IR Magazine Forum & Awards
Greater China
Conrad Hong Kong
About the event
WHEN
WHERE
Conrad Hong Kong
Seizing opportunity in shifting markets
For the past three decades, IR Magazine has honored excellence in investor relations around the world and in 2024, we continued to recognize and help further IR best practice. Last year, almost 200 senior IR professionals joined this internationally renowned event looking at the very best the IR community has to offer through our forum and awards.
THE FORUM
The event kicked off with a forum where investors, analysts and heads of IR from small, mid and large cap companies came together to discuss key issues relating to investor relations, corporate governance, shareholder needs and the role of senior management in IR.
THE AWARDS
We presented two types of awards categories – researched and nominated – both celebrating the success of those individuals and companies that are leading the way in IR in Greater China.
For our researched categories, companies do not submit nominations. Instead, hundreds of analysts and investors casted their votes and gave their opinions on which companies do the best IR in the region.
In our nominated categories, companies have the opportunity to submit a written entry for aspects of IR that complement our researched categories. More information can be found in the sections below.
Agenda: 2024
Click below to view the 2024 agenda as a PDF.
Times are shown in HKT (Hong Kong Time).
8.15 am
Registration, breakfast and networking
8.55 am
Opening remarks: Welcome to the forum
9.00 am
IR in 2025: Independent directors, increased transparency and international investing
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has proposed new rules to increase transparency and corporate governance for listed companies, most notably around the disclosure of dividend policies, an approach that is similar to Shanghai and Shenzhen exchange rules.
These changes, along with less widely supported proposals related to preventing ‘overboarding’ of company directors, seek to enhance corporate governance and align the exchange with international standards. If implemented, they could also lead to an increase in both institutional and retail interest in the region’s companies.
In our opening session, we explore what these structural changes may mean for IR teams and provide advice on how to adapt.
- Hear how to adapt your policies to meet expectations of domestic and international investors
- Understand what disclosures and governance practices may be expected of listed companies
- Discuss how global investor sentiment is changing and the outlook for investment into the region
- Learn what an increase in investor interest would mean for IR teams and how to take advantage of this opportunity
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Magazine
Kevin Leung, company secretary and IR director, China Resources Beer
Clara Liu, senior manager of IR, Xtep International Holdings
Jason Paltrowitz, director and executive vice president, OTC Markets Group
Rene Vanguestaine, managing partner, Christensen Advisory
9.40 am
Focusing on high-value IR: Time management for investor relations professionals
This session is all about ‘putting the ROI back into IRO’. Using exclusive research from IR Magazine’s global survey on time management, we explore how investor relations professionals are spending their day and examine which IR activities provide the biggest benefit to your company and the C-suite.
We will also explore the transformative impact artificial intelligence can have on IR workloads and how to create efficiencies so that IR can be more effective, helping to build credibility with management.
- Benchmark how you organize your days and learn what the most impactful IR activities are
- Gain insight into what activities are most time-consuming and provide the lowest value
- Explore where AI and automation can remove monotonous tasks, saving time for higher-value activities
- Learn how to organize your quarterly activities to improve the positive impact IR has on your company
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Magazine
Jessie Jin, chief manager of investor relations and ESG, ATRenew
Melanie Morfill, sales director, APAC, Notified
Suki Wong, senior director, investor relations and ESG, ANTA Sports Products
Rene Vanguestaine, managing partner, Christensen Advisory
10.10 am
Networking break & refreshments
10.30 am
Case studies: Targeting that yields the best results
IR teams often track their performance by measuring the number of investors that they meet with and it is an important metric. However, companies should not overlook the quality of each meeting, because good quality meetings engage the C-Suite, encourage more investment and provide critical information that can be used to shape strategy.
Whether gaining valuable information, insightful questions that make you test your business strategy, or having a company take a position in your stock. Achieving good quality meetings requires a well thought out targeting strategy, to help identify the investors who will help your company move forward.
This session explores how to be smarter with your targeting practices and identify investors who are most likely to meet with your management and add value to your company.
- Hear case studies about how IR teams are improving their shareholder analysis practices
- Learn what top IR teams are doing to build a pipeline of investor prospects and use management’s time most effectively
- Discover how new technologies can not only make investor targeting easier, but also more effective
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Magazine
Doris Chan, head of investor relations, Nameson Holdings
Elaine Wang, senior IR manager, QingCi Games
Fanny Yan, senior manager, IR, Nissin Foods Company
11.00 am
WeChat & websites: Best practices in digital investor relations
As communication technologies continue to evolve we explore how best to utilize these tools to expand the reach of your IR program and promote better transparency with your shareholders. This session will showcase effective techniques award-winning IROs have implemented to improve their communication using different media channels.
