Are we overlooking the UK equity market? It hasn’t incited the same level of excitement as the growth in the US market, but that doesn’t mean investors should disregard it. As Wes McCoy explains in this episode, even long market cycles come to an end, so are you prepared for what’s next? 

Wes is the Senior Investment Director at abrdn and has over 20 years’ experience in various roles within UK equity. He sits down with us to talk about why he thinks the UK market is overlooked but also why this could pose a great opportunity for investors planning for the long term.  We hear a bit of Wes’ backstory as he takes us through the highlights of his career journey to where he is today and how he came to build his fund that oversees 35 stocks. Wes explains the realities of market cycles and tells us the best and worst investments he’s made over the years; plus the biggest lessons each experience taught him.  

What can we expect in 2025 when it comes to the UK equity market? While there have been challenges and volatility over the past few years, 2025 seems to be a promising start for companies, investors and IR professionals alike. 

Joining this episode is James Lowen, a Senior Fund Manager with 30 years’ industry experience at J O Hambro Capital Management, where he co-manages the J O Hambro Capital Management UK Equity Income Fund. James offers a broad perspective on the UK equity market in its current state and shares four key reasons why we should be optimistic this year. We discuss the various geopolitical issues impacting the market and his advice for IR professionals and companies trying to navigate the changes.

UK fund managers have been kept very busy over the past few years. Economic turbulence, sweeping political shifts, and the financial impacts of a pandemic have all contributed to the uncertainty around UK equities, affecting UK fund growth and company performance.  

In this episode, we hear the fund manager’s perspective from Siddarth Chand Lall the Lead Fund Manager of the Marlborough Multi Cap Income Fund at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management.  We explore the ways companies can improve their communication approach with investors and what needs to change to attract investment back to UK equities. Siddarth shares his perspective on the most influential changes in the market and his advice for investors, IR professionals and fund managers for this year.   

As a business model unique to the UK, we dive into what it’s like managing investor relations for a royalty-based company that invests in the mining industry in this episode. Geoff Callow, Head of Investor Relations at Ecora Resources, joins the podcast to share his insights into his role.  

Geoff gives us the background on his 20-year career, from accountancy to financial PR and eventually to IR. He highlights the top learnings from his previous roles and discusses the importance of having both financial skills and strong communication abilities. 

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, explains why financial knowledge is crucial when communicating well with investors.  

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.  

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. 

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.  

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. 

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 delves into Deb’s experiences at Etsy, we hear about Etsy’s innovative approach to IR and how it adapted to the challenges of a post-pandemic market. To learn more about how investor relations works at Etsy,  tune in to the full podcast. 

Many IR professionals start their careers in different roles within corporate finance, whether it’s within consultancy, data analysis, or capital markets. But 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 an IR career, 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 joined Enquire, the Investor Relations Podcast, to share his story. 

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 on the importance of networking, as well as his strategies for managing relationships with key investors during tricky market and business structure changes. 

We sat 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. 

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. 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. 

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 who has led 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 picked up from IR roles in multiple industries.  

Peter takes us on a journey through his diverse roles, including his time at Rank Group and PartyGaming, where he built an IR programme from scratch and balanced regulatory affairs with investor communications. He offers his perspective on the evolution of IR over the past two decades, emphasising how the role has become more challenging yet more valued by senior management. Peter shares his approach to staying on top of current information from results days and industry changes and how he uses that knowledge to be proactive in his communications with company boards.  

Have you ever wondered what 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. 

Isabel shares her journey through various roles and sectors, including Rolls Royce, Subsea 7, IHG and UBS, and the important skills and insights she’s picked up along the way. 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.  

Throughout the conversation, Isabel also reflects on her experiences managing investor relations during challenging times, including corporate transformations and market fluctuations.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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 effective partnerships with investors and analysts.

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.

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 over his career journey. 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.

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!

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!

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! 

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.