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. 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 to hear how you can become one of them.

In this episode, we speak 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 investor relations (IR). Her ability to navigate complex scenarios, from strategic transformations to crisis communications, is a testament to her deep market knowledge. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind her communication prowess and how her experience has shaped her approach to IR. We explore her journey through the intricate landscapes of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), working in a small team, switching career paths, and the benefits of being a mentor.

In this 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. John’s IR career spans an impressive 20 years and includes establishing IR functions both pre and post IPO. We hear some great insight into his work in investor relations, and how he currently splits his time and energy between investor relations and business strategy. 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.

A career in Investor Relations can take you many places. In this episode we are joined 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.

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!

Jose’ Federico Castillo Martínez The Heineken Company’s Investor Relations Director, joins us in this episode of Enquire Podcast 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. 

Peregrine Rivière has spent most of his career in the Investor Relations space, and the passion that he feels towards his work is unwavering. In fact, he’s sure he has the best job in the world! Recorded just before he started in his role as Group Head of Investor Relations at London Stock Exchange Group, Peregrine speaks to Clara about what it takes to build a successful career in Investor Relations. 

In this episode Clara is joined by Miriam McKay, Director of Group Communications and Investor Relations at HomeServe, who shares her inspiring career journey and discusses the evolution of investor relations over the years. 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.

In this episode of Enquire guest interviewee, Geoff Callow, is joined by Rob Gurner, Head of IR for Plus500, a global FinTech company. In today’s episode, Rob shares his IR career journey to date and reflects on the unique perspective he gained from his background in financial PR. 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.

Many people working in Investor Relations only discover the field after they have already started their careers. This is not the case for Bethany Barnes, Director of Investor Relations at Dr. Martens who is Clara‘s guest today on Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast. While Bethany spent some time as a Retail Analyst, she always knew she wanted to work in IR and structured her career and work experience to position her to move into the field.

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.

Joining us in conversation today is Simon McGough, who at the time of the recording had recently started a new position as President of Investor Relations at Wood engineering and consultancy group. During this episode, you’ll hear Simon’s tips for anyone exiting accounting and kicking off a career in Investor Relations, how he works alongside Wood’s sustainability team, and the shifts he has seen in Investor Relations over the years. We talk about targeting, innovation, and competition in the IR space, as well as what his work as part of the Best Practice Committee in the IR Society involves. Tune in today to hear all this and more.

In the third episode of Equitory’s podcast, we are delighted to have senior Investor Relations specialist Carla Bloom with us, to discuss the evolution of Investor Relations during her career. Join us to hear about her experience of transitioning between sectors within the field, 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 some of the ways she is training her new team member. Thanks for tuning in!

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. Our Founder, Clara Melia, sits 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 as a Corporate Broker and in his current role at D.S Smith.

We are very excited to be launching our brand-new Investor Relations Podcast, Enquire, today! In this first series, Equitory’s Founder and CEO Clara Melia talks to senior IR professionals in the UK.

We launch this series by talking with Helen Parris, an IR and Governance Consultant, former Director of IR at G4S and previously a Board member at The Investor Relations Society.

Helen discusses her experience on the buy-side, the decision to move into IR and her role as a Senior Director at G4S. We cover the value in gaining Board level experience based on Helen’s experience as a Board member at the IR Society, and in becoming a trustee for the G4S pension fund. Our conversation explores multiple areas of IR including how to manage reputational challenges, run effective site visits, and the key role ESG played in the G4S corporate strategy. 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.