New IROs have been appointed at Pfizer, Wabtec and Electrolux this week, while a familiar face from IR Magazine has gone on to join a stakeholder engagement advisory company.
Douglas Maffei has been formally unveiled as vice president of investor relations at US pharmaceuticals firm Pfizer. He previously occupied the same role at Seagan, a Seattle-based biotechnology company that was acquired by Pfizer at the end of 2023. Prior to working at Seagan, Maffei served as director of investor relations – and held several other roles – at Gilead Sciences.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh-based transportation firm Wabtec has announced the appointment of Kyra Yates as its new vice president of investor relations, effective March 18, taking over from Kristine Kubacki, who departs after four years in the role.
Yates has been with the NYSE-listed firm since 2008, and most recently served as vice president and CFO for Wabtec’s global operations, where she managed the financial performance for the company’s manufacturing, sourcing and logistics operations.
‘Kyra is a well-respected leader with a deep understanding of the company’s financials, operations and growth strategy,’ says John Olin, executive vice president and CFO of Wabtec. ‘Having held diverse leadership roles in our finance organization over the years, Kyra’s in-depth experience in transportation, manufacturing, supply chain and commercial sales will be valuable in communicating how Wabtec is bringing value to our shareholders by delivering innovative products and services to the industries we serve.’
In Sweden, Nasdaq Stockholm-listed home appliances maker Electrolux has promoted Samar Refai to the position of head of communications for group finance and investor relations. She previously served as communications director for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, based out of Electrolux’s Singapore office, which the Swedish firm says it will close by May 2024.
Writing on LinkedIn, Refai says: ‘Excited to step into the role of head of communications for group finance and investor relations at Electrolux Group, where data gets cozy with storytelling! Here’s to a new professional journey full of data, charts and people.’
German online marketplace operator Scout24 has appointed Marika Biemer as investor relations manager, where she joins a team headed by Filip Lindvall, vice president of group strategy and investor relations. She continues to serve as senior executive assistant to the company’s CFO, Dr Dirk Schmelzer, a role she has held since December 2019.
Finally, stakeholder engagement advisory service Morrow Sodali has appointed a former IR Magazine employee as head of its new research practice for the EMEA region.
Claire Lavery, described by Morrow Sodali as ‘one of Europe’s leading investor insights professionals’, heads the new division’s London office, which acts as an adviser to companies listed on the FTSE 100, Euro STOXX 50 and beyond.
Christian Sealey, CEO international at Morrow Sodali, says: ‘Claire’s recruitment is a key part of the development of a full-service stakeholder engagement firm in Europe. She offers clear, objective insight to boardrooms, helping leaders get closer to their investors, driving valuation and reducing risk. Her service is a perfect complement to our existing suite, allowing us to fulfill more needs for more clients.’
