CEO Update - November 2026

Hello everyone. 

Despite a busy final quarter, as we head into November, attention is naturally beginning to turn to the year ahead. We’re starting to shape the Society’s priorities for 2027. But I want those plans to be grounded firmly in the experiences of our members. 

Over recent weeks, I’ve been visiting member organisations and meeting IROs. Our annual member survey gives us valuable insight into what you want and need. But there really is no substitute for sitting down with members and hearing directly about the realities of the role. What is changing? Where are the pressures growing? And where can the Society provide more practical support? 

If you would like to host a visit, or simply have ideas you would like to share, please do get in touch.  

One issue I have been discussing with members is the Government’s Modernising Corporate Reporting consultation.  

Our recent roundtable with the Department for Business and Trade showed strong support for modernisation. But it also produced a clear message: success should not be measured simply through shorter reports or lower costs. Reform should make it easier for investors to find, understand and compare the information they need, while maintaining transparency, accountability and confidence in our markets. The Society is continuing to gather evidence from members ahead of the consultation deadline on the 30th of November. 

Through our survey, roundtable discussions and wider engagement, we are exploring issues including duplication, materiality, and digital reporting and the potential role of AI.  

The practical, investor facing perspective of IR professionals is essential to this debate. Our response will be focused on reporting that is better, more accessible and genuinely useful for decision-making. 

Alongside our policy work, I’ve also been pleased to launch a new series of member interviews called Leading IR. The aim is simple: to celebrate the achievements of our members and share quick, direct insights from experienced practitioners. 

Our recent conversation with Rob Gurner, Head of IR at Inchcape and Deputy Chair of the Society, explored the importance of building knowledge and credibility quickly, developing trusted relationships and ensuring that IR is a source of strategic advice within the business. Rob also shared a simple but powerful question for IROs to ask their investors: 

“What can we do as a company, and as an IR team, to make your job easier?” 

It is a very good question, and one that gets to the heart of effective investor relations. 

Further interviews are on the way, featuring IROs with different career paths, sector backgrounds and perspectives.  

That idea of learning from one another will remain central to our plans for 2027. The Society’s role is not only to provide courses, events and technical guidance. It is also to connect people, create space for candid conversations and make it easier for members to share their knowledge and experience. 

I also often talk about the importance of learning from our international counterparts. In 2026, we launched our ‘Letters from’ series in Informed magazine to recognise the value of exchanging global insights. It has been wonderful to see the concept grow and flourish and the latest issue features no fewer than six letters from around the world. 

From Japan to Ukraine, and from Germany to the Philippines, the differences and similarities between our companies and capital markets provide an endless source of interest and insight. 

There is still plenty to do before the end of 2026. Our major AI and the IRO event takes place on the 10th of November, followed by our Best Practice Awards Dinner on the 24th.  

The Awards shortlists were announced in October, and both the quality and volume of entries demonstrate the excellent work taking place across the market. I’m also excited about the forthcoming relaunch of our Certificate in Investor Relations, ensuring that our professional development offering continues to meet the needs of modern IR professionals. 

But this is also the right moment to look ahead. My ambition is that, in 2027, we become even more member led, more outward looking and more focused on the areas where the Society can make a tangible difference. 

The best way to achieve that is to keep listening. 

So, whether through our survey, at one of our events, during a visit to your organisation or simply through an email or conversation, please continue to share your views with us. 

I look forward to speaking to many more of you in the months ahead. 

Thank you.