Bank of America offices, London
The IR Magazine Think Tank – Europe will take place on Thursday, June 22, in London and is an invitation-only event exclusively for senior IR officers. It is free to attend, and our unique format enables participants to network extensively, discuss, debate and dissect topical issues affecting today’s IROs.
What makes our format so unique?
Our think tanks are far removed from the traditional conference setup as the event consists of panel sessions followed by roundtable discussions on select IR issues. These interactive sessions are an opportunity to share experiences with and learn from other top-rated investor relations professionals. All table discussions are confidential, and none of the participants’ comments is attributed, allowing attendees to talk freely and have frank, open discussions.
How do our roundtable discussions work?
Industry experts, top-rated IROs and members of the investment community set the agenda for a panel discussion by sharing their thoughts on session topics.
Small round tables of IROs discuss these issues face to face.
Each table gives feedback and shares ideas with the group as a whole.
Investors, analysts and award-winning issuers will share best practices. Roundtable discussions will follow panel discussions. Timings are subject to change.
08:15 AM
Registration, breakfast and morning networking
08:50 AM
Welcome to the think tank
Steven Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
Mark Troman, deputy head of EMEA equity research, Bank of America
09:00 AM
IR in a 'poly-crisis': Respond to converging macro challenges
Supply chain disruptions, volatile markets and geopolitical tensions each constitute a significant challenge for IR. Together, they are what some have dubbed a ‘poly-crisis’: a complex mix of challenges greater than the sum of its parts. But a poly-crisis is also a ‘poly-opportunity’.
This panel will discuss how IR teams can communicate resilience in uncharted territory and drive value in rapidly changing markets.
• Clarify and respond to increasing market uncertainty
• Navigate evolving supply chain and geopolitical tensions
• Reasons to be optimistic: Key drivers of growth on the road to recovery
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
Amit Bhalla, SVP head of investor relations, Schneider Electric
Ruben Segura-Cayuela, head of Europe economics, Bank of America
09:30 AM
Roundtables: Communicate long-term resilience to shareholders
10:00 AM
New ESG priorities: Regulations, reporting and reality
Interest in ESG is at an all-time high. This year the CSRD entered into force, the ISSB is releasing the first of its standards, and the TNFD is launching its final framework. However, many on the buy side still feel there is a disconnect between targets and action and between good storytelling and robust data. Here we discuss how to:
• Prepare for new acronyms: How are standards evolving and aligning?
• Go from targets to action: Investor expectations around transition plans
• Communicate ESG information authentically in an age of increasing ESG fatigue
Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
Simon Gittings, creative director, Investis
Panos Seretis, head of EMEA ESG research, Bank of America
10:30 AM
ESG oversight and activism prevention
Companies are increasingly being held to account by their shareholders. A growth in pass-through voting and the growing influence of proxy advisory firms mean that boards, management, and IR teams must deepen their relationship with investor stewardship teams.
ESG issues increasingly feature in European activist campaigns, often alongside themes such as governance matters, potential M&A transactions and other efforts to increase shareholder returns. This session will explore the steps IR teams can take to enhance ESG oversight, prepare for the next AGM and prevent ESG-related activism.
• Understand the trends as it relates to investor stewardship and ESG activism
• Learn how to apply ESG best practices and optimize governance
• Hear how IR should communicate to the board about ESG and climate targets
Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
Jana Jevcakova, managing director and head of ESG International, Morrow Sodali
11:00 AM
Morning networking break
11:30 AM
Identifying and targeting investors in uncertain times
As markets and the fight for capital evolves, IROs must find effective and creative ways to identify and target investors.
Here we’ll be sharing advice on how to engage with an increasingly dynamic market, fine-tune your company story, leverage new technologies to maximize the efficiency of your outreach and communicate with a wide range of investors.
