White papers

7 September, 2021

This is a practical guide for investor relations (IR) teams on communicating effectively with investors about sustainability. It explains how to engage with investors on sustainable business and the integration of environmental and social factors as drivers of value. This revised version has been updated to reflect the latest developments and rapidly changing investor relations landscape.

7 September, 2021

Our latest research into AIM 100 corporate reporting finds more integrated and authentic storytelling, with a strong focus on the future.

11 August, 2021

Looking for a playbook that gives you the tools to navigate converging forces of change to consumers, investors, employees, partners, suppliers, and the public as a whole? Look no further. The Building Trust Through the 4Rs focuses on corporate responsibility, brand reputation, employee recruitment and audience reach. This report features four case studies, highlighting some of the world’s most ambitious brands.

6 August, 2021

Not taking ESG reporting seriously is no longer an option, but just how well are companies integrating and reporting on ESG? Luminous’ seventh edition of ‘Reporting Matters’ reveals the findings of our research on ESG integration and disclosure in the FTSE 100, alongside best-practice considerations for specific areas, such as ESG strategy, materiality and performance.

29 July, 2021

In their latest whitepaper, the Design Portfolio ESG team explores the emergence of TCFD reporting trends among early adopters of the framework. The paper identifies distinct formats for presenting the TCFD disclosures, and provides a guide to best practice reporting and advice on how to begin your TCFD journey. The team also conducted a deep dive into the core pillars of the TCFD, and share their analysis and expectations for the evolution of disclosure.

23 July, 2021

Industry is facing a sharp resurgence in Shareholder Activism globally with suboptimal ESG communicators the most vulnerable. In this paper Andrew Archer of Investor Update speaks to some of the most influential players in this specialist industry, reflecting the scope, ambition and urgency with which they address the ESG Activism opportunity set.

14 April, 2021

This e-book will help IR professionals to actively maintain relationships with institutional investors and other stakeholders in the fast-moving capital markets world, to maintain the trust of their investor base and to proactively identify potential new investors.

11 March, 2021

Although everyone seems to be talking more about sustainability, a lot of it has remained ineffective and unconvincing. Radley Yeldar’s new report Words that Work: effective language in sustainability communications diagnoses what is wrong with how sustainability is written, explores the origins of the problem, and provides practical principles for bettering sustainability writing.

11 March, 2021

How well are Europe’s largest blue-chip companies communicating their social responsibility stories online – outside of CSR reports? In short, high-level statements are not being backed up with the kind of content needed to build belief in the story. Communications consultancy, Bladonmore, takes a look at the growing credibility gap between what companies are doing around ESG and what they are perceived to be doing – and how to address it.

23 February, 2021

The deadline for complying with the TCFD Framework is looming. Our latest guide looks to break down the details and help you on your TCFD journey.

19 February, 2021

Nasdaq recently released the results of our 4Q20 Global Investor Relations Pulse Survey

30 November, 2020

The impact of COVID-19 has accelerated industry trends that we highlighted in previous editions of this paper. In the financial markets, investor have clearly adopted a stakeholder model and the market has embraced the technological necessities created by the pandemic. Pragmatism has been the revolutionary factor in shareholder engagement and how general meetings are held. Like the rest of the world, they have gone virtual.

18 November, 2020

This comprehensive report includes an overview of the most prominent developments in the ESG space as well as insights gained from over 35 interviews with key market actors. The interviewees include AstraZeneca, BMW, Nestlé, Fidelity Investments, Invesco, T. Rowe Price, AXA Investment Managers, MSCI, Sustainalytics, Bloomberg, UBS, KPMG, Simmons & Simmons, and many others.

29 October, 2020

This research is the latest in Black Sun’s Horizon Series, and captures how companies are communicating their unique value creation stories through their corporate websites. Our analysis further outlines trends, better practice and possible evolutions in digital engagement that will help companies differentiate themselves in a complex, fragmented market.

4 August, 2020

Design Portfolio’s latest investment case research comes in the wake of a suffering global economy, a surge in ESG investing, imminent recession and the “new normal”. The paper sheds some light on the evolution of investment case reporting and how this differs across indices. A new phase of more sophisticated investment case reporting can be observed across as corporates mature from a focus on creation to communication.

30 July, 2020

The pragmatic utility of ESG-related data and the variety of associated frameworks are quickly evolving in fascinating ways. Our research indicates the particular environment resulting from 2020 is an ideal breeding ground for the emergence of factor-based investing and Smart Beta strategies.

19 May, 2020

Are IR teams ready for the new disclosure which will be made available under the Shareholder Rights Directive II? Do they have solutions in place to digest, analyse and act on the enhanced visibility?

28 April, 2020

How are small and mid-cap companies reporting on Section 172? Design Portfolio’s latest whitepaper looks at emerging trends from the first annual reports published under the new regulation and provides some golden rules to boost your stakeholder disclosure.

28 April, 2020

We understand that during this time of uncertainty you may need sound advice on what to communicate and how to do so. You can download our brand new guide, designed with the intention of helping you to work your way through this crisis.

14 April, 2020

As we adjust to the ‘new normal’, the investment community is assessing the long-term impact on companies and their ability to operate within a changed world. The onus will fall on issuers across the board to redefine their strategic and operational approach. In this paper, we explore how issuers can be effective in communicating by adopting a modular approach through and beyond the pandemic crisis.