My ICIR Journey - Andrew Gamwell

Tell us a little about your background – what were you doing before you moved into IR?

I have been working in IR at Schneider Electric for coming up on six years, having previously worked elsewhere within the finance function, within the group’s consolidation and external reporting team. My
background is as a chartered accountant, and I have worked both in practice (mid-tier and ‘big four’ experience) and in industry in finance roles at several companies. My time in IR has been exciting – coinciding with significant evolutions of the equity story at Schneider – and I have enjoyed broadening my skillset and working within a dynamic and diverse team.

Why did you decide to study for the CIR?

Despite my in-role experience working in IR, I felt there were some ‘blind spots’ in my expertise. While I was confident in my financial acumen given my background, I felt that in some areas such as the regulatory environment I could benefit from taking a structured approach to furthering my education as an IR professional. The IR Society qualifications are well respected in the profession, and given that I am UK-based
but working for a truly global company, with a listing in France, the International Certificate in IR seemed perfect for my situation.

How did you find the process of studying for the ICIR?

The study guide is comprehensive and broken down into chapters that are well organised by different subject areas. I found it particularly interesting to consider the role of an IR professional through these
differing lenses – some where I had a good level of existing knowledge, and others where I benefitted from learning new approaches and considerations. The online mock exam allowed me to test my knowledge retention and understanding, preparing me fully for a successful attempt at the final examination.

Has the knowledge gained from the ICIR been useful in your day-to-day job?

Absolutely. The role of IR is always evolving and it is important that we as IR professionals evolve with it. I have been able to bring new perspectives to my day-to-day work, and I certainly feel that I now have a more rounded knowledge base to draw from when faced with the different situations we encounter through our professional lives. Perhaps the greatest benefit of the ICIR is not so much any individual fact or piece of
information, rather a wider 360-degree view of everything that IR encompasses, giving greater context to the challenges and opportunities that come our way.

What would you say to anyone who was thinking of studying for the ICIR?

I would recommend the Certificate in IR for all those making their way in the profession, particularly those coming into the function from different backgrounds. The ICIR specifically lends itself to those, like me, who
are working in listed companies registered outside the UK. It can form an important step of ongoing professional education as we each look to best prepare ourselves for the challenges of the future.