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About meira

The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Annual Conference and Awards is the largest IR event in MENA.

This benchmark event brings together participants from locally listed firms, international corporates, investors, research analysts and advisors, as well as representatives of the region's Regulatory bodies. The aim of the Conference is to provide delegates with a networking platform and to encourage dialogue around market challenges and best practice, while educating participants and stakeholders on the importance of Investor Relations, transparency and corporate governance.

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About meira
about idx

About ADX

ADX is a market for trading securities; including shares issued by public joint stock companies, bonds issued by governments or corporations, exchange traded funds, and any other financial instruments approved by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). ADX is the second largest market in the Arab region and its strategy of providing stable financial performance with diversified sources of incomes is aligned with the guiding principles of the UAE “Towards the next 50” agenda. The national plan charts out the UAE’s strategic development scheme which aims to build a sustainable, diversified and high-value added economy that positively contributes to transition to a new global sustainable development paradigm.

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Conference Summary

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2-day conference
The Conference will run over 2 days with various keynote presentations and thematic panel discussions and workshops.
Corporate Access for members
Corporate Access for members
Corporate access for MEIRA members during the two days.
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Exclusive Awards Dinner to recognise the IR leaders in the Middle East.
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition space and other opportunities to showcase your brand and services to a highly targeted audience.

New features for 2024

Buy-side
Buy-side
For the first time, the event will be actively targeted to the buy- and sell-side, bringing a wider investment community audience to the largest IR event in the region.
C-Suite
C-Suite
Bigger C-Suite audience and specific sessions with high-caliber and senior speakers.
Corporate Access
Corporate Access
The event will include an exclusively designed corporate access event during the two-day conference. Issuers will have the opportunity to meet regional and international investors.
Strategic partnerships
Strategic partnerships
The conference will run in the context of the Abu Dhabi Finance Week, leveraging the visibility and importance of the event for the capital markets.

Why attend?

  • Network with your peers and share your experience during the biggest IR event in the Middle East
  • Show your stakeholders that you are committed to improve IR best practice
  • Catch up on the latest industry trends and access a broad network of industry partners
  • Build brand awareness among the IR community in the Middle East and maximize your visibility

Panels

Explore our panelists and moderators

Panel 6 | Navigating the Investor Maze: Asset Management Strategies for a Multifaceted Audience

December 12, 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Speaker
David Rothon
David Rothon

David Rothon

David Rothon

David Rothon is the CEO of AD Global Investors and was previously the Head of the Asset Management of First Abu Dhabi Bank.  David has over 25 years’ experience in asset management gained at a number of leading firms including Barclays Global Investors (Blackrock), PIMCO, Northern Trust Asset Management and Colchester Global Investors.  David is a board member of the Invest AD UCITS ICAV, the Chairman and Board member of the Middle East Investment Management Association (MEIMA), and has previously been a Board member of the Institutional Money Market Funds Association.  He also serves as a Non-Executive Director on UAE based Investment funds.

Speaker
Nick Mason
Nick Mason

Nick Mason

Senior Analyst, Mayar Capital
Nick Mason

Nick joined Mayar in 2023 as a senior analyst working for the Responsible Saudi Equity Strategy. Prior to joining Mayar, Nick was for 16 years a Fund Manager and Senior Analyst on the Emerging Markets Equities team at Invesco and also has investment oversight experience across a variety of asset classes. Nick holds the Investment Management Certificate from the CFA Society of the UK, a MSc (Research) in Politics from the University of Edinburgh, and a BSc in Political Science from MIT. 

Speaker
Scott Darling
Scott Darling

Scott Darling

Managing Director – Equity Research, Haitong International
Scott Darling

Scott Darling joined Haitong International in January 2022 as Managing Director, focused on the Global Energy Sector. Scott’s previous work experience include J.P. Morgan as Head of Regional Commodities equity research in Hong Kong for over 7 years, where he covered many of the Asian energy companies as well as coordinating the regional energy macro views. Scott has also worked for Barclays in Hong Kong and 3 years with Nomura in Dubai, where he was responsible for establishing equity research coverage in the Middle East and leading coverage of Middle East energy, chemicals, power and transport sectors. Before that, Scott worked in Lehman Brothers European Energy equity research team, which was ranked No. 1 in European Institutional Investor (2003-08). Scott started his career at ExxonMobil, where he spent 6 years in a variety of roles in chemicals and natural gas marketing. He has a degree and PhD in Chemistry (The University of Cambridge).

Speaker
Manuel Isaza
Manuel Isaza

Manuel Isaza

Director, BlackRock Investment Stewardship, BlackRock
Manuel Isaza

Manuel Isaza, Director, is the Deputy Head of the BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) team, based in London. The BIS team actively works with BlackRock's portfolio companies to promote effective governance and create value for clients and to address economic risks that arise from social, environmental and governance issues.

Manuel is responsible for leading and supporting the BIS team's engagement with portfolio companies in markets within EMEA on behalf of BlackRock's clients globally. Manuel also actively engages with clients and other stakeholders on topics including proxy voting, shareholder engagement, stewardship reporting, and thought leadership. He is a board member of Eumedion, the leading Dutch association representing institutional investors' interests in the field of corporate governance and sustainability.

Prior to joining BlackRock, Manuel worked at BMO Global Asset Management in Corporate Governance and ESG Integration. Manuel also worked at Hermes Investment Management in the Equity Ownership Services team as an ESG Analyst.

