IR Magazine

IR MAGAZINE THINK TANK – Europe
Exclusively for heads of IR

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Bank of America offices, London

About the think tank

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.

Agenda

Investors, analysts and award-winning issuers will share best practices. Roundtable discussions will follow panel discussions. Timings are subject to change.

VIEW THE AGENDA AS A PRINTABLE PDF

  • 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

Speakers

New speakers added daily!


Our attendees say

"Very well organized. Great set up with round tables to facilitate discussions and networking. Good speakers and excellent breakfast and lunch."

Compugen

"Very well organised, great speakers and topics, great networking opportunity"

Corre Energy

"Very well organised and superb content and contributors."

CtrlPrint

"I liked the networking and table discussions."

Siltronic

"Good range of relevant topics discussed. Great to be able to connect with other IR professionals."

Anonymous

"It was very dynamic and everything was very well planned."

Anonymous

Who attends our events

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

 

Request full attendee list

Venue

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.

Partners

Join us for a celebration in the evening!

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!

Visit our awards website

Request an invite

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.

Contact us

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