- Understand the latest digital communications trends in the context of investor relations
- Learn how best to use WeChat and other social media to tell your company story
- Understand how best to build your presence in an increasingly digitalized world
- Discuss the how to integrate AI into your digital engagement strategy
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Magazine
Nick Huang, IR manager, Hon Hai Precision Industry
Celia Wang, international digital content manager, Ping An Insurance
Nina Zhan, vice president, IR, 361 Degrees International
11.30 am
Maximizing the investor opportunity
Investor relations is the interface between markets and management, and IR professionals who focus their efforts on spending time, serving and learning from the investment community can bring a new level of insight and investment into the company. This session explores what an investor-centric IR approach looks like and explores ways to get closer to the investment community through your approach to IR.
- Learn about different philosophies and directions for your investor relations strategy
- Hear how companies are taking an investor-first approach in their IR activities
- Understand ways to gather useful market intelligence from the investor community
- Discover techniques to conduct investor meetings and learn what questions are most beneficial to ask of portfolio managers and analysts
Moderator: Laurie Havelock, editor, IR Magazine
Ellen Tseng, senior director, IR and corporate communications, Primax Electronics
Yi Xiang, head of investor relations, Focus Media
Rui Zhang, chief executive officer, Irostors
11.55 am
Closing remarks
12.00 pm
Networking lunch and awards presentation
2.30 pm
End of forum and awards
Hall of Fame
Past winners of our coveted IR Awards are invited to be inducted into the IR Impact Hall of Fame. This is an exclusive alum organization reserved only for individual winners of our awards including the categories – Best IR Professional across all cap sizes.
We wanted to provide a platform that offers ongoing recognition for this monumental achievement and an opportunity for our award winners to help shape the future of excellence in the IR community.
Awards by nomination
For our awards-by-nomination categories, individuals and companies are given the opportunity to submit written entries to be put forward to a panel of expert judges made up of investment professionals and IR Magazine editorial team members.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
We are delighted to announce the list of 2024 winners. View the full list by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or +44 20 8004 4989.
Categories
Best annual report (large cap)
Are shareholders and analysts raving about the quality of your annual print or online report? Give us your vision of good reporting practice. Judges will be looking for a well-articulated equity story, ease of flow or navigation, state-of-the-art design and consistency/complementarity between different reports. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best annual report (small to mid-cap)
Are shareholders and analysts raving about the quality of your annual print or online report? Give us your vision of good reporting practice. Judges will be looking for a well-articulated equity story, ease of flow or navigation, state-of-the-art design, consistency/complementarity, and improvement between different reports. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best ESG reporting (large cap)
Companies face growing demands to inform investors about the risk and opportunities – they face from a range of ESG issues. Describe how your company was able to meet the demands of shareholders looking for substance in ESG reporting? Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best ESG reporting (mid-cap)
Companies face growing demands to inform investors about the risk and opportunities – they face from a range of ESG issues. Describe how your company was able to meet the demands of shareholders looking for substance in ESG reporting? Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best ESG reporting (small cap)
Companies face growing demands to inform investors about the risk and opportunities – they face from a range of ESG issues. Describe how your company was able to meet the demands of shareholders looking for substance in ESG reporting? Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best innovation in shareholder communications
Judges are looking for IR teams who have had to think out of the box in the past 12-18 months to update their shareholder communications campaign and keep up with the evolving needs and wants of the investor community. We’re looking for that tiny little spark of innovation that sets your company apart!
Best investor event
Did you hold a capital markets day, site visit or other investor event that made your company stand out from the crowd? Tell us how you came up with an original initiative, the way you managed its organization, and how your audience’s expectations were met; audience feedback is also welcome. Both virtual and in-person events can be considered for this award.
Best investor targeting strategy
Have you gone above and beyond to reach new investors and tell your company story? Have you recently changed your targeting strategy to reach new prospects, adapt to adversarial circumstances, or get a better return from your investor engagements? We want to hear from you.
Our judges will look for innovative use of data and analysis to optimize your marketing schedule and provide better returns on your IR department and management’s time on the road and at conferences.
Best IR during a corporate transaction
How did your IR team go above and beyond to support a recent corporate transaction? Let us know the details. We’ll be looking at the IR team’s involvement in crafting/releasing the messaging for the financial markets and how it organized outreach and dialogue to gain approval from key shareholders.
Best IR website
The IR website is the first point of contact for an IRO’s audience. We want to hear from companies that have developed a best-in-class website displaying top-notch customer experience, engaging content that meets analysts’ and investors’ needs, and multiplatform access.
Best use of social media and video
Have your IR teams increased visibility and engagement digitally through the use of different communication channels?
