Best Practice Committee

Dan Redman

Insights & Engagement Director - Design Portfolio

Co-Chair of the Best Practice Committee

Daniel Redman is Director of Insights and Engagement at corporate communications consultancy, Design Portfolio. Daniel’s experience is in advising corporates on improving dialogue with investors, engagement with key stakeholders and effectively communicating their purpose and ability to create sustainable value to the outside world. Daniel has been an active member of the IR society for over 10 years and is a member of the QCA Governance Expert Group and a CSE Certified Sustainability Practitioner. He also holds the Certificate in Investor Relations and frequently runs thought leadership campaigns in both the corporate comms and sustainability space.

Geoff Callow

Head of IR - Ecora Resources

Co-Chair of the Best Practice Committee

Geoff has been Head of IR at Ecora Resources plc since April 2022. He has spent over 20 years in equity market communications in both in-house and consultancy roles. Prior to joining Ecora he was a Director of the IR Consultancy, Equitory having previously spent 14 years as a Head of IR in the oil & gas space. Before becoming an in-house IR professional Geoff spent seven years in financial PR. Geoff is an Alumni of the Deliver programme and has obtained the Diploma IR.

Liz Cole

Head of Policy and Communications - IR Society

Liz joined the IR Society in January 2022 as head of policy and communications. Liz qualified as a lawyer with Linklaters, where she practiced in the corporate tax department for five years. In 2003, Liz joined the technical strategy department at the ICAEW where she was responsible for policy, representations and member guidance on various aspects of business law including company law, distributable profits, insolvency, data protection and workplace pensions. Liz graduated from the University of Oxford with an MA in Biology.

John Crosse

Director of IR and Group Strategy - IDS plc (formerly Royal Mail plc)

John has worked in Investor Relations for over 18 years, starting at O2 plc in 2004. During that time he has worked across a number of businesses and sectors, including Severn Trent, where he led the IR function during a time of significant regulatory change and political and media scrutiny, including a successful bid defence;  CYBG plc (now Virgin Money) where he established the investor relations function prior to a successful de-merger/IPO; ConvaTec Group, where he guided the business through a challenging period post IPO and developed a strong pipeline of new investors and diversified the shareholder base; and more recently at IDS plc (formerly Royal Mail plc), where he has taken on a Group strategy role as the business adapts to the post COVID world and deals with industrial unrest. John has a background in Finance and Strategy, along with private equity and IPO experience. John has an Masters in Psychology from University College London and outside of work enjoys music, film and motorsport.

Sonya Ghobrial

Head of Investor Relations - Haleon

Sonya is currently Head of Investor Relations at Haleon, having formerly been Head of Investor Relations for the Consumer Healthcare business at GSK before it separately listed in 2022. Prior to this Sonya ran her own IR advisory company Clear Giraffe IR for just under 3 years working with several large and mid cap listed companies after leading IR for Heineken. During her Heineken tenure she was externally recognised for improving the external perception of the company.

Sonya also worked in investment banking for over ten years predominantly as a sell side analyst but also as an equity specialist sales focused on the consumer sector,  and at banks including Barclays, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. She is also a fully qualified Chartered Accountant with ICAS, having qualified with KPMG.

Katya Gorbatiouk

Head of Funds, Primary Capital Markets and Sustainable Finance Committee - London Stock Exchange

Katya has over 20 years of experience in international capital markets. 

Katya served on the judging panel for the IR Society 2021 Best Practice Awards in ESG Communications.  Her article on the evolution of corporate communications was published in the 2021/22 issue of the IR Society Journal Informed.

Katya has recently chaired the Board Effectiveness & Stakeholder Governance working group at the Institute of Directors’ Centre for Corporate Governance.  She co-authored an IoD publication on best practices of enacting a stakeholder-centric approach by corporate boards and led the creation of the Centre’s content related to board effectiveness. 

Her early career includes 14 years in investment banking at Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse and Barclays, in New York and London.

Katya has been a long-standing board member of organisations with high social impact, such as the the Global Leaders Program (Washington DC), London Music Fund and London Symphony Orchestra. 