• Access new sources of capital as the market and shareholder bases evolve
• Communicate growth and revenue loss to buy-side and sell-side analysts
• Discuss the shift from active to passive investment is changing targeting strategies
• Understand different approaches to targeting investors in a range of geographies
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
Tish Crawford-Jones, director of IR, Q4
12:00 PM
Fireside chat: Growing and strengthening your retail shareholder base
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
James Deal, co-founder and head of UK, PrimaryBid
12:15 PM
The 'new normal': Shareholder engagement and re-engagement in a hybrid world
More than three years have passed since Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic, and companies are still figuring out the right balance between in-person and virtual meetings.
But how has the conversation changed? Which companies are leading the way when it comes to hybrid engagement, and what new tools and technologies enable IROs to connect better with their shareholders?
• Learn how other IR teams are rethinking their virtual/in-person balance
• Understand different geographical expectations around direct and indirect engagement
• Best-in-class roadshows, capital markets days and other events in a hybrid world
Moderator: Laurence Taylor, senior conference producer, IR Magazine
Ben Riley, head of business development, Lumi
12:45 PM
Roundtables: Targeting and engagement best practices
13:15 PM
Lunch
14:15 PM
Leveraging new technology to enhance your IR program
There is debate over the impact tools like ChatGPT will have on investor relations. Still, there is no doubt that automation and AI are transforming multiple industries and presenting entirely new risks and opportunities for IROs.
In this panel, we will discuss the key trends in automation and AI that IROs should be watching out for and share advice on how to effectively use (and not use) these technologies to enhance your IR program.
• An overview of the biggest technological trends impacting IROs today
• Debate the risks, opportunities and limitations of automation and AI in IR
• Case studies: Effective application of automation and AI to enhance productivity
Moderator: Lauren McDonald, conference producer, IR Magazine
Erik Carlson, COO and CFO, Notified
14:45 PM
The evolution of IR talent: Setting yourself and your team up for success
The role and perception of IR have evolved significantly over the last few years, with many IROs becoming increasingly involved in other sides of the business and taking on more responsibilities.
Here we explore what the trend towards more diverse and adaptable talent means for the career prospects of IROs, the development of teams and the future of the profession as a whole.
• Understand and respond to changing management expectations of IROs
• Share career development strategies to future-proof your IR team
• After IR: Learn the next steps for IROs looking to move into managerial roles
Moderator: Lauren McDonald, conference producer, IR Magazine
Thomas Kudsk Larson, former SVP & head of IR, Sobi
15:15 PM
Roundtables: Tips on upskilling and modernizing your IR team
15:45 PM
Investor Q&A: Understand investor priorities in 2023 and beyond
During this open Q&A session, our panel of investors will address any concerns and questions about what to expect in 2023. This is your chance to engage directly with a range of investors on various topics, including:
• Opportunities and concerns for the buy side in the context of market uncertainty
• Learn which sectors and industries European investors are focusing on in 2023
• Understand investors’ red and green flags when it comes to engaging with IROs
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
Jonas Hoersch, portfolio manager, Walleye Capital
16:15 PM
Closing remarks and end of think tank
Steven Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
New speakers added daily!
Amit Bhalla
SVP – head of investor relations
Schneider Electric
Amit Bhalla is the Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations at Schneider Electric based in London. Amit started his career in consulting and has over the years worked in diverse corporate and finance leadership roles in multinational corporations across UK, Singapore, China, France and India. Amit is a qualified Chartered Accountant with management courses from Insead and UNC.
Erik Carlson
COO and CFO
Notified
Tish Crawford-Jones
Director of IR
Q4
James Deal
Co-founder and head of UK
PrimaryBid
Jonas Hoersch
Portfolio manager
Walleye Capital
Tim Human
Senior reporter
IR Magazine
Simon Gittings
Creative director
Investis
Jana Jevcakova
Managing director, corporate governance
Morrow Sodali
Joanna Kennedy
Head of investor relations
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company
Thomas Kudsk Larson
Former SVP & head of IR
Sobi
Lauren McDonald
Conference producer
IR Magazine
Ben Riley
head of business development
Lumi
Ben Riley is one of the UK’s leading AGM and Investor Relations experts and has wide ranging experience of delivering successful AGMs and shareholder engagement days across the global marketplace, acting for both Issuers and non-listed organisations.
His technical expertise has helped companies successfully harness the power of virtual and hybrid meetings and, coupled with Lumi’s leading on-premise capabilities, has delivered hundreds of successful physical, hybrid and virtual AGMs and Investor Relations meetings.
Ruben Segura-Cayuela
Head of European economics research
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Ruben Segura-Cayuela is a Managing Director and the head of Europe Economics Research. The Europe economics team was ranked #1 in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 II Global Fixed Income Research Survey. Prior to joining the firm, Segura-Cayuela was a senior economist at the International Affairs Directorate of Banco de España, where he was responsible for the coverage of global fiscal and structural policies as well as macroeconomic analysis and academic research. He has also worked as an advisor in macroeconomic and financial issues to the Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs in Spain. Segura-Cayuela was awarded a PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds a master’s degree in Economics and Finance from CEMFI.
Panos Seretis
Head of ESG research – EMEA
Bank of America Merill Lynch
Laurence Taylor
Senior conference producer
IR Magazine
Mark Troman
Deputy head of EMEA research
Bank of America
Mark Troman is deputy head of EMEA equity research at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, a post he has held since March 2019. Based in the London office. Mark was previously head of the Pan Europe Capital Goods research team, which covered around 40 stocks. Mark’s research focus was on larger electrical equipment companies but he also has extensive experience of the industrial machinery sector. The team was consistently highly ranked by the major investor surveys for over a decade. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Mark was a manager at LEK Consulting working on numerous projects, including the launch of the low-cost airline GO. Mark holds an MA in Engineering and a post-graduate distinction in management and finance, all from Cambridge University.
Steven Wade
Head of event content
IR Magazine
Our attendees are leading IR practitioners with an established track record and strategic IR roles within their company. Below is a sample list of attendees who have joined our think tanks in the past:
Job title | Company | Job title | Company | |
Director of investor relations | AstraZeneca | Head of investor relations | IG Group | |
Director of investor relations | Credit Suisse | Head of investor relations | Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits | |
Director of investor relations | Grifols | Head of investor relations | National Express | |
Director of IR and sustainable development | LSR Group | Head of investor relations | Nordea | |
Director, corporate finance and investor relations | Polymetal International | Head of investor relations | Phoenix Group Holdings | |
Director, investor relations & corporate finance | DCC | Head of investor relations | RWE | |
Head of investor relations | 4D Pharma | Head of investor relations | Santander UK | |
Head of investor relations | Aegon | Head of investor relations | Sound Energy | |
Head of investor relations | Banco Sistema | Head of investor relations | Spire Healthcare | |
Head of investor relations | Cargotec | Head of investor relations | Virgin Atlantic | |
Head of investor relations | Dialog Semiconductor | IR director | McCarthy & Stone | |
Head of investor relations | En+ Group | IR director | MTS |
Bank of America offices
2 King Edward Street
London
EC1A 1HQ
The entrance to the think tank space is on King Edward Street next to the taxi rank entrance. Click here to view a detailed map of the venue location.
Accommodation
IR Magazine has arranged preferential rates for think tank attendees at nearby hotels. View the hotels and rates by clicking here.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving large corporations, small and middle-market businesses and individual consumers in more than 150 countries with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. BofA Securities, the institutional broker dealer business of Bank of America, is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. The company provides, through various banking and broker-dealer affiliates, M&A advice, equity and debt capital-raising solutions, lending, risk management, treasury, liquidity and payments management. Bank of America Corporation is listed on the NYSE.
For more information, please visit www.bofaml.com
Think Tank Partners
Investis Digital has been at the forefront of digital communications for IR and Corp. Comms for the past 20 years, now a leading provider of IR and corporate websites, investor tools and feeds, virtual events, webcasts, performance marketing and the content and creative you need to build out your investment case and brand story, online. We use our Connected Content approach to help Investor Relations professionals build stronger stakeholder relationships, and increase effectiveness of their digital presence as we: Tell It, Build It, Run It and Find It. We also study what makes an effective digital presence with Connect.IQ – our annual analysis of over 300 criteria on 1,600 corporate and IR websites – so we can pinpoint the criteria that helps IROs make bigger, broader impact. For a complimentary, custom Connect.IQ report, or to learn more, visit InvestisDigital.com
Lumi is the dominant player globally in the provision of software and real-time audience engagement technology to facilitate Annual General and Investor Relations meetings for Companies (whether listed or non-listed), Associations, Legislative Bodies, Membership Organizations, and Partnerships. Based on proprietary, patented technology, Lumi provides software, hardware, and services that assist registrars, Investor Relations Officers, or event organizers to register delegates and provide live, secure polling, Q&A management services, and relevant reporting.
Lumi has offices in 12 countries across Europe, APAC, The Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Lumi’s platform not only provides efficient and secure solutions for annual or quarterly meetings but also supports companies in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. With the rise of ESG concerns, many companies are seeking ways to minimize their environmental impact, and Lumi’s platform provides a viable solution. By facilitating virtual attendance for stakeholders and shareholders, Lumi enables companies to reduce travel-related emissions and paper usage. This not only reduces the environmental impact of meetings but also provides a cost-effective and convenient solution for attendees who may not be able to travel to the meeting location. By leveraging Lumi’s platform, companies can demonstrate their commitment to ESG principles while enhancing engagement with their stakeholders.
For more information, visit: https://www.lumiglobal.com/investor-relations.
Morrow Sodali is the leading global consultancy specializing in shareholder services, corporate governance, proxy solicitation and capital markets transactions. The firm provides corporate boards and executives with strategic advice and services relating to a broad range of activities, including: mergers and acquisitions, annual general and extraordinary shareholder meetings, dissident and contested campaigns, shareholder activist initiatives and multinational cross-border equity and debt transactions.
From headquarters in New York and London and nine offices in major capital markets, Morrow Sodali serves more than 700 corporate clients in 40 countries, including many of the world’s largest multinational corporations. In addition to listed and private companies, its clients include mutual funds, stock exchanges, membership associations and activist investors.
For more information, visit morrowsodali.com
Notified is the world’s only communications cloud for events, public relations, and investor relations to drive meaningful insights and outcomes. Notified IR Cloud lets you manage stakeholder communications and regulatory requirements to maximize shareholder value. Tell your investment story with high-impact, multi-channel solutions – earnings announcements, press releases, webcasting, virtual events, and IR websites. Visit Notified.com to learn more.
Q4 is the fastest growing cloud-based investor relations and capital market solutions to the IR Industry with over 1,200 clients. Public companies the world over (many of which are Fortune 1000 brands) look to our leading web and intelligence solutions to power successful (and award winning) IR programs — and to better connect with their investors, make more effective decisions, and understand the capital markets.
Learn more at www.q4inc.com
Supported by
For 12 years now, the Association of Bulgarian Investor Relations Directors /ABIRD/ has been actively working to unite the interests and improve the qualification of local Investor Relations Directors – members of the organization, to improve the investment climate in Bulgaria and introduce high standards for presentation of the Bulgarian public companies to investors in the country and abroad.
We unite more than 110 Investor Relations Directors of public companies and other issuers of securities, and in 2016 we opened the doors of ABIRD for all colleagues who disclose information in accordance with the Bulgarian and European legislation, and communicate with institutions such as the Financial Supervision Commission, BSE – Sofia and the Central Depository.
ABIRD is an active participant in the Bulgarian capital market, a basic corrective in terms of amendments to the regulation and implementation of the European legislation. Our activities are focused on enhancing the professional qualification of Investor Relations Directors and all of the other officials engaged with investor communication and communication with the institutions on the capital market with the purpose to improve the best disclosure and transparency practices in the activities of public companies and other issuers of securities. We actively cooperate with all institutions and participants in the Bulgarian capital market.
The Association of Bulgarian Investor Relations Directors is a collective member the National Corporate Governance Commission, the Capital Market Development Council in Bulgaria, the Corporate Social Responsibility Council to the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association. Together with our national partners we strive to make Bulgaria a more attractive place for investments.