Moderator
Sam Ryan Siahpolo
Sam Ryan Siahpolo

Sam Ryan Siahpolo

Strategic Investor Relations Lead, Instinctif Partners
Sam Ryan Siahpolo

Sam Ryan Siahpolo is leading Instinctif Partners’ Investor Relations advisory arm. Recognized as an Investor Relations expert in the region, he strategically advises C-suite executives and boards of some of the largest publicly listed companies in the Middle East—including those with market capitalizations exceeding USD 50 billion with key ownership stakes from GCC sovereign wealth funds. 

His expertise has been pivotal in navigating complex financial landscapes, enhancing shareholder value, and strengthening corporate reputations. With a deep understanding of the multifaceted needs of diverse shareholder groups, Sam excels in developing innovative IR strategies that resonate with global investors. His relationships with buy-side and sell-side analysts, both regionally and internationally, have solidified his reputation as a trusted bridge between corporate management and the investment community. 

In addition, he has successfully advised on high-profile capital market transactions in the industrial sector. His strategic guidance has been critical in achieving successful outcomes that align with both corporate objectives and investor expectations. Sam has contributed significantly to the discourse on effective investor communication, transparency, and engagement. He has been instrumental in shaping best practices and elevating the standards of IR across the region. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Boston University's Questrom School of Business.

Agenda

Agenda

We are excited to announce that the agenda for the upcoming MEIRA Conference is now available! We've incorporated your valuable feedback into this high-level outline.
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ScheduleAgenda
8:15 - 9:15REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING
9:25 - 9:30Welcome Remarks by H.E Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchanges (ADX)
9:30 - 9:35Special Message by H.E Dr. Maryam Butti Al Suwaidi, CEO, Securities & Commodities Authority of the UAE
 
9:35 - 9:45Opening Keynote Speech by Klaus Froehlich, Group CIO at ADNOC Group
9:45 - 9:50Remarks by Andrew Tarbuck, Chair, MEIRA
9:50 - 10:25

PANEL 1
GCC Exchange CEOs Plenary: The Rise of the GCC: Unlocking Growth and Value Creation in the Regional Capital Markets

  • Engine Room of Growth: Unveiling the key drivers propelling the GCC's capital markets to new heights.
  • Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Strategies for crafting a captivating equity story that resonates with investors in the GCC.
  • Value Proposition 101: Effectively communicating value creation strategies and ensuring investor alignment.
  • The Regulatory Advantage: Exploring the role of evolving regulatory frameworks in fostering market growth and stability.
  • Benchmarking Success: Delving into real-world case studies of successful value creation within the GCC.
  • Economic Winds of Change: Analyzing the impact of broader economic trends on the trajectory of GCC capital markets.
  • Moderator:
    • Peter Gotke, MEIRA’s Board
  • Panelists: 
    • Sh. Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse
    • Mr. Haitham Salim Al Salmi, CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange
    • Mr. Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Exchange
    • Mr. Abdulla Salem Al Nuaimi, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Mr. Hamed Ali, CEO, DFM & Nasdaq
10:25 - 10:40

CASE STUDY – DELIVERING IR EXCELLENCE: ADNOC Drilling  

  • Presented by:
    • Abdulrahman Alseiari, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Drilling
    • Youssef Salem, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Drilling
10:40 - 11:00COFFEE BREAK  
11:00 - 11:05Ceremony – Announcing new TABADUL member
11:05 - 11:35

PANEL 2
Bridging the Divide – Fungibility and the Future of Cross-Exchange Trading

  • Dual Listing Dilemmas: Demystifying the complexities of dual listings and navigating the challenges posed by regulatory disparities across exchanges.
  • Connecting the Dots: Exploring cutting-edge innovations that enhance connectivity and interoperability among global stock exchanges.
  • Fungibility: Friend or Foe? Analyzing the impact of trading fungibility on market liquidity, arbitrage strategies, and overall market efficiency.
  • Building a Regulatory Bridge: Discussing the need for collaborative regulatory frameworks to streamline trading environments and facilitate cross-exchange activity.
  • Benefits for All: Identifying the advantages of cross-exchange trading for both institutional and retail investors.
  • The Future is Now: Unveiling emerging trends and technologies that are revolutionizing cross exchange trading and shaping the future of market access.
  • Moderator:
    • Matthew O’Keefe, Managing Director, FTI Consulting
  • Panelists: 
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Tony Tooma, Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa Sales, BNY Mellon
    • Zahi Bsaibes, Head of Primary Capital Markets, Middle East, London Stock Exchange
    • Redwan Ahmed, Group Senior Vice President - Investor Relations, DP World 
11:35 - 12:05

PANEL 3
The C-Suite Viewpoint: Why Investor Relations Matters

  • From Trust to Value: Building a foundation of trust and transparency through effective investor relations.
  • The IR Advantage: Unlocking the power of strategic investor relations to boost market valuation and shareholder confidence.
  • Communication is Key: Developing clear and consistent investor communication strategies for long-term success.
  • Beyond Compliance: Exploring the role of investor relations in fostering strong corporate governance practices.
  • Navigating Rough Waters: Proactive engagement during market volatility and building investor resilience.
  • The Long Game: Attracting and retaining long-term investment through a robust investor relations program.    
    • Moderator:
      • Marwa Faisal AlMaskati, Senior Director of Partnership Development, Sustainability and Communication, Bahrain Bourse
    • Panelists: 
      • Peter Van Driel, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Gas 
      • Sh. Ghassan Khamis Ali Al Hashar, Chief Financial Officer, Omantel
      • Hubert Lafeuille, Chief Financial Officer at Arabian drilling
      • Chris Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, Aldar Investment
12:05 - 12:25

FIRESIDE CHAT – