Book Synopsis
Investor Relations and ESG Reporting in a Regulatory Perspective is a comprehensive and detailed practical guide for financial market participants, focusing on the stock market, written for practitioners by practitioners. The main themes of the book include the challenging integration of investor relations (IR) and the non-financial reporting of environmental, social and governance (ESG). Further, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the complex regulatory framework of the European Union (EU) related to the financial markets, including the expected global trends in this area. This includes financial legislation such as MiFID II, MiFIR and MAR along with non-financial legislation like the EU's taxonomy, CSRD and SFDR. In addition, this book explores the non-financial reporting standards of GRI, TCFD, CDSB, IBC, SASB, IRRC and the upcoming ISSB, and discusses the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the book provides a practical guide regarding IR in special situations, e.g. in connection with takeover response manuals, M&A, investor activism, initial public offerings (IPOs), as well companies' collaboration with e.g. investment banks and corporate finance advisers, financial PR and IR advisers in such situations. The suggested audience of the book includes board members and senior management of in particular listed companies, and companies considering an IPO; professionals working in the fields of IR, ESG and communications; institutional and retail investors; private equity executives; venture capitalists; investment bankers; legal practitioners; accountants and auditors; financial journalists; and politicians. Finally, university and business students may benefit from an insight into the dynamics of the financial markets and the direction they are moving, a possible inspiration for choosing a future career.
From the Back Cover
Investor Relations and ESG Reporting in a Regulatory Perspective is a comprehensive and detailed practical guide for financial market participants, focusing on the stock market, written for practitioners by practitioners. The main themes of the book include the challenging integration of investor relations (IR) and the non-financial reporting of environmental, social and governance (ESG). Further, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the complex regulatory framework of the European Union (EU) related to the financial markets, including the expected global trends in this area.
Extracted Praise from Testimonials -- Full Endorsem*nts Featured in Frontmatter
"..... This book provides an excellent and competent overview of the challenges that senior management and boards are facing today relating to new ESG reporting requirements ..... I offer this book my highest recommendations as relevant and newsworthy reading regarding companies' and institutions' continued journey in pursuing the ESG agenda and meeting the increasing demands of investors regarding high-quality ESG reporting."
--Lise Kingo, Independent Board Director in Sanofi SA, Covestro AG and Aker Horizons ASA; Former CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact; and prior to this, Executive Vice President and member of Novo Nordisk's Executive Management
"I doubt that a more insightful and practically-oriented handbook has been written, or may be written over the next decade, on the subject of investor relations, not only providing an essential overview but also illustrating how IR is executed in a best practice manner. This book integrates IR and ESG reporting, which is essential for global investors today ....."
--Carsten Borring, Associated Vice President Global Listing, Nasdaq; Member of The Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) Listing Expert Group; Former board member of the Danish Centre for ESG Research and the Danish Government's Panel for Entrepreneurs
" ..... I take pleasure recommending this book to any stakeholder with an interest in the EU regulatory framework related to the financial and capital markets, including to companies and investors outside the EU who wish a competent EU regulatory overview."
-- David Moalem, Partner, Ph.D., Bech-Bruun law firm, Capital Markets & Financial Institutions Team; Former Partner and National Head of Legal Services at Deloitte
"The authors provide unique and incredibly insightful practical information and recommendations for IROs and Executive Management teams in listed companies regarding organising and executing best practice IR. The combination of simple and straightforward information, and its many layers of solid theoretical understanding and real-life examples, makes this book invaluable for both the experienced and the newly started IRO ...... This book is, in every manner, highly recommended."
--Michael Bjergby, Senior Vice President, Head of Group Finance, ISS A/S; Former Head of Investor Relations at ISS, Pandora and GN Group
About the Author
Poul Lykkesfeldt is managing partner, senior adviser and founder of Reliance A/S, a leading Danish financial PR and communications firm with an international client base. Poul has over 35 years of experience in the fields of investor relations, financial transactional PR, investor activism, corporate/ESG communication and media relations related to listed and private companies, and private equity firms. Poul has previously served as head of IR, and deputy head of corporate communications, of Novo Nordisk; as a top-rated senior equity analyst with ABN AMRO; and as an investment banker and corporate finance adviser in London (UBS) and Copenhagen (KPMG Corporate Finance). Today, Poul advises international and domestic clients within financial PR/IR in connection with transactions, annual reports and ESG reports, as well as crises communications and media relations/training. Finally, Poul is a trusted adviser for company boards and the C-suite. Poul holds a M.Sc. (Econ.) from the Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, and a PED from IMD, Switzerland.
Laurits Louis Kjaergaard is strategy and business development manager at I&T, one of Denmark's most prominent independent asset managers. Having lived in six countries, Laurits has held finance and consulting positions at leading buy-side, sell-side, and regulatory advisory firms, including ABG Sundal Collier, PwC, Interogo (Inter IKEA Holding) and Danske Bank. During his career, Laurits has both worked with and prepared traditional company equity research, as well as ESG research reports, on listed companies in his earlier capacity as an equity research analyst. Prior to this, he advised companies on the implementation of selected EU legislation. Laurits holds a M.Sc. (Finance) from the University of Liechtenstein, a B.Sc. Business and Sociology from the Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, and a finance certification from the London School of Economics.
