sam Witherow, to discuss investor relations in 2024. We discuss highlights from Sam’s career, the suite of income products he runs at J.P. Morgan, and the requirements of these funds. We delve into the importance of having a flexible mindset in this industry. Sam also tells us what would put him off of buying a high-yield stock, his outlook on 2024, and the biggest challenges he has faced as a portfolio manager. Finally, Sam breaks down how often he meets with his portfolio companies, how he gives feedback, what a good presentation looks like to him, and the primary information sources he uses. Thanks for listening in! Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes: “Ultimately, of course, clients want great total returns and amazing yields. We all want to have our cake and eat it to some extent.” — Sam Witherow [0:16:40] “Once a company stops growing, it doesn’t matter what the payout ratio is, eventually the dividend will get cut.” — Sam Witherow [0:17:50] “We’ve been through a period of exceptional margin expansion driven by very unusual pricing power. So, lots of businesses found pricing power for the first time in a decade.” — Sam Witherow [0:22:27] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 3: Ep 5: How Well-structured, Consistent Messaging can Help Companies Capture Investor Attention with Matt Hudson | 06 Mar 2024 | 00:37:07 | |
Matt Hudson is a portfolio manager at River Global Investors, and he joins us today to explain his company’s priorities, processes, and outlook for the year ahead. We learn about River Global’s business cycle framework, its multi-cap approach, how the company conducts its research, and the way it processes large volumes of information in today’s digital age. Matt then shares some information on what IR departments and other companies could be doing to get noticed by River Global, including the importance of consistency. Our guest also walks us through his company’s process for interacting with RNS statements, dealing with adjustments, and how it optimizes channels of communication with clients. To end, Matt shares his thoughts on the current state of the UK equity market and what he expects in 2024, how the industry is coping with an unprecedented high-number of outflows, what he thinks about current government interventions, and his parting words of advice. Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes: “It’s about thinking about which areas of the market are going to outperform over the next two to three years, and then moving the portfolio in that direction.” — Matt Hudson [0:01:28] “If you want feedback that’s useful, ask specific questions.” — Matt Hudson [0:21:00] “The quality is higher, the leverage is lower, and the sustainability of [UK] dividends is a lot higher than it has been.” — Matt Hudson [0:28:11] “UK equity income has been quietly outperforming the companies space over the last three years, five years, even over ten years. UK income, having had its challenges, is beginning to outperform even within this UK investor base.” — Matt Hudson [0:28:34] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 3: Ep 4: The Importance of a Clear, Simple and Understandable Equity Story with Andy Brough | 31 Jan 2024 | 00:28:51 | |
With decades of experience behind him, today’s guest is probably the longest-standing fund manager in London. Having started his investment career in 1987 when he joined Schroders as a UK equity fund manager, Andy Brough has managed the well-known Schroders UK Mid 250 Fund since its launch in November 1999. In this episode of Enquire, he joins us to share his view of investor communication today, his market outlook for 2024, and his advice for companies who want to stay ahead of the curve. We discuss the financial metrics that Andy focuses on, key takeaways from some of the standout investments of his career, and much more. To hear Andy’s insights and perspectives on companies’ communications with investors, tune in today.
Quotes: “I think companies use the report and accounts to a degree, but I think they could do a lot more on their website in terms of educating. This is our business, this is how we make money, these are the inputs into our business, so when you see that something has happened to oil, this could be the impact, and we can protect ourselves from that.” -Andy Brough [0:18:02]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 3: Ep 3: Navigating Markets Through In-Depth Research and Engagement with Georgina Brittain | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:34:57 | |
After nearly 30 years with J.P. Morgan, today’s guest has a wealth of experience and insights to share with company IR teams. Meet Georgina Brittain, a senior portfolio manager within the J.P. Morgan Asset Management International Equity Group, who joins us to discuss all things investor relations. You’ll find out how Georgina and her colleagues co-manages funds, why she believes there is an overload of information in the industry currently, how she deals with that, her process for screening companies, and much more. She shares her tips for delivering bad news, engaging with sell-side analysts, her approach to research, backward and forward-looking data, annual reports, and investor meetings before Georgina reminds us of the importance of clear messaging and up-to-date websites. Start listening now!
Key Points From This Episode: • How Georgina co-manages her funds. • What has changed in the industry recently and the dangers of too much information. • What companies can do to increase the chance of J.P. Morgan investing in them. • The importance of honesty when it comes to delivering bad news and why statutory figures are sometimes not helpful. • How sell-side analysts can be beneficial and her thoughts on how research has changed. • The importance of investor websites and keeping them updated and easy to navigate. • Results reporting and her views on backwards vs. forward-looking data. • Her approach to company meetings and how she gives feedback. • Why messaging needs to be as clear as possible.
Quotes: “And there are some companies that I own that I may not even see for almost two years. If everything's going right, everything I can see is absolutely ticking on, ideally even better than expectations, I don't need to waste my time or the management's time. That's how I look at it. And I try to be very, very clear for those companies that that is fed back. We don't need a meeting because we are completely happy.” – Georgina Brittain
“Investor websites are, I mean, have hugely grown in importance for lots of reasons. In particular, because this is how we get a lot of data nowadays.” – Georgina Brittain
“I think in terms of backward versus forward looking, the point about results is you are talking, you are looking backwards and that's relevant to us. So that should be the key focus if you're doing your full year results. Obviously, everyone cares about the outlook, what's going to happen next. But actually, we want the deep dive into what happened in the last year or the last period.” – Georgina Brittain
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 3: Ep 2: Investor Communication: Proactive Engagement and Open Dialogue with Jeremy Thomas | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:35:41 | |
Jeremy Thomas has 27 years of experience as a portfolio manager and is the Chief Investment Officer of Global Equities at Sarasin & Partners. He joins us to discuss what company IR teams and investors can do proactively to improve communication with each other. After comparing the industry challenges he faced 10 years ago to the obstacles he has to overcome now, Jeremy shares his stance on AI and why he and his company are eager to adopt the technology. We discuss the current state of the UK equity market, how Sarasin & Partners decides on who to work with, and how the IR practices in other international markets differ from the UK. We also dive into communication as our guest walks us through his meeting process, the best practices for corporate reporting, and why capital markets days are extremely valuable for cementing meaningful relationships. To close, Jeremy shares important advice for those working in IR. Listen now for all this and more!
