Ep 02: The Value of Face-to-Face Interaction with Hugo Fisher

Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast

The last few years have brought communication technology and strategies to the fore, but there are key concerns around the downsides of digital comms that many professionals are looking forward to leaving behind. Today we sit down with accomplished investor relations director, Hugo Fisher, to discuss the value of face-to-face interactions, the difficulties of access in the time of COVID, and some reflections on his wealth of experience across multiple transactions in his current role at D.S Smith. With more than 15 years of advising corporate clients under his belt, including 9 years in his current position, Hugo kicks the conversation off with how he found the transition to investor relations, before taking us on a virtual tour of his role at D.S Smith. After a quick foray into their acquisition of Europac and some learnings from the transactional side, Hugo shares his top advice for anyone interested in entering the field, as well as the importance of having a management team that you trust and who will trust you. His company is no stranger to sustainability efforts; we also touch on their strategy and communication on ESG matters before diving into the specific skillset he looks for in a hire, and the biggest mistake he often sees in the field: overcomplicating things too soon! To hear his perspectives on current trends and the downsides to virtual comms, particularly as it relates to the needs of IR, tune in to yet another insightful conversation with a top investor relations professional in the UK.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hugo takes us through his career to date and how he ended up in investor relations.
• How he found the transition to investor relations and some challenges in that.
• Reflections on his 9 years at D.S Smith and the aspects he enjoys the most.
• Talking about the acquisition of Europac and some learnings from the transactional side.
• What his biggest challenge has been and how to keep interest levels alive.
• We discuss the difficulties the pandemic has brought about in terms of access.
• The importance of access to the senior team in investor relations.
• Insights on current IR trends and how he stays on top of them!
• Hugo shares some of the investor education seminars they've done.
• What's become more efficient in terms of COVID and digital comms.
• His experience of conferences and what makes some more successful than others.
• How they manage communication around ESG matters at D.S Smith.
• Their sustainability strategy and how they're helping customers with their sustainability commitments.
• The top skills and characteristics Hugo looks for in the hiring process!
• The most common mistakes he's observed in IR.
• A bit about retail investment and where they spend the majority of their time.
• Some plans for 2022 and the face-to-face interactions he's looking forward to.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Hugo Fisher on LinkedIn

D.S Smith