Inside the room at the IR Impact Think Tank – Europe 2025: Rethinking investor day strategy in uncertain times

DELIVERING CONFIDENCE IS THE PRIORITY, PANEL SESSION FINDS

This June, I had the privilege of joining a panel at the IR Impact Think Tank – Europe 2025 to discuss how companies can evolve their investor day strategy in the face of growing market uncertainty. The conversation brought together leaders from YouGov, Bank of America and Lumi Global, with a shared focus on transparency, engagement and navigating disruption with confidence.

One of the strongest messages from the session was that investor days are no longer about polished presentations or reciting financials. These events are now expected to be authentic, interactive and strategically aligned with broader company goals. Investors want more than a script. They want to understand a company’s long-term direction, hear from leadership directly, and engage meaningfully, whether attending in person or remotely.

With this shift, IR teams face a dual challenge. First, they need to coordinate messaging across communications, legal, finance and business leadership. Second, they must deliver an experience that instills confidence in both the company’s vision and the people leading it.

Preparation is a major factor. We talked a lot about how successful investor days are built behind the scenes. This means aligning stakeholders early, grounding every section of the agenda in data, and rehearsing the flow of content so presenters feel confident and the narrative is cohesive. That level of planning is what creates space for authenticity during the event.

The panel discussed investor day best practices at the IR Impact Think Tank - Europe 2025.
The panel discussed investor day best practices at the IR Impact Think Tank – Europe 2025.

Technology also plays an increasingly important role. Hybrid formats, secure digital engagement tools, real-time feedback collection and post-event analytics give IR teams the ability to engage global audiences and learn from every event. We’re also starting to see the potential of AI to further enhance the experience, from live transcription and language accessibility to smarter Q&A moderation.

Another central theme was transparency, especially during uncertainty. Companies cannot always control external events, market shifts, or negative headlines – but they can control how clearly and honestly they communicate. That means addressing difficult topics head-on, instead of burying them in the appendix or glossing over them. We emphasized using the company’s story to answer why the investor day is being held now, why the message matters and what the path forward looks like.

As I said during the panel: ‘In a world where we can’t control the headlines, we can control the clarity of our message.’ That claritywhen paired with real engagement – goes a long way in building investor trust.

Looking forward, the most effective IR teams will be those that stay flexible, invest in the right tools and lean into their role as storytellers and strategists. Investor days are no longer just about reporting. They are a unique opportunity to lead with clarity, earn confidence and spark two-way dialogue in an environment that increasingly demands it.

A big thank you to IR Impact for hosting such a timely and insightful discussion. If you are thinking about how to evolve your investor day or reshape your event strategy, the conversation is just getting started.

Ben Riley is UK sales director at Lumi Global

Upcoming events

  • Briefing – Lessons from the 2025 Proxy Season
    Tuesday, July 22, 2025

    Briefing – Lessons from the 2025 Proxy Season

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm BST / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event The 2025 proxy season was influenced by several key issues, including changes announced in Staff Legal Bulletin 14M regarding the interpretation of Rule 14a-8, and…

    Online
  • Briefing – Effective earnings preparation amid macro volatility
    Thursday, August 07, 2025

    Briefing – Effective earnings preparation amid macro volatility

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm BST / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event Amid constant tariff news, geopolitical upheaval and other developments stemming from the new US administration, IR teams have their work cut out as they prepare…

    Online
  • IR Impact Forum – AI & Technology
    Wednesday, November 12, 2025

    IR Impact Forum – AI & Technology

    About the event As more investors and corporate communication teams embrace AI, machine learning and emerging technologies to inform their decision-making, investor relations professionals are facing a pivotal moment: adapt and lead, or risk falling behind. At this early but fast-moving stage of adoption, IR teams are asking important questions…

    New York, US

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