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes: “If I look back over my time in investing and think about the companies I got to know best, it was often the companies where I went to their premises or – factories or spent the day with them at a capital markets day. It deepens your understanding and relationship with a business.” — Jeremy Thomas [0:26:29] “We won’t take a meeting unless we think we can get value from it and we won’t take a meeting that we don’t prepare for.” — Jeremy Thomas [0:27:50] “If there’s a problem, don’t disguise it, don’t skip over it, don’t pretend it’s not there because it will eventually come out and it will only make it worse in the long run if we don’t have the opportunity to tackle it, there and then.” — Jeremy Thomas [0:31:13] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 3: Ep 1: Finding Undervalued Stocks and Capturing Investor Attention with Matthew Tillett | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:34:27 | |
You can make or break your credibility with investors based on the way you communicate with them. In this episode of Enquire, we are joined by Matthew Tillett, a fund manager at Premier Miton, to discuss all things investor relations. The conversation covers all aspects of IR, including his fund's screening and investment approach, why he loves the undervalued small and mid-cap market, the elements of corporate reporting that are most valuable to fund managers, and his preferences for meeting and sharing feedback with companies. Matthew shares in detail his perspectives on the current UK market and economy, and thoughts around steps which could make the UK market more appealing as a listing venue. Key Points From This Episode: • An introduction to today’s guest, Matthew Tillett. • Matthew tells us about the focus of the Premier Miton UK Opportunities Fund. • What this fund needs from companies in terms of investor communication. • The kinds of research Matthew does and where he accesses consensus data. • How they screen the companies they work with. • What information Matthew looks to find on a company’s investor websites. • Why Matthew is sceptical about a lot of social media. • The importance of driving people towards long-term investment. • He shares some advice for reviewing a company’s finances. • Why well-thought-out educational events, like capital markets days, are beneficial. • How frequently Matthew meets with investment companies and how he approaches them. • Matthew tells us how he gives feedback. • Why Matthew doesn’t like conferences. • Matthew shares some tips about how to manage credibility in investor relations. • Why he wants the domestic market to be made more attractive to companies. • A reminder to stay patient when it comes to the share price.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 2: Ep 9: Communicating the Company Story to Multiple Stakeholders with David Shriver | 03 Nov 2023 | 00:31:08 | |
Corporate communications and investor relations are changing rapidly in step with technological advancements. During this episode, David Shriver, Ocado’s Chief Reputation Officer, joins the conversation to share how he approaches his role in an ever-changing landscape. After years of acting in the role of Director of Communications, David’s new role was developed to facilitate a new wave of innovation at Ocado. He shares his view on best practice, understanding your audience, and how he brings the knowledge he earned in other roles to his work at Ocado. We touch on ESG and sustainability concerns, and how the two non-executive board positions that David holds enhance his work at Ocado. He also shares where he finds humour in his role and reveals his broader interests beyond work, along with three author recommendations to bolster your reading journey. Tune in to learn all this and more from this episode’s inspiring guest!
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes: “I’m a passionate believer in the transformative impact of smart, joined-up communications on corporate reputation.” — @dmoshriver[0:01:58]
“There’s no story waiting to be told. You have to create a story based on the facts of the business history.” — @dmoshriver [0:07:18]
“The role of Chief Reputation Officer really involves three things; building, protecting, and measuring corporate reputation.” — @dmoshriver [0:08:48]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 2: Ep 8: Leading IR at a Global FTSE 10 Business Listed on Three Exchanges with Richard O'Connor | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:31:20 | |
Navigating the intricate field of Investor Relations (IR) requires a blend of experience, adaptability, and foresight. In this insightful episode, we chat with Richard O'Connor, who has a longstanding IR career and currently serves as the Global Head of Investor Relations at HSBC. Richard is an authority on the subject of investor relations, and, in his current role, oversees one of the most expansive IR teams for a UK-listed company, located both in the UK and Hong Kong. Tuning in you’ll learn how Richard manages his talented team, how he draws on his years of leadership experience to mentor and develop them, and why he uses reverse mentorship to learn about topics like AI and technological development. We hear about HSBC’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic — and the painful impact it had on their shareholders — before discussing their successes and wins since then. Learn about the awards and accolades Richard and his team have garnered for effective stakeholder communication, along with insights into the philosophy underpinning their success. We also discuss their geographical shareholder diversification, upcoming trends in investor relations, plus a whole lot more. For anyone keen on understanding the ever-evolving realm of Investor Relations and how stalwarts like Richard perceive future challenges and trends, this episode is a must-listen!
Key Points From This Episode: • Get to know our guest, Richard O'Connor, Global Head of Investor Relations (IR) at HSBC. • An overview of how roles and responsibilities are divided across his team. • How he manages his time between internal and external responsibilities. • His approach to coaching and developing his Investor Relations (IR) team. • The reverse mentorship he receives: young people sharing their technological expertise. • HSBC’s approach to hiring and how it has changed over the past eight years. • Prioritising management's time to ensure that investors get sufficient access to the team. • HSBC’s diversification of their shareholder base by geography and type. • How and why HSBC increased Asian investor ownership between 2016 and 2020. • Insight into how Asian investor engagement is handled by his team in Hong Kong. • How they use corporate brokers to support investor marketing. • Strategies for managing telecommunications on IR matters across their large organisation. • Lessons Richard learned from activist campaigns between 2020 and 2023. • The painful impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their shareholders. • An overview of the many successful seminars they’ve done in the UK and Asia. • The awards his team has received for effective communication with stakeholders. • Broader trends in investor relations and key challenges that lie ahead. • What motivated Richard to move into investor relations and what he enjoys most about it.
