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by Chris Makuch on Mar 18, 2025 4:18:41 PM
The consensus from our recent Toronto event? Investor relations is getting more difficult.
Last month, we teamed up with the Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) to bring together leaders from across the global IR community. I had the opportunity to enjoy a thought-provoking discussion with these experts, exploring the biggest trends shaping the profession.
Our group included:
- Kay Bommer - Managing Director, DIRK (Germany)
- Matt Brusch - President & CEO, NIRI (U.S.)
- Laura Hayter - CEO, The Investor Relations Society (UK)
- Ian Matheson - CEO, Australasian Investor Relations Association (Australia)
- Nathalie Megann - President & CEO, CIRI (Canada)
Here are 7 key takeaways from the conversation.
1. Regulations Are Getting Tougher Everywhere
One of the biggest topics of discussion was regulation – and how much harder it’s becoming to keep up. Across the world, new rules are making investor communications more complex, demanding more time from IR teams.
- In Europe, companies are adjusting to strict ESG disclosure rules like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This requires companies to provide extensive details on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. It’s a big shift that demands more reporting, more compliance checks and an increased focus on transparency.
- In the United States, companies feel like they’re constantly navigating new regulations, which add complexity without always providing clear benefits to investors. The challenge is ensuring compliance without overwhelming IR teams or diluting the effectiveness of investor communications.
- In Australia, new climate-related reporting requirements are coming soon, meaning IR teams must align their disclosures with evolving sustainability expectations.
No matter where you operate, the rules are getting tougher. But compliance alone isn’t enough – companies need to think strategically about how they communicate their financials and ESG efforts to keep up with regulatory changes while ensuring their corporate story resonates with investors.
2. ESG Reporting: Meaningful? Or Just a Compliance Exercise?
A few years ago, ESG reporting was mostly about meeting investor expectations. Companies shared their sustainability initiatives because it mattered to shareholders.
But now, governments and regulators are taking control of the conversation, setting strict rules on what companies must disclose.
The challenge? What regulators require doesn’t always align with what investors actually use to make decisions. Some companies are stuck producing detailed ESG reports just to meet compliance requirements without clear evidence that these disclosures add value for shareholders.
For IR teams, the balance is tricky. On one hand, they need to meet regulatory requirements. On the other, they need to ensure their ESG messaging is engaging, clear and genuinely meaningful to investors – rather than just another compliance checkbox.
The companies who go beyond the basic requirements and focus on making ESG data useful and insightful will stand out.
3. AI and IR: Cautious Curiosity
AI was a key topic of discussion throughout the event. While there’s excitement about its potential, there’s also a lot of caution.
- Some companies are already using AI for sentiment analysis – tracking investor reactions and market sentiment in real time.
- Others are leveraging AI to streamline investor targeting and refine messaging.
- But many IR teams are hesitant, worried about security risks and the reliability of AI-generated insights.
Adoption for IR varies across regions – overall, Germany is taking a cautious approach, while the U.S. and Australia are further ahead in experimenting with AI-driven tools.
AI isn’t replacing human judgment, but it’s becoming an increasingly valuable tool for IR pros who know how to use it strategically.
4. The Misinformation Challenge
Trust in the media is at an all-time low, and this means companies need to be more proactive in controlling their narrative. Misinformation spreads quickly, and IR pros need to be proactive in addressing it.
At the end of the day, the best defense against misinformation is clarity, consistency and ethical communication. Companies that focus on these fundamentals will be better positioned to maintain investor trust.
5. Social Media is Playing a Bigger Role in IR
LinkedIn is quickly becoming a key platform for investor communications. Companies are using it for:
- Earnings updates – Sharing key financial results in an accessible way.
- Thought leadership – Positioning executives and IR teams as industry voices.
- Corporate news – Providing regular updates that keep investors engaged.
However, while social media is a great tool, it’s not replacing traditional IR channels. The challenge is ensuring messaging remains consistent across platforms and that social media is used strategically, not reactively.
6. AGMs Are Evolving - But Slowly
The format of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) is a hot debate. Companies are still figuring out the best approach:
- In Canada and Australia, hybrid AGMs are gaining traction, allowing for both in-person and virtual participation.
- Germany is resisting virtual AGMs, as many shareholders prefer face-to-face engagement.
- The UK is experimenting with digitally enabled AGMs, giving investors more ways to participate.
It’s clear that AGMs will continue evolving, but companies need to strike the right balance between accessibility, engagement and governance.
7. The Cost of Being Public is Going Up
New regulations, increased reporting requirements and compliance costs are making it more expensive to be a publicly traded company.
- In Germany and the UK, some companies are considering dual listings or even moving to U.S. markets, where valuations may be more favorable.
- In Australia, private markets are becoming more attractive, leading to shifts in investor behavior.
For IR pros, this means adapting strategies to maintain strong investor engagement while navigating a more challenging regulatory and financial landscape.
The Future of Investor Relations
The regulatory landscape is evolving, technology is changing how we communicate and trust in financial markets has never been more important.
To succeed in 2025, IR pros have to be adaptable, forward-thinking and proactive to better shape and control corporate narratives.
A huge thank you to CIRI and our fellow panelists for such an engaging discussion. I’m looking forward to continuing these conversations and seeing where we go next!
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