IR Discussion: How to Prepare for and Respond to Activism

Senior Client Advisor, Temple Bar Advisory

Alistair is an Investor Relations and Corporate Communications specialist with over a decade of experience advising management teams of UK and international companies.

He has helped management teams strengthen their relationships with investors, build support for their strategies and compete effectively for investment. He has successfully steered companies through critical moments including profit warnings, transactions, M&A, IPOs, placings, disposals, CVAs, administrations, restructuring programmes, crises and activism. He also has particular expertise across ESG, digital communications, crisis and issues management.

He holds both The Certificate and The Diploma in Investor Relations. Alistair has a degree in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds.

Partner, White & Case LLP

Tom Matthews is a partner in our global M&A and Corporate practice based in London. Tom is also Head of the Firm's EMEA Activism practice.

Tom has over 20 years' experience advising corporates, investment banks, private equity and hedge funds and family offices on international public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures, primary and secondary equity raisings and sell-downs, and listed company advisory and corporate governance matters.

Tom also advises a number of companies, activist funds, founder shareholders and other active shareholders on their shareholder engagement campaigns and responses.

Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Garrett Muzikowski is a Managing Director for the M&A, Activism & Governance practice in FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications segment. Mr. Muzikowski supports companies in the development of strategies to secure shareholder support in both contested and uncontested situations.

Mr. Muzikowski advises clients preparing for shareholder activism and when navigating live activism situations, ranging from private engagements to proxy fights and contested M&A. He has advised companies when engaging with Elliott Management, Starboard Value, Jana Partners, Engaged Capital, Legion Partners, Ananym Capital and Land & Buildings, among other activist funds.

Mr. Muzikowski also counsels companies on corporate governance matters. With a distinct understanding of how to appeal to investors’ internal voting policies, he partners with clients to draft compelling proxy statements and develop effective shareholder engagement strategies. During his career, he has helped clients secure favorable outcomes on hundreds of proposals, including director elections, Say on Pay proposals, equity plans and environmental or social shareholder proposals.

Head of Investor Relations

Louise has had a range of investor relations and investor relations advisory roles, most recently as the Head of Investor Relations at De La Rue during an eventful three years which culminated in the agreed purchase of the business by Atlas Holdings in July 2025. She has also worked in investor relations in the real estate and venture capital sectors, as well as a corporate broker at both Cazenove and UBS.  She qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse.

Partner, MKP Advisors

Tony is a partner at MKP Advisors where he works closely with companies and institutional investors, providing stakeholder insight and intelligence in situations including M&A, capital raising, sell-downs, activism, distress and corporate change.

He has acted as a trusted advisor for more than 20 years, mostly focused on UK corporate advisory within global investment banks. Tony works closely with management teams and boards across governance, regulatory, activist and transactional situations.