Conference Committee

Rob Gurner

Head of Investor Relations, Inchcape

Chair of the Conference Committee
Treasurer of the IR Society and Chair of the Finance Committee

Rob joined Inchcape plc, the leading global automotive distributor, as Head of IR in April 2023, have previously been at Plus500, a global fintech group, which he joined in May 2020. Prior to that, Rob spent 3 years as Head of IR at Inmarsat plc, a satellite operator, before which he was Head of Global Investor relations for Tokyo-listed Dentsu Inc, following their acquisition of Aegis plc in 2013, where was Head of IR. Before that, Rob had senior IR roles for Lonmin Plc, a platinum mining business, and G4S plc, a security services company. Before moving into in-house IR, Rob worked for a number of financial communications consultancies.

Anneka Finnane

Events Manager - IR Society

Anneka joined the IR Society in May 2024 as Events Manager. Her most recent role was at the Association of Foreign Banks as Senior Practice, Events and Training Associate. Prior to that, she has worked in various membership organisations such as the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, British Council for Offices, and Industry and Parliament Trust, managing a wide variety of events and training programmes. Anneka has a degree in Event Management from Bournemouth University. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family.

Anna Hartropp

Director, Anna Hartropp Ltd

Anna runs a specialist investor relations search firm using her knowledge and experience of having worked in-house as a permanent IRO and IR consultant, as well as having been an Advisor.

Her work in Investor Relations at small, mid and large cap Companies includes Cookson, M&S, Logica (now CGI) and Laird. As an IR Consultant, Anna provided Interim IR solutions as well as projects to help orientate newly appointed IR professionals. Anna worked latterly as an Advisor at Liberum Capital working with listed Companies as well as helping to bring private companies to the market. She has been an active member of the Investor Relations Society and currently sits on the Membership Committee.

Prior to Investor Relations, Anna worked for a high net worth individual and for several key figures at the Conservative Party, including Lord Saatchi, the Rt Hon David Cameron and the Rt Hon Theresa May MP. 

Laura Hayter

CEO - IR Society

Laura is CEO at The Investor Relations Society. Formerly Head of Policy and Communications, Laura took on the role of CEO in 2019 and has been with the Society for over 13 years. Laura has been part of the IR community since 2001, and among other roles, she was formerly a director at the IR consultancy, Taylor Rafferty, providing IR advisory services to blue chip clients, both in London and New York. Laura’s particular interests within IR are around career progression, mentoring and professional development. She graduated from the University of Leeds, with an honours degree in German and management studies.

Catherine Nash

Interim Head of Investor Relations, Pennon Group

Catherine has over 20 years' experience in investor relations having led the IR function at a number of FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies including BT, Royal Mail and abrdn. She is currently Interim Head of Investor Relations at Pennon. Prior to working in investor relations Catherine was an investment banker and corporate broker. 

Maj Nazir

Group Investor Relations Director, Kingfisher

Maj joined Kingfisher in January 2019. Prior to that he was the Director of Investor Relations and M&A at Travelport (from 2014 to 2018), a NYSE-listed travel technology company, and the Director of Investor Relations at AZ Electronic Materials plc (from 2010 to 2014), a FTSE 250 specialty chemicals business. Maj managed the IPO processes for both businesses before establishing their IR functions, and oversaw both businesses being taken private again, including Elliott Investment Management’s acquisition of Travelport. Prior to his career in investor relations, Maj spent 10 years at Deloitte at their London HQ, guiding audits for clients in the technology, media, telecoms and travel industries (including Vodafone, WPP, the BBC, and ebookers.com) while managing transaction services for clients in preparation for IPOs and M&A. Maj is a qualified chartered accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.