Best Practice Committee

Julian Smith has worked in the capital markets and investor relations ecosystems for over 25 years. He is currently MD at BRR Media, a leading agency specialising in helping companies to create engaging online videos and live events for investor relations and critical stakeholder communications worldwide. Prior to joining BRR Media, Julian worked in investment banking for 18 years, both on transactions and continuing advisory mandates across different teams in M&A, equity capital markets

An executive coach and consultant helping agencies and senior leaders accelerate their growth. He has over 25 years experience in IR and corporate comms, with a 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.

In here current role Amani supervises the Corporate IR product within Europe/Emerging EMEA and oversees critical client relationships, strategic partnerships, the introduction of new research products, and the expansion into new markets. She collaborates closely with Investor Relations and executive management teams, leading workshops to assess capabilities and shape IR engagement and outreach strategies. She is a CIR holder and earned a BSc in Economics & Politics from QMUL.

Anthony has over 20 years’ experience working for FTSE 100 and 250 companies in investor relations, communications, economic and strategy roles. Currently Director Investor Relations at WPP, one of the world’s largest marketing communications companies. Prior to this he was at Vodafone in a number of roles including Head of Investor Relations. Before this he worked for Corus Group, as Acting Director Investor Relations, and its predecessor British Steel, as an economist and strategic adviser.

Holly has held senior roles in Investor Relations at Wickes, Aston Martin and easyJet. Prior to IR, she spent 15 years as an investment analyst and portfolio manager, in equities and credit, at Aviva, F&C, and Baring Asset Management and in a senior role at a hedge fund. Outside the corporate world, she developed and marketed a niche consumer product which she invented, patented and brought to market. Holly graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA (Hons) French and German and is a CFA

Katya has 20+ years in international capital markets. She judged the IR Society 2021 Best Practice Awards in ESG Communications and published an article in the IR Society Journal. Katya chaired the Board Effectiveness & Stakeholder Governance working group at the Institute of Directors' Center for Corporate Governance. With 14 years in investment banking, she has also served on boards of impactful organizations like the Global Leaders Program and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Liz joined the IR Society in January 2022. Liz qualified as a lawyer with Linklaters, where she practiced in the corporate tax department for five years. In 2003, Liz joined the technical strategy department at the ICAEW where she was responsible for policy, representations and member guidance on various aspects of business law including company law, distributable profits, insolvency, data protection and workplace pensions. Liz graduated from the University of Oxford with an MA in Biology.

Liz brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, spanning FTSE 100 to FTSE 250 organisations. She has spent the past decade specialising in Investor Relations, most recently at Foresight Group, a FTSE 250-listed investment manager. Since joining Foresight post-IPO in 2021, Liz has led the development of its Investor Relations programme and was appointed to the Executive Committee as Partner, Corporate Affairs in November 2024.

Simon is President Investor Relations at Wood Group. Prior to that he was Director of IR at Babcock International, from 2018-2021. He was previously Head of Investor Relations at Johnson Matthey Plc, a chemicals company, and helped reset their equity story in 2017. Before that, Simon worked at Vodafone for a number of years including roles in business intelligence, commercial finance and four years in their investor relations team. He is a Chartered Accountant and started his career with KPMG.

In his 12 years at Luminous, he has led our core Investor Communications division from a strategic perspective, and his work has been recognised through multiple awards from the UK’s most respected industry organisations. His strategy team consists of reporting best practice, research, ESG, investor analysis and wider investor communications experts who help clients develop meaningful reporting strategies and offer advice on content, messaging, regulation, and framework alignment.

Stuart is currently Head of Investor Relations at International Airlines Group (IAG). Prior to this Stuart was in similar roles at Capita, easyJet, National Express and Eurofins Scientific. Stuart holds a degree in Law and Accounting from the University of Manchester. He is a Chartered Accountant having qualified at PwC.