Describe the innovative ways you have incorporated video, audio, infographics or webcasts into your IR program. Judges will be looking for evidence of the quality of output, use of creativity and heightened investor and analyst engagement via these channels.
Best use of technology including AI
Have you harnessed cutting-edge technology like AI to enhance your IR efforts? In this new category, we want to hear about how you have used tools to overcome IR challenges, create efficiencies, enhance intelligence or improve the quality of your IR activities. Judges want to hear about the tools you have used in your IR efforts, how you used them and the measures implemented to ensure safe and responsible use of technology.
Rising star
This award seeks to honor individuals who bring fresh thinking and a unique approach to the profession. This category is open to anyone who has been working in IR for less than 10 years and has less than 15 years of professional experience.
How the winners are chosen +
The awards-by-nomination categories differ from our traditional researched awards, as individuals and companies are given the opportunity to submit written entries, free of charge, to be put forward to a panel of expert judges made up of investment professionals and IR Impact editorial team members.
The judges’ votes are not made public, but their comments may be published in articles or reports after the event. Judges are not required to make comments against every submission.
The judging process consists of three simple phases:
Phase one
Once the entry deadline has passed, the IR Impact editorial team reviews all submissions and produces the shortlist
Phase two
The shortlisted entries are shared with an independent judging panel made up of industry experts. The judges review each shortlisted entry and select their top two picks per category
The IR Impact awards team receives the results and contacts all shortlisted companies to give them the good news. The shortlists are then published to the entire IR community a month before the event.
Phase three
The judges come together to discuss, debate and select the final list of winners who will go on to win an award
Meet the judges
We are delighted to announce our judging panel for the 2024 awards! Click on each photo below to find out more.
Awards by research
Our awards-by-research nominees are determined by the input of hundreds of analysts and portfolio managers, who give their opinions on which companies provide them with the best IR service in the Greater China region. Every year we invite any publicly listed company to submit their list of buy and sell-side analysts and portfolio managers, so that they have the opportunity to vote via our survey.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
We are delighted to announce the list of 2024 winners. View the full list by clicking here.
Please click on the tabs below to view the research timeline. For any further queries about the research, please contact [email protected].
Categories
Best overall investor relations (large cap)
This category covers companies that have most impressed the investment community with their overall IR program. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best overall investor relations (mid-cap)
This category covers companies that have most impressed the investment community with their overall IR program. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best overall investor relations (small cap)
This category covers companies that have most impressed the investment community with their overall IR program. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best investor relations officer (large cap)
This category is for individual IROs whose knowledge of their company and sector and whose ability to build relationships with members of the investment community and to be transparent, accessible and responsive, sets them apart. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best investor relations officer (mid-cap)
This category is for individual IROs whose knowledge of their company and sector and whose ability to build relationships with members of the investment community and to be transparent, accessible and responsive, sets them apart. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best investor relations officer (small cap)
This category is for individual IROs whose knowledge of their company and sector and whose ability to build relationships with members of the investment community and to be transparent, accessible and responsive, sets them apart. Market cap breakdown: Small cap = below US$1 bn / Mid-cap = between US$1 bn – US$7.49 bn / Large cap = US$7.5 bn and over
Best international IR
This category covers companies that most impressed the investment community outside of their region with their overall IR program.
How the winners are chosen +
The first thing to explain is that our awards are different from most others: for our awards by research, companies do not submit nominations. The winners are identified by in-depth research and any publicly traded company is eligible to be considered. This survey is the only one of its kind to go directly to the investment community, canvassing the opinions of the people who matter to you most.
May-August: Online survey
IR Impact has been building investment community databases over the past 35 years. As part of the updating process, listed companies are contacted every year for details of the professionals who currently cover their stock. IR Magazine then conducts an electronic survey of buy-side and sell-side analysts and portfolio managers. Each survey respondent is asked to nominate and rank up to five companies in a host of different research categories, from best IRO to best reporting.
September-October: Results analysis & shortlists announced
Analysis of the results begins once the survey stage of the research is complete. Points are allocated to each company depending on how frequently it is nominated. The companies with the highest point scores in each individual awards category make the short list for that award. The top company will go on to win the award. Best-in-sector awards are determined by the highest aggregate scores across all research categories.
The IR Impact awards team receives the results and contacts all shortlisted companies to give them the good news. The shortlists are then published to the entire IR community a month before the event.
November: Winners announced
The winners are announced at our awards ceremony, which is attended by the leading lights of the Asian investor relations community.
FAQs +
Why are you asking me to supply IR Impact with my buy and sell-side analysts and portfolio managers?
