IR Impact Think Tank – Europe
Exclusively for in-house IROs
About the event
The IR Impact Think Tank – Europe will take place Thursday, June 26, 2025 in London and is an invitation-only event exclusively for senior IR officers. Our think tanks are free to attend and our unique format enables participants to network extensively, discuss, debate and dissect topical issues affecting today’s IROs.
WHEN
WHERE
Bank of America, London
What makes our format so unique?
Our think tanks are far removed from the traditional conference set-up as the event consists of a series of panel sessions followed by roundtable discussions on select IR issues. These interactive sessions are an opportunity to share experiences with and learn from other top-rated IROs. All table discussions are confidential, and none of the participants’ comments is attributed. This allows attendees to talk freely and have frank, open discussions.
How do our roundtable discussions work?
Industry experts, top-rated IROs and members of the investment community set the agenda on a panel discussion by sharing their thoughts on session topics.
Small roundtables of IROs discuss these issues face to face.
Each table gives feedback from its discussion and shares ideas with the group as a whole.
Agenda: 2025
If you are interested in being a panellist at a future think tank, please contact Lauren Wilson on [email protected]
Times are shown in BST (British Summer Time).
8.15 am
Registration, breakfast and morning networking
8.45 am
Opening remarks: Welcome to the think tank
Mark Troman, deputy head of EMEA equity research, Bank of America
Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Impact
9.00 am
State of the markets: Communicating with impact amid global uncertainty
As macro, political, and investor dynamics shift, IR teams must cut through the noise. This session explores what’s driving sentiment in 2025 and how to communicate effectively in a volatile, passive-led world.
- Gain expert insight into the shifting macro, political and regulatory landscape
- Identify the key forces shaping the 2025 outlook
- Assess the risks and catalysts for UK and European equities
- Strengthen messaging in a deglobalising, passive-heavy market
Chiara Angeloni, director and Europe economist, BofA Global Research
9.30 am
Strategic investor targeting: Finding the right mix in today’s capital markets
In today’s fragmented capital markets, precise investor targeting is crucial. This panel will explore how companies can refine their outreach strategies, from institutional investors to retail and family offices, and adapt to shifting trends for growth.
- Tailoring your targeting mix by size, region, and goals
- Key metrics for prioritizing and segmenting investor targets
- New approaches to corporate access, format, and engagement
- Engaging retail, family offices, and different fund types
- Strategies for expanding into markets like the US
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Impact
Daniel Györy, senior director of investor relations, Infineon
Richard Manning, head of investor relations, International Workplace Group
Lauren Wu Leng, head of investor relations, Burberry
10.00 am
What is driving your stock and a new wave of shareholder activism in the region?
From rising activism to shifting trading patterns, this session explores what’s really driving market activity around your stock. Hear from experts on the forces at play – and how to communicate effectively across your business.
- Unpack the new wave of shareholder activism in the UK and Europe
- Learn about the different factors affecting trading activity in the current climate
- Understand what’s behind trading volatility and clarify internal messaging around it
- Navigate opaque registers and identify beneficial owners
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Impact
Kate Cooper, partner, Freshfields
Adam Riches, senior managing director, Alliance Advisors
Irina Zhurba, director of investor relations and sustainability, Mister Spex
10.30 am
Roundtables – Communicating with impact in a volatile market
In today’s volatile and fragmented markets, IR teams must adapt how they communicate. This roundtable explores how IROs are refining messaging, targeting and disclosure to meet rising expectations. Share what’s working – and what’s not – as you navigate activism, global alignment and investor shifts.
11.00 am
Morning networking break
11.30 am
New reality: Rethinking your ESG strategy, reporting and investor expectations
As ESG faces increased scrutiny and shifting global standards, IR teams must navigate new regulations, investor demands, and political pressures. This session explores whether companies should adjust their ESG strategy and how to communicate effectively in this evolving landscape.