Quotes: “I'm based in London, but spend many weeks a year in Hong Kong in Asia, helping support that team.” — Richard O'Connor [0:02:04] “[It’s] very much a combination [of hiring internally and externally], I'd encourage [new hires] to keep an open mind and not just focus on one career path. We all have to be quite pragmatic and balanced these days.” — Richard O'Connor [0:08:25] “We're fortunate to be well resourced, and the firm has performed well over the last couple of years, building back up from that base of COVID.” — Richard O'Connor [0:21:55] | |||
| EP 34: Phil Griffith - Curiosity and Collaboration: The Keys to Successful Equity Sales | 14 Oct 2024 | 00:38:09 | |
What does a day in the life of an equity salesperson really look like? In this episode, we dive into the world of sell-side equity sales with industry veteran Phil Griffith. Curiosity and Good Storytelling Are a Salesperson’s Best Tools We sit down with Phil Griffith, Head of UK Distribution at Stifel Financial Corp. With over 36 years of experience in equity sales, Phil provides an insightful look into the daily routines, challenges, and the evolving world of sell-side equity sales. Phil has worked in the equity capital markets at UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Exane BNP Paribas. He has managed numerous high-performing equity sales teams and built great client relationships across the UK and beyond, covering Asset & Wealth Managers and Hedge Funds. He has been heavily involved in the Client Strategy role handling resource allocation, relationship discussions, and commercial research agreements post MiFID. From early morning research digests to corporate meetings and client interactions, Phil paints a picture of the fast-paced world of equity sales and shares insights on effective communication between sales, analysts, and clients. We hear about his experience of working with clients after the MiFID 2 regulations were announced, and why this has posed challenges. Throughout the conversation, Phil highlights how important great communication is and why salespeople and analysts who combine natural curiosity with great storytelling often stand out in client relations. In This Episode:
Quotes: “I've always found that people who are curious and are wanting to try and find different angles about things, that they really sort of stand out.” “I think the duty of a salesperson is first and foremost to put the actual firm's view across, but then to put it into context.” “The worst thing is a CFO or a CEO going laboriously through the figures and going through their presentation pack. And you go, ‘Come on, guys, I can read this. I don't need you to read it to me’.” Resources: | |||
| Series 2: Ep 7: Embracing Complexity with Aarti Singhal | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:28:32 | |
The world of Investor Relations (IR) is riddled with complexity at almost every turn. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, embracing complexity is a learnable skill that every single IR professional should aspire to. Today’s guest, Aarti Singhal, revels in complexity as she goes about her work as the Managing Director in the Barclays corporate broking team. Aarti explains how she transitioned into investor relations and what she loves most about the industry, the highs and lows of IR work, what it means to be successful in IR, and why “influence” is important in the IR function. We also come to understand how Aarti’s experience of in-house IR has helped in her corporate broking role, how important it is to quickly process large volumes of information, and her book and podcast recommendations for any IR enthusiast.
Key Points From This Episode: • Introducing Barclays’ MD, Aarti Singhal, and what initially drew her to investor relations. • What she enjoys the most about being in IR. • Breaking down the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of the job. • The similarities and differences between corporate and in-house IR work. • What success in IR entails. • Why “influence” is an important part of the role of investor relations. • Skills that every IR professional must have, according to our guest. • How she stays on top of the voluminous and rapid flow of information. • Aarti’s podcast recommendation.
Quotes: “Investor relations is really about creating that currency of trust, that currency of credibility. That does not happen with one event; that happens with delivering consistently quarter on quarter on quarter.” — Aarti Singhal [06:43]
“Don’t be afraid of complexity, it’s part of the game.” — Aarti Singhal [09:06]
“For investor relations to be able to do a good job, you really need to get under the skin of the game. You need to know the business extremely well, you need to know the assets very well, [and] you need to know the people very well.” — Aarti Singhal [11:15]
“One has to be a life-long learner – you can never stop learning.” — Aarti Singhal [17:25]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
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| Series 2: Ep 6: The Professionalisation of IR and Talent Recruitment with Anna Hartropp | 12 Sep 2023 | 00:28:59 | |
A decade ago, very few people were even aware of what investor relations (IR) is, but today it is a very important part of most companies, regardless of their size. As someone who has held positions in politics, communications, in-house IR, and investment banking, and who is the founder of an IR recruitment company, Anna Hartropp has a wealth of knowledge that will greatly benefit anyone interested in entering or making a career progression move in the IR space. In contrast to many other recruiters, Anna prioritises the candidates in the recruiting process as much as she does her clients (the hiring companies). After listening to this episode, you will have a better understanding of the trends that are taking place in the IR space, how to prepare for an interview for an IR role, what IR rewards packages generally look like, and more! People who work in IR usually love what they do, which is why so many IR professionals spend their entire careers in the space; tune in today to hear how you can become one of them! Key Points From This Episode: • Introducing Anna Hartopp, the founder of Anna Hartropp Limited. • Factors that make Anna’s approach to IR recruitment unique. • What motivated Anna to transition from investor relations to recruitment. • Elements that Anna most and least enjoyed about working in the investor relations space. • The key factors that Anna looks for when recruiting a candidate. • How the IR space has evolved over the last decade. • Post-COVID trends that Anna has noticed as a recruiter. • Advice for preparing for an interview for an IR role. • How to decide whether to make a career move within the IR space. • The balance that is important to strike during an interview for an IR role. • Challenges of being an IR recruiter. • The importance of being open to expecting the unexpected in the IR space. • Changes in IR rewards packages that have taken place over the past few years. • Anna’s top tips for someone who is in the early stages of their IR career. • What Anna loves about her job. • Advice for anyone interested in founding their own business. • Anna’s future plans.