IR Impact conducts research directed at analysts and portfolio managers to vote for companies, IROs and senior management who they consider have provided them with the best IR service.
What is this data used for?
The data will be used to survey the analysts and portfolio managers, and the results will then be collated to create a shortlist for each category for IR Impact’s regional awards.
Is there a data template I can use?
Yes, click here for the data template. You DO NOT have to use this template if you already have the data in another format.
Can I sign a data-sharing agreement?
Yes, you can. IR Impact has a data-sharing agreement that clearly shows how we will process and use the data. This complies with GDPR.
Can I see your privacy policy?
Please see our privacy policy here.
How do I send you my data?
Either via your company’s FTP secure data transfer site or similar. Send us the FTP site link and password separately, so we can download and save the information securely.
Or
Send the data in an Excel file with their names, firm, job title, direct telephone number and their email address to [email protected]. Please ensure the file is password protected and that the password is sent to us in a separate email.
Will my buy and sell-side analysts and portfolio manager’s data be used for any other purpose?
No. Any data you send to us will only be used for the purpose of identifying the best current exponents of IR and surveying investment community views on IR topics. It will not be used for any other purpose or promotion.
How long will you keep my data for?
IR Impact will only keep your data for the purpose of the surveys, and will not keep it any longer than three years. You can also ask us to delete your data at any time by sending an email to [email protected]
Will my company data be passed on to any third parties?
No, it will not be passed on to any third parties.
Will you let me know when you are conducting the survey?
We will inform you as soon as the survey is underway and give you the opportunity to encourage the investors and analysts who cover your stock to take part.
When will the winning companies and individuals be announced?
The winning companies and individuals will be announced at the IR Awards in the respective region.
If you have any further questions, please contact our research team.
Who attends our events
The majority of our attendees are heads of IR from across Greater China who are being recognized for their fantastic contribution to IR. Each participant is someone with an established track record and a strategic IR role within his or her company.
Below is a sample list of attendees who have joined our event in the past:
| JOB TITLE | COMPANY |
|---|---|
| Assistant manager, IR | Fubon Financial Holding Co |
| Associate director, IR | AIA Company |
| Chief financial officer | CANbridge Pharmaceuticals |
| Chief manager, ESG and IR | China Construction Bank Corporation |
| Director, capital market & IR | ZhongAn online P&C Insurance Co |
| Director, investor relationships | Haier Smart Home Co |
| Director, IR | CLP |
| Director, IR | Koolearn |
| Director, IR | Tongcheng Travel |
| General manager, capital market | Anton Oil |
| Group investor relations manager | CK Hutchison Holdings |
| Head of communications | InnoCare Pharma |
| Head of corporate communication | Transcenta Holding |
| Head of IR & sustainability | ENN Energy |
| Head of IR | MTR Corporation |
| Head of IR | Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co |
| Head of IR & capital market | Brii Biosciences |
| Head of research, portfolio manager | Chartwell Capital |
| International digital content manager | Ping An Insurance |
| Investor relations officer | China Unicom (Hong Kong) |
| IR & communication director | Xinyi Glass Holdings |
| JOB TITLE | COMPANY |
|---|---|
| IR director | AliHealth |
| IR director | Hygeia Healthcare Holding Co |
| IR director & company secretary | China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company |
| IR officer | ANTA Sports Products |
| IR specialist | Precision Tsugami (China) Corporation |
| Manager, sustainability and communications | Kerry Properties |
| Officer, IR | Minsheng |
| Officer, IR department | China Telecom Corporation |
| Senior director, IR | China Modern Dairy Holdings |
| Senior director, IR | NetDragon Websoft Holdings |
| Senior executive, R | NagaCorp |
| Senior investor relations analyst | Central China Real Estate |
| Senior IR director | Yum China Holdings |
| Senior manager | MicroPort Scientific Corporation |
| Senior manager, IR and sustainability | Xtep International Holdings |
| Senior manager, IR | The People’s Insurance Company |
| Senior officer, IR | COSCO Shipping International (Hong Kong) Co |
| Senior officer, IR | Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) |
| Senior vice president | Piacente Financial Communications |
| Treasurer & IR | Hysan Development Company LImited |
| VP, investor relations | Huobi Technology Holdings |
What our attendees say
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.
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Privacy policy
IR Media Group (USA) Inc, the owner of IR Magazine, Governance Intelligence and IR Community, respect the privacy of every person who visits, registers with or subscribes to our websites and online publications, and is committed to ensuring a safe online experience. This privacy statement applies to all IR Media Group’s websites as listed under the heading ‘Sites’ and outlines the information IR Media Group may collect and how we may use that information. It also explains what we do with information about you when you register to attend one of our events.
To view our privacy policy in full, please click here.
