In this episode of Enquire, Ross Hawley reflects on a 34-year career spanning banking, hedge funds, sustainability and senior IR roles across multiple FTSE companies. Now leading IR at Zigup plc, Ross discusses how credibility is built through judgment, clarity and a deep understanding of the business. He shares practical insights on crisis communication, capital markets days, narrative development, and why the IRO must balance facilitation with authoritative communication. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping investor behaviour, what companies must do to make disclosures machine-readable, and why authenticity and long-term thinking remain central to effective IR.
What you'll learn in this episode:
How a diverse career across banking, hedge funds and sustainability shaped Ross’s approach to IR
What the “dual role” of the IRO really means in practice
Why authenticity and structure define successful capital markets events
How to communicate effectively in times of crisis
What it takes to explain a complex business model clearly and consistently
Practical tools for simplifying disclosure and enhancing accessibility
How the buy side is adopting AI and what that means for corporate communication
Why companies should avoid drafting with AI but embrace it for thinking and workflow
Lessons from Zigup’s IR programme, rebrand and website transformation
Advice for aspiring IR professionals and those moving from the sell side
Quotes:
“When your CEO or CFO is in the room, you’re the quiet facilitator. When they leave, you are the representative of the company.”
“Answer the phone. How you sound really matters.”
“AI will help you think, but it shouldn’t write your CEO statement.”
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