Quotes: “I focus a lot on my candidates rather than just my clients. Yes, my clients mandate me, but my candidates are the people I want to grow with through their careers.” — Anna Hartropp [0:01:39]
“It is almost 10% experience and aptitude and competency, and it is 90% cultural fit.” — Anna Hartropp [0:04:48]
“IR has gone from being something that only a few companies had and most people had not ever heard of to being something that even small-cap companies now have budget and resource for in some shape or form.” — Anna Hartropp [0:05:45]
“Make any move in your career as long as you can justify it and back it up.” — Anna Hartropp [0:15:07]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 2: Ep 5: Listen, Reflect, Act: Learning Through a Variety of IR Experiences with Siobhán Andrews | 25 Aug 2023 | 00:31:23 | |
In this episode, we delve into the world of Investor Relations (IR) with a true luminary in the field, Siobhán Andrews. With over 16 years of unparalleled expertise, Siobhán has carved a remarkable path in the world of capital markets, equity research, and IR. Her ability to navigate complex scenarios, from strategic transformations to crisis communications, is a testament to her deep market knowledge and innate understanding of investors' needs. Join us as we sit down with Siobhán to unravel the secrets behind her communication prowess and how her extensive career experience has shaped her approach to IR. We explore her journey through the intricate landscapes of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the opportunities and challenges of working in a small team, her BG Group deal experience, switching career paths, and the benefits of being a mentor. She also shares essential advice to help advance your IR career and tips for setting up the perfect event. Whether you're an investor relations professional, industry enthusiast, a seasoned investor, or someone curious about the world of IR, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and insights. Tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: • The opportunities and challenges of working with a small team. • Why exposure to the C-suite is so essential. • Siobhán’s motivation for becoming a mentor. • Career progression hurdles and how to overcome them. • How her career journey influenced her approach to IR. • Navigating career transitions and embracing new roles. • Advice for anyone considering switching from equity research into an IR career. • Tips for setting up a successful capital markets day event. • Her role in the BG Group deal and the insights gained. • Potential uses of AI and technology in Investor Relations. • Managing stress in high-pressure work environments.
Quotes: “When you switch to a one-person team and you know what best practice looks like, you really need to prioritise what you are going to do, and ultimately the buck stops with you.” — Siobhán Andrews [0:01:38]
“I think in any new role my advice would be listen, reflect, and act.” — Siobhán Andrews [0:12:42]
“I always see [challenging moments] as a great opportunity to learn from and, professionally, they really help advance you.” — Siobhán Andrews [0:29:51]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| Series 2: Ep 4: IR and the evolution of a global logistics business with John Crosse | 08 Aug 2023 | 00:40:08 | |
In today's episode of Enquire we speak with John Crosse, the Director of Investor Relations and Group Strategy at International Distribution Services plc (IDS), formerly Royal Mail plc, where he has been transforming the IR function over the past three and a half years. John’s IR career spans an impressive 20 years and includes establishing IR functions both pre and post IPO. In this episode we hear some great insight into his work in investor relations, and how he currently splits his time and energy between his investor relations and business strategy responsibilities. Further insights include the influence of investors on business decisions, how new technology might impact investor relations, and some of the biggest lessons that John has learnt about communication.
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| Series 2: Ep 3: Advancing your career in Investor Relations with James Cartwright | 26 May 2023 | 00:17:35 | |
In our ongoing exploration of investor relations out of the ordinary, we are joined today by James Cartwright, Chief Operating Officer at CMC Markets. James has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the capital markets, specifically in sales and across the natural resources sector in oil and gas. After just two years at CMC Markets, James was promoted to COO, an inspiring career move that we delve into in this conversation. For anyone looking to advance their career in IR, James shares his tips for developing relationships, getting face-time with key decision-makers, and staying on top of trends. We also take a look at CMC’s approach to sustainability, how James overcame some of the challenges that came with his transition into IR, and much more, so be sure to tune into today’s episode of the Enquire Podcast! • A look at James’ rich career background and what brought him to investor relations. • Challenges that came with his transition from the natural resources sector to fintech. • Tips for developing an internal network of relationships: be bold! • Insight into James’ involvement and interaction with key decision-makers at CMC. • The story of his recent promotion to Chief Operating Officer. • How CMC is approaching communication around sustainability. • Ways to stay on top of trends and innovations in the world of IR. • Emerging technologies that are impacting the IR profession. • Advice for the next generation of IR professionals: understand the numbers. • Words of wisdom for anyone looking to advance within their company. • Amusing anecdotes from James’ time in fintech! | |||
| Series 2: Ep 2: Managing Three Full-Time Jobs Worth of Responsibilities with Adam Richford | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:34:51 | |
Today’s guest is an experienced treasury guru who is deeply passionate about sustainability. Joining us for this episode of Enquire is Adam Richford, Head of Treasury and Investor Relations at Renewi, to discuss his many roles at this incredible waste-to-product company. Tuning in, you’ll hear about our guest’s career, how he managed to take on so many roles (including acting CFO for a time), how he allocates his time, and much more! We learn how Renewi raises money and attracts investors, how Adam contributes to the company’s communication plan, and their need for shares. Finally, Adam tells us about how he handles difficult situations and reminds us of the importance of laughter in tough times. Thank you for tuning in! Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “If you want a resilient Investor Relations function that’s performing really well, you need to have dedicated resourcing to make that happen.” — @Adam_Richford [0:13:36] “There’s a natural home for Renewi amongst investors that are focused on sustainability.” — @Adam_Richford [0:17:52] | |||
| Series 2: Ep 1: Entrepreneurial Culture and Capital Markets Day Success with Jose Federico Castillo Martínez | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:34:22 | |
Today we are joined by The Heineken Company’s Investor Relations Director, Jose Federico Castillo Martínez, to discuss Heineken’s approach to executing a successful capital markets day and his role within the company. We learn about Heineken’s unique entrepreneurial culture and shareholder structure and how Federico stays aligned with management, operations, and marketing regarding investor communications. Tune in as Federico guides us through the role of communication in reassuring the market in trying times and how best to stay on top of operations as IR director. Key Points From This Episode:
