International Women’s Day 2023: Interview with Bethany Barnes
Bethany speaks about her IR career across various companies and who has influenced her most.
Bethany Barnes is director of investor relations at Dr. Martens Plc
What has been your career path to date?
After studying economics at university, I somewhat fell into my first job, at Makinson Cowell – which is where I first came across IR as a profession. I then went into the sell side, covering the retail sector at both Investec and Berenberg, and during this period I was awarded my CFA. I knew I wanted to move into IR and in 2015 I made the jump, firstly at N Brown and then Dominos. In 2021 I joined Dr Martens following the IPO.
What qualities and skills do you think are key to bring to the IR role?
Clearly as a communications role, being a good communicator is crucial. The ability to collaborate, influence and work with a wide range of people and roles is also important. Finally, being highly organised and able to multitask and work at pace I’d view as key skills too.
What changes have you seen in IR and where do you see the role of IR in the future?
IR has increased in profile significantly, both in terms of the value that boards place on it and in the wider business world. I expect this to continue.
In terms of future changes, companies need to communicate with a growing group of external audiences – investors, analysts, media, customers, public bodies, social media, ESG stakeholders – and I envisage IR roles continuing to expand in remit to reflect this. Secondly, I’d expect the sell side to continue to decline in terms of coverage depth and therefore the ongoing trend of direct communication with the buy side will only increase in importance.
What challenges, if any, have you faced to reach where you are in your current role?
I don’t think I’ve particularly faced major external challenges. In the past, like many people – and dare I stereotype and say often many women – imposter syndrome was a challenge at times. Thankfully I worked with a great coach and have overcome that barrier.
I also found becoming a mother and juggling work and motherhood a challenge, and have worked hard to ensure that the balance is right for me and my family.
Any advice to those either thinking about the next step up in their IR career or moving into IR?
Network with as many people in the IR world as you can – and the IR Society is a fantastic place to start.
Be constantly curious – you never stop learning, including about the company you’re the IRO in.
Do you have a female role model in your career? Who inspires you?
I’m lucky that I’ve worked with a number of really successful, very grounded and highly supportive women during my career. At Docs specifically I work with many highly capable women, many of them mums, and they inspire me hugely. In the IR world, Fay Dodds who was the IRO at Burberry was a big inspiration to me and very kindly gave me lots of advice and support, particularly when I first started in the profession.
Published 8 March, 2023