- How new rules like CSRD and CSDDD will change sustainability reporting
- Aligning ESG with global frameworks for impact, risk, and opportunity
- Metrics and disclosures investors still value vs those losing relevance
- Managing diverging EU/US ESG expectations
- Integrated annual reports vs standalone disclosures: What works?
- Addressing greenhushing, political backlash, and D&I criticism
- When to adapt, pause, or strengthen your ESG strategy
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Impact
Menka Bajaj, global sustainability strategist, Bank of America
Michelle de Jongh, managing director of ESG services, Inspired
12.00 pm
Delivering robust investor days during uncertainty: Planning and performance
Investor days are critical when it comes to meeting the rising expectations for transparency, engagement and seamless delivery. This panel explores how companies are rethinking event strategy – from smarter planning and stakeholder targeting to hybrid formats that drive confidence and deliver impact.
- Building an effective agenda that balances strategy, storytelling and access
- Pre-event preparation: aligning messaging, materials and spokespeople
- Tactics to boost engagement across in-person and virtual audiences
- How to use AI and tech to enhance interactivity, track participation and gather feedback
- Analysis of and lessons learned from recent investor days – what worked, what didn’t
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Impact
Hannah Jethwani, head of corporate strategy and investor relations, YouGov
Ben Riley, UK sales director, Lumi Global
Matthew Yates, director, Bank of America
12.30 pm
Roundtables – Maximizing your return on time: How IROs can focus on what matters
With growing demands and limited resources, IR teams are under pressure to do more with less. This roundtable explores how IROs are spending their time, what’s driving the most impact, and how smarter processes and tech can free up hours for high-value work. Join us to share ideas on what to prioritize, how to cut admin, and where others are gaining real efficiencies.
1.00 pm
Lunch
1.55 pm
Valuation resilience: introducing the Valuation Eight framework
In a fast-moving macro environment, resilience isn’t just operational – it’s about sustaining and growing enterprise value. In this session, we’ll introduce the idea of ‘valuation resilience’ and how elements of the Valuation Eight can help shape investor communications and strategic narratives. We’ll explore:
- What’s changed in the capital markets narrative – and what investors now expect
- How one or two core principles of the Valuation Eight can improve your capital markets day or earnings story
- A quick look at how leading companies use these tools to build market confidence in uncertain times
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Impact
Mark Hayes, partner and head, Breakwater Capital Markets
2.15 pm
Intelligent IR best practices: How modern IR teams use AI and automation
AI is moving from buzzword to boardroom. This session explores how IR teams use AI to boost efficiency, gain insights and improve investor engagement. Hear practical examples, tool recommendations and advice on balancing innovation with human judgment.
- Real-world AI use cases in IR across company sizes
- How AI drives efficiency and new insights in IR
- Tools and data sets that deliver real results (and what to avoid)
- What AI-literate investors expect and how to stay ahead
- Evaluating AI solutions for your team’s needs
- Overcoming barriers to AI adoption in IR
- Future trends: sentiment analysis, predictive insights, and investment analysis
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Impact
Maria Siano, general manager – corporate governance data and insights, Broadridge Financial Solutions
2.45 pm
From good to great: Secrets of award-winning IR teams to get a seat at the table
What makes an IR team exceptional, and how can you stay ahead as the role evolves? Join award-winning IROs to discuss what sets top teams apart, how to manage priorities, and how to build influence within your company. Leave with practical tips on time management, team development, and securing a seat at the strategic table.
- Key traits of exceptional IR professionals
- Prioritizing time and resources in a fast-paced environment
- Gaining internal influence and driving strategic value
- Career progression in IR – where to go next?
- The future of IR in evolving markets
Moderator: Adam Christensen, chief marketing officer, Notified
Jane Henderson, investor relations, BAT
Graham Phillips, IR director, Schneider Electric
3.15 pm
Inside the investor mindset: What the buy side wants now
What do investors really want from company communication today? In this session, leading buy-side professionals share what’s driving their decisions, how they assess management credibility and reporting, and how IR teams can earn attention – and trust – in a noisy market.