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| Ep 09: What It Takes To Thrive In Investor Relations with Peregrine Rivière | 23 Nov 2022 | 00:50:33 | |
Peregrine Rivière has spent most of his career in the investor relations space, and the passion that he feels towards his work (and towards the business world in general) is unwavering. In fact, he’s sure he has the best job in the world! The day that this episode was recorded was Peregrine’s last day as the Director of Investor Relations for WPP, and he is looking forward to his new journey as the Head of Investor Relations at the London Stock Exchange. Tune in today to hear about Peregrine’s transition from accounting and investor research to investor relations, the project that won him the Best Innovation in Investor Relations Award, the importance of flexibility and “paying it forward” in the investor relations space, advice for staying on top of investor relations trends, and more. If you’re interested in what it takes to build a successful career in investor relations, you’ve come to the right place! Key Points From This Episode:
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| Ep 08: The Evolution of IR with Miriam McKay | 09 Nov 2022 | 00:36:00 | |
We’ve had many impressive guests on the show, but none as experienced as IR professional, Miriam McKay. Miriam has almost 30 years of experience in financial markets, starting at Reuters, moving on to running IR for two listed fund managers, Henderson and Man Group, before settling into her current position as Director of Group Communications and Investor Relations at HomeServe. Today, she joins us to answer our pressing questions about her inspiring career journey and the evolution of investor relations over the years. Miriam fills us in on the respective challenges of managing M&A communications and managing IR in a dual-listed business. We learn about the critical relationship between IR and leadership, as well as the legal team, and the importance of maintaining in-person contact with management, from an investor’s perspective. Miriam addresses the fundamental changes in the industry in terms of communicating and prioritising ESG, as well as the exciting possibilities for IR in the digital realm. Tune in to hear from someone who has lived through the changes and truly examined IR from every angle. You won’t want to miss out on Miriam’s insights and advice! Key Points From This Episode:
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| Ep 07: Thinking Differently About IR with Rob Gurner | 26 Oct 2022 | 00:36:23 | |
As part of our first series of conversations with senior investor relations professionals in the UK, we are delighted to be joined by Rob Gurner to talk about ways to innovate and think differently about IR. Rob is a highly experienced Head of Investor Relations who currently serves as Head of IR for Plus500, a global FinTech company. He has previously held senior IR roles at Inmarsat, Dentsu, Lonmin, and G4S, and he also sits on the Conference Committee of the Investor Relations Society in the UK. In today’s episode, Rob shares his IR career journey to date and reflects on the unique perspective he gained from his background in public relations. You’ll find out what drew him to IR in the first place, his advice for those entering the industry, and his perspective on some of the biggest challenges facing IR professionals today, as well as why he is a big believer in banging the drum for IR internally. We also touch on how he has seen investor relations evolve, including the impact that trends like MiFID II, COVID, and the rise of private investors have had on the industry, and Rob emphasises the importance of collaboration, educating yourself on best practice, and keeping up to speed with new technology. Tune in today for practical insights into getting out of your comfort zone and more from experienced IR professional, Rob Gurner! Key Points From This Episode:
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| EP 33: Maria Elena Drew - How IR Professionals Can Integrate ESG into Investment Decisions | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:40:18 | |
ESG matters have become a major focus in investment portfolios over the past decade. What was considered a more niche branch of investing has taken centre stage in the world of investor relations. In this episode of Enquire - The Investor Relations Podcast, we sit down with Maria Elena Drew, Director of Research for Responsible Investing at T. Rowe Price, to learn more about how IR teams can approach ESG. Balancing Responsible Investing with Financial Performance Maria shares her fascinating journey from equity investor to ESG specialist, recounting her experiences with high-profile cases like Enron and Yukos. She offers a unique perspective on how these experiences shaped her approach to incorporating ESG factors into investment decisions. Maria takes us through T. Rowe Price's proprietary ESG rating system, known as the Responsible Investing Indicator Model (RIIM). She explains how this system covers over 15,000 corporate issuers and combines data from various sources with their own fundamental analysis. Maria also discusses the collaborative approach between the responsible investing team and portfolio managers, highlighting how they work together on company engagements and portfolio reviews. The conversation then shifts to the specifics of analysing companies through an ESG lens. Maria breaks down how T. Rowe Price examines environmental and social metrics, considering both a company's operations and its end products. She emphasises the importance of tailoring the analysis to different industries and geographies, showcasing the nuanced approach required in responsible investing. Throughout the episode, Maria's insights provide a valuable glimpse into the evolving world of ESG integration in investment decision-making. In This Episode:
Quotes: “What's interesting about ESG is it grew so fast in the industry, you know, it went from being pretty much irrelevant, except to really niche group of investors, to becoming a table stakes requirement.” “The number one trend we're seeing right now is looking at a relatively new metric, which would be net zero status.” Resources: | |||
| Ep 06: Bethany Barnes, Director of Investor Relations at Dr. Martens | 11 Oct 2022 | 00:41:05 | |
The majority of people working in investor relations discover the field after they have already started their careers. This is not the case for today’s guest, Bethany Barnes, Director of Investor Relations at Dr. Martens. While she spent some time as a retail analyst, Bethany always knew she wanted to work in IR, so she structured her career and work experience to position her to move into the field. Join us today as we discuss how she did this, what surprised her most about the role (despite her preparation!), and why she chose a job opportunity that meant she had to start the company’s IR from scratch. We hear how IR has evolved over the last few years, and why networking within, and across companies is so key to a successful career. We also learn about IR within Dr. Martens, from how Bethany is building her team to how she communicates with boards, to working with three brokers and to their focus on sustainability. Bethany is a credit to the field, so you don’t want to miss out on this exciting episode!
