The IR Society, the UK’s investor relations association, has announced a change in leadership: Gary Davies is to retire from his position as CEO.
Laura Hayter, who has worked for the IR Society for more than eight years, including six as head of policy and communications, will become the new CEO.
Davies, who took up the role less than 18 months ago, is stepping down for personal reasons, according to a statement from the association. Prior to joining the IR Society, he spent 10 years as director of IR at GSK.
Hayter first joined the IR Society in 2011 as head of professional development. Prior to that, she held roles at creative agency Noesis, recruitment firm VMA Group and IR firm Taylor Rafferty.
She will take up the role officially on October 11, although there will be a transition period until the end of the year, according to the IR Society.
‘On behalf of the board, IR Society members and partners, I’d like to thank Gary for his significant contribution over the last year or so. I am sorry to see him go and I wish him the very best for the future,’ says IR Society chair David Lloyd-Seed in a statement.
‘I am delighted Laura has agreed to take on the role of CEO. [She] has been a lynchpin of the society over the last eight years and has a wealth of knowledge of our industry and of the society.’
Hayter adds in the statement: ‘I am delighted to be taking on the chief executive role at the society. It is an exciting time for the investor relations profession, and I look forward to leading the society on the next stage of its growth, building on its excellent foundations.’