- How investors are positioning themselves in current macro conditions
- Red flags and common mistakes that turn investors off
- Tips for access, communication and reporting – direct from the buy side
- Whether and how AI is influencing investor decision-making
- What UK and European companies can do to regain investor confidence
- How small caps can stand out and get meaningful investor attention
Moderator: Steven Wade, head of content, IR Impact
Stefanie Mollin, co-portfolio manager – global equities, GIB Asset Management
3.45 pm
Closing remarks and summary of key takeaways
4.00 pm
End of Think Tank
Event Speakers
Who attends our events
Our attendees are leading IR practitioners with an established track record and strategic IR roles within their company.
Below is a sample list of attendees who have joined our events in the past:
| JOB TITLE | COMPANY |
|---|---|
| Associate director | BioNTech |
| Associate director, IR | Lloyds Banking Group |
| Chief of staff to CFO, head of IR | Ignitis Group |
| Director IR, sustainability | IRES REIT |
| Director, ESG | Vedanta Resources |
| Director, head of distribution | Gravis |
| Director, IR | Alcon |
| Director, IR | BT Group |
| Director, IR | Burberry |
| Director, IR | Fever-Tree |
| Director, IR | GSK |
| Director, IR | Metro Bank |
| Director, IR | Shurgard |
| JOB TITLE | COMPANY |
|---|---|
| Director, IR | Teck Resources |
| Director, IR | YouGov |
| IR director | Ermenegildo Zegna |
| IR director | Reach |
| Senior director | Willis Towers Watson |
| Senior director, IR | Infineon Technologies |
| Senior director, IR, comms | Verona Pharma |
| SVP, head of IR, communication | Swedish Orphan Biovitrum |
| SVP, IR, corporate development | Agilyx |
| VP treasury, IR | SUSE |
| VP, IR | PMI |
| VP, IR | Technip Energies |
| VP, IR, corporate communications | ADC Therapeutics |
What our attendees say
Partners
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Think Tank Partners
SUPPORTING PARTNER
Thinking of becoming an event partner?
Our events provide a unique opportunity to get in front of some of the most influential people in the IR community. As a partner, you will gain an extensive amount of exposure through a wide range of print and digital marketing materials, both pre and post event, as well as on the day itself. Additionally, you can use the event to align yourself with IR excellence and network with key decision makers from across the region – the ones pushing the profession forward through innovation.
Request an invite
This event is exclusively for senior corporate, in-house IR professionals. To request an invite for this event, please fill in the form below and if you are eligible, we will send you a confirmation email along with detailed event information.
If you have any questions please contact Thomas Williams at [email protected] or call on +44 208 090 2156.
FREE
This event is free to attend for senior IROs only
Join us for a celebration in the evening!
The IR Impact Awards – Europe will celebrate IR excellence on the evening of Thursday, June 26, at The Peninsula London.
This very special event honors excellence in the investor relations profession across Europe and will be an evening of celebrations and networking for investor relations officers along with their senior management, advisers and analysts.
Join us at the awards ceremony straight after the think tank and celebrate the success of those individuals and teams that are leading the way in the IR community in 2025!
Venue information
Accommodation
We have arranged preferential rates for attendees at nearby hotels. View the hotels and rates by clicking here.
Key Insights
Unwritten rules, budget squeezes and trust issues: Inside post-event investor feedback
Four experienced IROs explain the challenges of capturing investor sentiment – and how to overcome them
A candidate’s primer for landing the perfect IR job: How AI is transforming recruitment
IR salaries are rising as investor relations takes on new responsibilities
Leaving purgatory: Inside the defense shift from sin stock to ESG portfolios
As the world marks a year since October 7 massacre by Hamas, IR Magazine looks at how shifting geopolitical tensions and escalating conflict are opening investor doors that used to be firmly shut ‘The tone of the conversation, when it comes to investing in defense from an ESG lens, has changed – it’s become far […]
Gallery: 2024
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