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| Ep 05: Stuart Morgan on The Importance of Building Relationships | 28 Sep 2022 | 00:34:02 | |
With us in conversation today, we have Stuart Morgan, Director of Investor Relations at Capita. During today’s conversation, we pick his brain to learn about the ins and outs of his career journey to date, and what has kept his interest in the field of Investor Relations. The skills of an IR are a unique combination, and Stuart shares what he is most proud of having achieved in the industry. We touch on board relationships, and why it’s never enough just to crunch the numbers. You’ll hear his thoughts on whether the hybrid or digital model is sufficient for building relationships, and how he is prioritising staying on top of trends in the absence of in-person conferences and events. Stuart shares his thoughts on ESG and how sustainability should have been part of the conversation long before this was implemented, and he tells us why curiosity and goal-setting are essential to a career in IR. Along with his comprehensive and insightful answers, Stuart asks us some pertinent questions! Tune in to hear more today.
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| Ep 04: From Accounting to Investor Relations with Simon McGough | 14 Sep 2022 | 00:38:49 | |
Joining us in conversation today is Simon McGough, who has recently started a new position as President of Investor Relations at Wood engineering and consultancy group. He has held a range of senior positions, including acting as a director for Babcock. Additionally, he is involved with the Investor Relations Society in the UK and sits on the Best Practice Committee. During this episode, you’ll hear Simon’s tips for anyone exiting accounting and kicking off a career in investing, drawn from his own experience. You’ll hear what he is planning for his new role, and which aspects of the culture at Wood he has appreciated most. He shares his plans in terms of engaging with the board and how he hopes to improve the executive team’s access to the market. We touch on sustainability before diving into some differences between his role at Babcock and his work at Wood. You’ll also hear about trends he has noticed in the market, along with the shifts he has seen in investor relations. We talk about targeting, innovation, and competition in the IR space, as well as what his work as part of the Best Practice Committee involves. Tune in today to hear all this and more. Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Simon McGough on Linkedin | |||
| Ep 03: The Evolution of Investor Relations with Carla Bloom | 01 Sep 2022 | 00:38:50 | |
Welcome to today’s episode of Enquire. We are delighted to have senior investor relations specialist, Carla Bloom, with us to discuss the evolution of investor relations during her 17-year career. Join us to hear about her experience of transitioning between sectors within the field, and how she has benefitted from her network at Brewin Dolphin. You’ll hear why she has chosen to stay in IR and what she enjoys about the relationships she gets to have with multiple stakeholders in her role. Find out what the most challenging aspects of her journey have been, why it is so important to keep up with trends in an ever-changing role, and what her role looks like internally before we touch on relating to board members and talk about chairman roadshows, sustainability targets, and shareholder interactions. We also discuss 2021’s sustainability report, which was considered their best yet! Carla shares her tips on self-education, training others, and some of the ways she is training her new team member. You’ll hear what she wishes she knew at the start of her career, why she believes that having your own style of doing things is not a weakness, and what she thinks about bouncing back from mistakes. Thanks for tuning in! We hope you learn something from today’s inspiring guest. Key Points From This Episode:
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| Ep 02: The Value of Face-to-Face Interaction with Hugo Fisher | 11 Aug 2022 | 00:24:54 | |
The last few years have brought communication technology and strategies to the fore, but there are key concerns around the downsides of digital comms that many professionals are looking forward to leaving behind. Today we sit down with accomplished investor relations director, Hugo Fisher, to discuss the value of face-to-face interactions, the difficulties of access in the time of COVID, and some reflections on his wealth of experience across multiple transactions in his current role at D.S Smith. With more than 15 years of advising corporate clients under his belt, including 9 years in his current position, Hugo kicks the conversation off with how he found the transition to investor relations, before taking us on a virtual tour of his role at D.S Smith. After a quick foray into their acquisition of Europac and some learnings from the transactional side, Hugo shares his top advice for anyone interested in entering the field, as well as the importance of having a management team that you trust and who will trust you. His company is no stranger to sustainability efforts; we also touch on their strategy and communication on ESG matters before diving into the specific skillset he looks for in a hire, and the biggest mistake he often sees in the field: overcomplicating things too soon! To hear his perspectives on current trends and the downsides to virtual comms, particularly as it relates to the needs of IR, tune in to yet another insightful conversation with a top investor relations professional in the UK.
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| Ep 01: Getting Experience As A Board Member with Helen Parris | 10 Jun 2022 | 00:43:11 | |
Today we are joined by Helen Parris to continue our series of conversations with investor relations professionals in the UK. Helen is a highly experienced Investor Relations Director. She started her career on the buyer side before moving into IR. Most recently, Helen was Director of Investor Relations for G4S for 13 years. She also spent several years on the board of the IR Society in the UK. We begin our conversation with Helen recounting her experiences on the buyer side from different parts of her early career. From there, Helen tracks the shift she made into IR, recounting her time as an IR Manager at BG Group and why she decided to make the move to G4S from there. We speak about the many shifts that occurred within G4S, the challenges Helen faced during this time, and how she overcame them. She talks about how she handled feelings of restlessness and gained valuable experience as a board member by joining the IR Society and becoming a trustee for the G4S pension fund. We hear about repetitional challenges G4S faced and how Helen worked to pique investor interest through site visits and more. Our conversation also covers the value of financial education and experience on the buyer side, the key role ESG played in G4S corporate strategy, and a whole lot more. Helen brings a huge amount of IR experience to a conversation that you are not going to want to miss, so be sure to tune in today. Key Points From This Episode:
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| EP32: Peter Reynolds: How to Succeed in IR - Lessons from a 30-Year Career | 18 Sep 2024 | 00:36:41 | |
While investor relations may have evolved over the past 30 years, some things remain consistent – the value of building great relationships with investors has always been fundamental to building a successful career in IR. As someone with an impressive 30-year career across corporate finance, equity research, and investor relations, Peter Reynolds, Director of IR at Whitbread, joins this episode of Enquire, the Investor Relations Podcast, to share insights and advice gained from IR roles in multiple industries.
