IR Networking: AI and the IRO
*Fully booked - waiting list only* Join the IR Society's AI Working Group for a panel session exploring the impact of AI on investor relations, followed by networking drinks at Goldman Sachs.
You will hear from experts about the impact of AI on the buy-side and sell-side, as well as learning about the AI Working Group's plans to support IR Society members in harnessing the AI opportunity.
The session will include:
- insight from analysts and investors on the adoption of AI in the investment process
- findings from the 2025 Members Survey about the status of AI in IR
- details of the forthcoming AI best practice guidelines
- explanation of the AI for IRO Spectrum which we use to map the impact of AI
- an invitation for members to contribute white papers and articles on specific aspects of AI
Agenda
16:00 Arrivals and networking
16:30 Panel discussions
17:45 Networking with drinks
18:30 Close
Guest speaker: James Arnold
Global Co-Head of Strategic Insights and Advisory, UBS
James read Philosophy & Politics at Hatfield College, Durham University and has worked in a wide variety of equity focused roles across both the buy and sell side of public markets, including being a buy side analyst, portfolio manager and managing equity sales desks Since joining UBS in 2013 James moved from Head of UK Sales to equity research where he wrote UK and European equity strategy research and wrote extensively on the relevance of management language in market communications In 2020 James created the Strategic Insights team within Global Banking which produces content orientated towards companies rather than investors. That team was merged with the Corporate Insights team at Credit Suisse and James is now the Global Co Head of Strategic Insights and Advisory Outside the office he bores his children about the lessons and relevance of military history. To give his children a break he spends as much time as he can playing golf or cricket.
Guest speaker: Chris Fremantle
Equity Research Manager, Goldman Sachs
Chris Fremantle joined Goldman Sachs in 2025 as part of the Equity Research Management team. Chris was previously at Morgan Stanley Investment Management as a portfolio manager since 2022; prior to that, he was a sell-side analyst and co-head of the Real Estate & Homebuilding team at Morgan Stanley from 2009, having originally joined as a Telecoms analyst in 2003. He has an MA in French and German from Oxford University and is a CFA Charterholder.
Guest speaker: Ross Hawley
Head of Investor Relations, ZIGUP
Ross has had a 30+yr City career, working in investment banking and hedge funds before moving into IR in 2009, where he has worked at a variety of FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies, including undertaking a NASDAQ IPO. Ross is currently Head of IR for FTSE250 ZIGUP plc which has won both UK and European mid-cap website awards, and which launched the FTSE's first website-based AI search tool in 2024. He has led AI for IRO-focused seminars on the IR Society DELIVER programme and been on a number of AI panels, including for LSE and IR Impact magazine conferences. Ross was a Board member of the IR Society 2014-25 and Deputy Chair 2023-25 and co-chairs the Policy Committee. He is a member of the AI Working Group, as well as being a NED on technology consultancy, BlueHat Associates.
Guest speaker: James Lockyer
Research Analyst - Technology, Peel Hunt
James Lockyer joined Peel Hunt in 2017 to help rebuild the technology equity research franchise. Today, as well as his day job, he also pushes Peel Hunt to stay innovative in this era of exponential technological change as Chairman of his interdepartmental Innovation Forum. James was previously at Jefferies where his focus was pan-euro Internet and Media, which followed his five-year financial analysis graduate programme at Sky. He has a Masters in Finance from Cambridge and a Master of Mathematics from UEA and University of California, Berkeley.
Guest speaker: Al Loehnis
Independent
Al Loehnis is an executive coach and consultant, helping agencies, entrepreneurs and senior leaders to accelerate their personal and business growth. He has over 25 years experience in IR and corporate communications, with particular expertise in digital. After starting his career as a sell-side analyst, Al was a founding director of Investis (IDX), 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.
Guest speaker: Dan Redman
Insights & Engagement Director - Design Portfolio
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.
Guest speaker: Maddie Seacombe
Independent
Maddie is an experienced investor relations and corporate communications consultant with over a decade of expertise supporting clients across EMEA and APAC. She has worked with companies at all stages of growth and across diverse sectors, delivering ongoing IR and communications programmes, as well as providing strategic guidance during capital markets transactions and corporate crises. Maddie has deep experience managing online investor communications and advising on effective disclosure strategies across digital channels. She is a member of the IR Society’s AI Working Group, and holds the Society’s Certificate in Investor Relations (CIR) in addition to the CFA UK’s Level 4 Investment Management Certificate (IMC).
Guest speaker: Nick Stone
SVP, Head of IR, Fresenius
Senior finance and investor relations executive with 20 years of experience across leading global healthcare companies. Currently Senior VP, Head of Investor Relations at Fresenius Group (since Oct 2024). Previously held the same role at GSK (2021–2024) and multiple leadership positions at AstraZeneca (2005–2021) spanning investor relations, global strategy, business development, and operations. Expertise in finance, strategic planning, business development, and competitive analysis.
Dates
- 4.00pm to 6.30pm Tuesday 11 November, 2025
Location
- Goldman Sachs, 25 Shoe Lane London, EC4A 4AU
With thanks to our Events Programme Sponsor
Open to all Members and Non-members *Fully booked - waiting list only*
- Free to members
£0 - Non-members - £50 + VAT
£60