Holly Grainger

Director of Investor Relations - Wickes Group plc

Holly has held senior roles in Investor Relations at Wickes, Aston Martin and easyJet.  Prior to her move into IR, she spent 15 years as an investment analyst and portfolio manager, in both equities and credit, at asset managers Aviva, F&C and Baring Asset Management and in a senior role at a hedge fund.  Outside the corporate world, she developed and marketed a niche consumer product which she invented, patented and brought to market.  Holly graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA (Hons) French & German and is a CFA charterholder.  

Anthony Hamilton

Director Investor Relations - WPP

Anthony has over 20 years’ experience working for FTSE 100 and 250 companies in investor relations, communications, economic and strategy roles. Anthony is currently Director Investor Relations at WPP, one of the world’s largest marketing communications companies. Prior to this he was at Vodafone in a number of roles including Head of Investor Relations. Before this he worked for Corus Group, as Acting Director Investor Relations, and its predecessor British Steel, as an economist and strategic adviser. He is an active mentor, providing guidance and counsel for those who either are or feel disadvantaged.

Al Loehnis

Independent

Al Loehnis is currently a consultant and board adviser, helping agencies and entrepreneurs in the communications space to build reputation and accelerate growth. He has over 20 years experience in IR and corporate communications, with particular expertise in digital. After starting his career as a sell-side analyst at UBS and CSFB, Al left the City in 2000 to become a founding director of Investis, Europe's leading specialist in digital communications. He subsequently spent five years as a Partner at financial PR agency H/Advisors Maitland. He was a Director of the Investor Relations Society from 2004-13.

Laura Hayter

CEO, IR Society

Laura is CEO at the IR Society. Formerly Head of Policy and Communications, Laura has been with the Society for more than ten years. Laura has over 19 years’ experience in the Investor Relations industry. She joined The IR Society in 2011, and among other roles, was formerly a director at the IR consultancy, Taylor Rafferty, providing IR advisory services to blue chip clients, both in London and New York. She graduated from the University of Leeds, with an honours degree in German and management studies.

Amani Korayeim

Director, EMEA Sales and Product Development, lnstitutional lnvestor

Amani Korayeim is the Director, All-EMEA – II Research. She oversees key client relationships, strategic partnerships and the launch of new research products as well as the expansion into new markets. She works closely with IR and executive management teams, running capability assessment workshops to help inform and drive IR outreach strategies. Before joining lnstitutional lnvestor, Amani worked in the business information sector providing research based advisory services to professional services companies on global mandates. She has spent the last 9 years in the IR space and speaks regularly at IR events focused on global trends in IR, outreach optimisation and the impact of new regulations. Amani obtained the Certificate of Investor Relations (CIR) from the UKIRS and graduated from the University of London with a BSc in Economics & Politics

Simon McGough

President, Investor Relations - Wood Group

Simon is President Investor Relations at Wood Group. Prior to that he was Director of IR at Babcock International, an aerospace and defence company, from 2018-2021. He was previously Head of Investor Relations at Johnson Matthey Plc, a chemicals company, and helped reset their equity story in 2017. Before that, Simon worked at Vodafone for a number of years including roles in business intelligence, commercial finance and four years in their investor relations team. He is a Chartered Accountant and started his career with KPMG.

Stuart Morgan

Head of IR, IAG

Stuart is currently Head of Investor Relations at International Airlines Group (IAG). Prior to this Stuart was in similar roles at Capita, easyJet, National Express and Eurofins Scientific. Stuart holds a degree in Law and Accounting from the University of Manchester. He is a Chartered Accountant having qualified at PwC.

Julian Smith

Managing Director - BRR Media

Julian is Managing Director of BRR Media, which creates digital content that enables companies to engage their investors and other stakeholders online.  Prior to joining BRR Media, Julian spent over 15 years providing equity advisory services to companies as a corporate broker with Dresdner Kleinwort, Collins Stewart and Jefferies, both on day-to-day engagement with investors, as well as on corporate transactions.