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| EP31: Isabel Green: Why Relationship Building & Curiosity Are Must - Have Traits in IR | 02 Sep 2024 | 00:38:26 | |
Have you ever wondered what truly sets successful investor relations professionals apart? In this episode of Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast, we explore how the power of curiosity and relationship-building have helped Isabel Green, Former EVP & Head of Investor Relations at Rolls-Royce and now IR Director at HBX Group, lead a successful IR career. Relationships Are at the Heart of IR Isabel shares her journey through various sectors and highlights the importance of diving into new roles and learning as much as possible. For Isabel, being curious and committed to learning is essential for IR, as is the ability to develop great working relationships with investors and colleagues. We hear her take on how to enhance your messaging for investors, using a mixture of content resources and effective communication that puts the audience’s needs front and centre. She explains how this helps to drive results and build lasting relationships with potential investors. Throughout the conversation, Isabel also reflects on her experiences managing investor relations during challenging times, including corporate transformations and market fluctuations. In This Episode:
Quotes: “If you don't know what's going on in the business, you're not much use to the investors. If you don't know what's going on in the market, you're not much use to your board and your executive team.” “Being curious, I think is the most important. You've got to love learning. You've got to love understanding new things.” “If someone ultimately is investing hundreds of millions in your company, they want to look you in the eye. They don't want to be asking a chatbot.” Resources: | |||
| EP30: Wayne Brown - Challenges and Opportunities in the UK Equity Landscape | 15 Jul 2024 | 00:43:39 | |
This episode of Enquire, featuring Equity Research Analyst at Panmure Gordon and Liberum Wayne Brown, explores the challenges and potential reforms in the UK equity markets, the impact of market cycles, and the innovative business models redefining the retail landscape. Equity Market Trends and Challenges In this episode of Enquire, Wayne provides an in-depth look into his two-decade-long career, spanning consumer sectors with a focus on leisure and retail. He shares insights into the recent merger of Panmure Gordon and Liberum, forming the largest independent mid-cap brokerage house and how this consolidation offers new opportunities for diversified coverage and business resilience. Wayne also sheds light on the daily pressures of a sell-side analyst, why he’s always at his desk by 7am, and the importance of proactive communication with fund managers and investor relations teams. Wayne highlights the importance of clear communication, consistent KPIs, and proactive idea pitching. The conversation also delves into structural market changes, the rise of private equity, IPO activity, and evolving communication strategies of IR teams over the past decade. In This Episode:
Quotes: “A lot of the management teams are much keener to travel to the US than they had been previously, but I'd always caution the IR teams to do their research in terms of the investors before taking on the additional cost of traveling over there and identify the correct sort of locations and investors to engage with.”
“The biggest challenge has been the fact that there's been a lack of inflows into the [UK] market. And I'll say, I think we've started to see the green shoots of that turning.” Resources: | |||
| EP29: Nick Stone - Navigating Challenges and Trends in the IR Space | 03 Jul 2024 | 00:37:27 | |
There’s a lot that IR professionals can learn from their peers and from how other businesses manage investor relations. On the show this week is Nick Stone, Senior Vice President, Head of IR at GSK. We hear how he launched his IR career and his tips for success. Lessons from a Head of IR In this episode, Nick shares stories from his career, starting from his time studying law to getting involved in corporate strategy and business development, before making the move into IR. We hear how his experiences have shaped his career, including 17 years in corporate strategy, business development and IR at AstraZeneca, and how his experience provided him with a unique skillset for furthering his career in investor relations at GSK. Nick explains the challenges of leading a large IR team, the importance of good internal communication, and how IROs can learn from peers to combat challenges and grow their careers. We also touch on the role of AI in IR. For Nick, while it provides opportunities to streamline workflow, his advice is that IROs should remain cautious when using it. In This Episode:
Quotes: “What you have to come back to is just really your core set of values. I need to be open and honest in terms of my engagement with the market. I have to be transparent.” “Internal relationships in any organisation are incredibly important, from the board all the way through the organisation.” “Everybody's going to want high quality global asset managers. You also really want to have a level of balance across regions of the globe so you don't have overexposure in certain instances.” Resources: | |||
| EP28: John Stevenson & Jonathan Pritchard - What Analysts and Investors Want to See from IR Teams | 17 Jun 2024 | 00:35:42 | |
What do investors really need from IR? In this episode, we hear the perspective of two retail analysts who break down the responsibilities, challenges, and industry shifts that affect their roles, plus how IR can build an effective partnership with investors and analysts. How IR Can Work with Analysts and Investors John Stevenson, Retail Equity Analyst and Jonathan Pritchard, Retail Analyst from Peel Hunt join the Enquire podcast to share their perspectives as analysts when it comes to IR. We begin by hearing how they began their careers in different ways and wound up working together. They break down their methods for dividing responsibilities in their team and explain what an average day looks like for a retail analyst. John and Jonathan go on to explore what makes a great IR meeting, how good communication is key to closing deals, and what mistakes IR professionals can avoid. In This Episode: · How John and Jonathan built their careers · How they divide responsibilities · Recent industry changes · Why investors want research, not “journalism” · An average day for analysts · How John and Jonathan work with hedge funds · How COVID changed investor interactions · What IR teams can do to ensure good communication · The biggest shifts in IR · A common mistake IR teams make · What IR teams should disclose to investors · How the UK market is changing
Quotes: “We've got to the stage now where I think the valuation gap is so huge. You can see that from the level of M&A coming through, I think ultimately, something has to give.” – John Stevenson “My first ever boss said it's better to be 95 percent right in 10 minutes than 100 percent right in two hours.” – Jonathan Pritchard “Post-COVID, Zoom and Teams has become the norm. And that's changed a lot of our interactions. I would say that most days now, we've got some form of video call with an investor.” – John Stevenson Resources: | |||
