FAQs
What is the Investor & Issuer Forum (I&IF)?
The I&IF is an inclusive platform launched by the Investor Forum to enhance the effectiveness of UK markets. It brings together investors and issuers to work on initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of the markets, with a focus on sustainable value creation.
Why was the I&IF created?
The I&IF was created to provide a space for market participants to come together, aiming to strengthen relationships between companies and investors, drive actionable initiatives, reduce market friction, and enhance the effectiveness of the UK equity markets. Its creation is a natural extension of the work of the Investor Forum, established in 2014 by institutional investors in UK equities following the Kay Review, which highlighted the importance of relationships built on long-term trust and confidence across the investment chain.
What are the main goals of the I&IF?
- Encouraging a renewed focus on value creation.
- Driving actionable initiatives for market improvement.
- Enhancing the overall functioning of our market.
- Strengthening relationships between issuers and investors.
- Reducing friction in market interactions.
What’s the relationship between the Investor Forum and the I&IF?
The Investor & Issuer Forum (I&IF) is an expansion of the Investor Forum’s commitment to improving market practices, designed to further enhance working together to address issues of material concern between investors and issuers. The I&IF will initially operate within the existing infrastructure of the Investor Forum, ensuring that both forums can work synergistically to strengthen UK equity markets.
The Investor Forum will continue to operate as usual, maintaining all its current activities and initiatives and continue to prioritise a safe and secure platform for collective engagement. It remains independent and will continue to work on behalf of its investor Members.
The I&IF is an additional initiative, backed initially by the London Stock Exchange, designed to bring together key stakeholders to address practical challenges and drive meaningful change.
What is the approach of the I&IF?
The I&IF is an inclusive platform for feedback and action, ensuring all voices are heard. The I&IF is committed to highlighting areas where companies and investors need to work together, surfacing innovative ideas, gathering feedback from market participants, leading and supporting research, and identifying practical steps to improve the market.
What value does the I&IF provide?
The I&IF provides a space for investors and companies to work together on issues facing the marketplace. The I&IF is committed to providing practical insights by identifying challenges, facilitating dialogues, and driving key projects that deliver real change. These insights are shared through research, analysis, and guidance on critical issues affecting the UK equity markets.
Who leads the I&IF?
The I&IF is guided by a Steering Committee comprised of senior leaders from across the investment chain, including asset managers, asset owners, and Chairs of listed companies. The Chair of the Investor Forum will be the inaugural Chair of the I&IF Steering Committee. The LSE and FRC are observers to the Steering Committee. Over the next few months, eight additional Steering Committee members will be appointed, bringing the total to 12 senior leaders from across the investment chain. The Investor Forum team provide a secretariat function to ensure that the agreed actions are delivered.
What is the role of the Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee is responsible for setting the agenda, prioritising key issues, encouraging cooperation between investors and companies, and championing initiatives that strengthen UK equity markets.
What will the I&IF focus on initially?
Over the next few months, the Steering Committee will oversee the development of an Investor & Issuer Covenant – that will lay the foundation for the I&IF – and identify priority issues to shape an agenda for 2025 and beyond.
What’s unique about the I&IF?
The I&IF is unique in its focused approach to enhancing working together to address material issues of concern between investors and issuers with the goal of improving the effectiveness of UK equity markets. Unlike other initiatives, the I&IF brings together a diverse range of market participants on a single platform, enabling them to take responsibility and work together on actionable solutions that drive real market improvements. Backed by the London Stock Exchange, the I&IF is committed to reducing market friction, strengthening relationships, and delivering practical outcomes that create sustainable value.
The I&IF operates under the guidance of a Steering Committee composed of industry leaders, ensuring that its work is both impactful and aligned with the needs of the market.
What is the vision of the I&IF for the future?
For the first three years, the I&IF aims to operate within the existing infrastructure of the Investor Forum supported by sponsorship. By 2028, based on proven demand and impact, the I&IF plans to develop a long-term business model to ensure sustainable and lasting impact on the UK equity markets.
How can I get involved with the I&IF?
You can get involved by signing up for the I&IF newsletter, participating in forums, sharing ideas, contributing to research efforts, or sponsoring events or projects. For more information or to express your interest, you can contact the I&IF at [email protected]
Why is the I&IF needed?
The I&IF is built on the belief that market participants have a common interest in working together to enhance the effectiveness of the UK’s capital markets. This forum is designed to be highly practical and grounded in the real-world needs of market participants with a focus on delivering tangible results. It is a place for corporates and investors to come together to discuss critical issues facing
our markets. The I&IF fills a gap, providing a platform for market practitioners to work together on issues of common interest-to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and implement actionable solutions that reduce friction and strengthen relationships. By focusing on practical initiatives that drive real change, the I&IF helps to create a more efficient, resilient, and valuable marketplace, ultimately benefiting all participants and the broader economy.
What is the background to the I&IF?
The Investor Forum launched the Investor & Issuer Forum on 6 September 2024. The I&IF is a key component of the broader reforms aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the UK’s capital markets and has been established following recommendations put forward by the Capital Markets Industry Taskforce (CMIT). It complements the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) ongoing initiatives to enhance market stewardship and is backed by the London Stock Exchange.
How is the London Stock Exchange involved in the I&IF?
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) shares the I&IF’s goal of building better relationships between issuers and investors and enabling clear alignment through the investment chain. During the initial proof of concept phase the I&IF will be backed by the LSE. Along with the FRC, the LSE is an observer to the Steering Committee and will be closely involved in ensuring the initial objectives are achieved.
Where can I find more information or contact the I&IF?
For more information or to get in touch, you can contact the I&IF
at [email protected]. You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest developments and opportunities to participate.
Can investors who are not members of the Investor Forum get involved with the I&IF?
The I&IF will endeavour to reflect the views of all market participants – including passive funds, international investors, and smaller asset owners. Non-Investor Forum investors will be represented on the Steering Committee and will also be welcome to join the discussions and events to provide these perspectives. Current Investor Forum Members can be confident that their views will be considered, and their views actively sought, through the involvement of the Investor Forum team.
How can organisations who are neither investors nor issuers get involved with the I&IF?
The investment ecosystem comprises a number of actors, and it’s important that all voices are heard in the debate – as such, we will actively seek all insights and perspectives. In areas of aligned interest, we welcome sponsorship, support and contributions from service providers, and look forward to working with other industry bodies.