Check the IR Society Conference 2022 summary with all the insights of the event

MZ was a proud sponsor of the IR Society 2022 conference: New Horizons on June 21st. It was great to connect in person with our clients in the UK and Europe and learn about the latest trends in investor relations.

At this event, we learned more about ESG and its development in IR with Chris Dyett, Elly Irving, Gareth Pearl, and Jennifer Walmsley. From an investor’s point of view, there is considerable pressure to analyze ESG information, but companies are still providing data without creating a narrative to support that analysis. Even talking about ESG, there are too many issues in one word. It is time to start talking less about ESG and more about value creation and a sustainable future. There is no one size fits all approach, so detail your strategy, and include data on your IR website. Be aware of stakeholders’ expectations for your industry and company.

There was also a discussion from the first keynote speaker, Julia Hoggett, focusing on the big picture of capital markets. One key takeaway from her speech was that the value of listing is not on the IPO itself but on the ongoing engagement with the market. Investors want to understand the story, as well as its reliability. If the company delivers that, there is plenty of funding available in the UK. Even with Brexit, London is still the most relevant player in the region.

Last but not least, there was a relevant discussion on how companies stay agile and adaptable in a transforming world on a panel with John Crosse, Davina Hobbs, Michael Hufton, and Joanne Russell. It’s undeniable that covid has changed IR. Let’s take, for example, the impact of virtual meetings not only on daily activities but on corporate access as well. With so many virtual roadshows, the IR’s role is to research the value of attending so many meetings. It’s essential to be more efficient and join more conferences – but choose where to spend your time because the value decreases if you see the same investor in many different events. Other discussed topics were the increased technology usage to help companies better track their peers, target, and generate more data to adjust the IR program. As for the future, most panelists recommended the hybrid format for events, and even though they can be more expensive and require more planning, it leads to better outcomes and greater reach.

#IRCONF2022 was a great event, and MZ was happy to present a new way to engage with investors to all attendees. It will be our privilege to connect with you to discuss our findings and present technology that improves the daily routine of the investor relations professional. Feel free to contact us at sales@mzgroup.com.