| EP27: Matthew Johnson - The Psychology Behind Investor Relations | 03 Jun 2024 | 00:34:20 | |
In the world of investor relations, communication and building relationships are paramount. To succeed in this field, you need to understand what influences a person’s investment decision. Knowing your audience well helps you to communicate and deliver information in a way that resonates with them. This week’s guest shares important insights on how to do just that. Understand the Psychology of Investors Matthew Johnson, the Director of IR & CEO Office at Vodafone, joins us in this episode to talk about the soft skills and psychology knowledge that have served him well in his career. He takes us back to when he first started working in corporate strategy, eventually finding his calling in IR. We hear about the different roles and industries he’s operated in, as well as the skills and knowledge he’s accumulated throughout his career. Matthew explains his approach to coaching and maintaining consistent communication within his team, plus how that relates on a broader scale to Vodafone’s subsidiaries. One of Matthew’s interests is behavioural psychology. He explains how he uses this to inform his approach to communicating with investors – both in meetings and in documentation. Matthew’s conversation is full of brilliant insights and advice on how IR has changed during his career, how it differs across borders, his thoughts on the role of AI in Investor Relations, and the KPIs that IR professionals should prioritise. In this episode: · How working in IR delivery differs between Australia and the UK · How Matthew built an IR function from scratch · How focusing on commercial outcomes can enhance the success of ESG initiatives · The benefits of understanding behavioural psychology in investor engagement · Matthew’s approach to coaching team members across a large IR team · How data helps you track trends to improve investor communication · How to develop your specialist expertise to support your career Quotes: “Economic theory suggests that people, and therefore financial markets, are rational, always. Which is utter nonsense. It just doesn't happen because there are people involved. We are not robots.” “The more data I get, the more my opinion turns into a judgement that I can then use to make a confident recommendation on how a plan should be enacted.” “I've done over 10,000 meetings and my single ambition in every single one is to make that other person laugh. It's not because I want to be a comedian, it's about understanding the thought process, the physiological responses, as well as the psychological responses of humour. Immediately, it's breaking down a barrier and putting that other person at ease.” Resources: | |||
| Episode 38: Karen Keyes - Why In-Depth Financial Knowledge is an Advantage to Great IR Communication | 09 Dec 2024 | 00:38:49 | |
Is financial acumen or simply good communication the most important ingredient to succeeding in investor relations? Communication and the ability to build rapport with investors is often highlighted as the one thing that sets great IR professionals apart. But in this episode, Karen Keyes, Head of IR at Canadian Tire Corporation (‘CTC’), explains why financial knowledge is crucial when communicating well with investors. Don’t Underestimate the Need for Good Financial Knowledge Karen joins the podcast to discuss her 20+ years of experience in IR across different industries and countries. We hear about the challenges of managing major corporate events such as acquisitions and shareholder activism, economic downturns, and adjusting to different IR practices in the UK and Canada. As we talk about her current role at Canadian Tire Corporation, Karen explains how she manages investor perspectives while representing a beloved national brand. She shares her must-have IR tools, how her team is experimenting with AI, and her thoughts on how IR has changed throughout her career. In This Episode
Quotes: “One of the mistakes people sometimes make in IR is getting very fixated on the market and the investor and analyst audience. I think it's really important, to be successful, to be able to transition and think about stakeholder relations.” “The biggest feedback for people trying to explore AI for IR would be that it's really about the prompts and it's about human intelligence and learning. So there's no substitute for knowing IR and then using the tool to help you be more efficient.” “I think the most transferable skill has been the skill that you acquire by being part of the finance team, how to think about a P&L and a balance sheet, how to think about valuation. You need to be able to sit in a finance leadership meeting and listen for the right information.” Resources: | |||
| Episode 37: Paul Hewlett - The Digital Transformation of Investor Relations | 25 Nov 2024 | 00:42:19 | |
Investor relations in the digital age has seen big changes in the way we communicate with investors and shareholders, thanks to the evolution of technology. In this episode, we dive into how Workspace Group’s IR department has embraced the changes that new technology can offer with Paul Hewlett, Director of Strategy & Corporate Development. Technology and Emotional Intelligence Are Key to IR Success Today With over two decades of experience in corporate finance and broking and a 14-year stint at J.P. Morgan, Paul has a strong track record of building great client relationships and managing complex investor transactions. He now focuses on accelerating growth and enhancing shareholder value at Workspace Group and joins the podcast to give us a behind-the-scenes look at IR in his team. Paul breaks down his career journey so far, what he’s learned and how he’s applied a wealth of knowledge to his current role. We talk about the impact of digital transformation on communicating value and performance to shareholders, the importance of emotional intelligence, and his experience of how IR has changed. Paul tells us that some of the biggest changes in IR have been technology’s impact on the sector and regulatory changes, and he explains how they have shaped his role. In This Episode
Quotes: “People will not always remember what you do or indeed what you say, but they'll always remember how you make them feel. You've got to ensure they feel like they're being listened to and it might not necessarily mean you take all their ideas or indeed any of their ideas, but stay close to your shareholders.” “It used to be that IQ is always important. But now it’s more of an understanding as to the people and how to drive them. Not just recruit the right people, but once you've got them, keeping them engaged. I think you're seeing that across the business sector.” “If investors understand and believe that you have a product that customers and prospective customers are willing to pay for, you've done a lot to get them there. They are much more likely to become buyers with that foundation of knowledge. And so that alignment and communication is really important.” Resources: | |||