Contacts: +359 2 9882413 and [email protected]
Web: www.abird.info
Since 1991, AERI has been bringing together the most relevant IR professionals and other stakeholders in Spain, focusing on the development of best practices, but also on providing the best possible options for networking. AERI Members are well known for their top performance in the capital markets, always developing the highest standards in the Investor Relations world.
For more information, please visit www.aeri.es
The Italian Investor Relations Association’s mission is to promote the professional profile of the Investor Relations Officer (IRO) and the quality of financial communication between companies and the Financial Community.
For more information, visit www.associazioneir.it.
For more information, please visit www.ir-romania.ro.
Supporting the Investors Relations in Belgium. We are a community that actively exchanges experiences and ideas around investor relations. We help people grow active in investor relations by networking, knowledge exchange & meetings.
For more information, please visit www.belgian-ir.be
Created in 1987, the Cliff is the French association of financial communication professionals and is a recognized voice for the profession in France. With an active programme fostering the sharing of experiences, of expertise and of evolving topics, a successful education training programme in partnership with a renowned French University (Paris-Dauphine) and its contribution to the annual publication of the “Financial Communications: Framework and Practices” together with the OCF, the Cliff helps promote the status of Investor Relations professionals.
For more information, please visit www.cliff.asso.fr
About DIRF
The Danish Investor Relations Society (DIRF) was established by investor relations officers, financial and communications executives in a few Danish companies in 1988. The objective was and still is to promote communication between listed companies and their investors thereby increasing investor interest in Danish shares and company bonds.
DIRF represents some 270 members from approximately 100 companies. Members are primarily listed companies, and the member base represents about 95 per cent of the Danish market cap. However, also not-listed companies, organisations, service providers and consultants working with financial communications are represented, cf. DIRF members list.
DIRF activities
The DIRF network seeks to meet its objectives by arranging members’ meetings and conferences dealing with current IR-topics, sessions with academics researching in IR-related areas, trends and new ways of performing the IR-profession, new media developments, new evaluation methods, and once a year the Copenhagen Stock Exchange hosts a network meeting etc. Members’ meetings normally take place 5-6 times a year.
For more information, please visit www.dirf.dk.
For more information, please visit our website.
IR Club is a well-established investor relations community that allows IR professionals to network with peers from all over the world.
IR Club was formed in 2011, to address the need for an online investor relations community. Since then, it has become an overwhelming success and has around 1,400 members!
The main objectives of IR Club include the promotion of networking, communication, exchange and transfer of knowledge among investor relations professionals – we are particularly interested in the use of social media in investor relations.
IR Club is open to anyone interested in investor relations such as scientists, students and those wishing to make a career change. For the opportunity to mingle with practising IROs at all levels, as well consultants and service providers. Colleagues from the areas of private equity, open-end and closed-end funds, unlisted companies and of course all those who deal with the communication with lenders (creditor relations / fixed income) are welcome, too – we are all one ecosystem.
It takes no time to register as a member and it’s free of charge!
IR Club
Patrick Kiss
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +49 177 232 0001
The IR club Schweiz was founded 1992 to promote the interests of the IR profession among Switzerland’s publicly-quoted companies. It is an interactive forum for the exchange of ideas, the discussion of current IR issues and the development of practical solutions.
For more information, please visit www.irclub.ch.
The IR Magazine Awards – Europe will celebrate IR excellence on the evening of Thursday, June 22 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.
This event remains the European IR community’s largest annual gathering and will be an evening of back to in-person celebrations and networking for investor relations officers along with their senior managements, advisers and analysts.
Join us at the awards ceremony straight after the think tank and celebrate the success of those individuals and teams that are leading the way in the IR community in 2023!
This event is exclusively for senior corporate, in-house IR professionals. To register for this year’s event, please fill in the form below and if you are eligible, we will send you a confirmation along with detailed event information.
If you have any questions please contact Matthew Stevens at [email protected] or +44 20 8004 6322.
For partnership inquiries
+44 78 2653 8072
For agenda inquiries
+44 20 8004 4818
For all other inquiries
+44 20 8004 6322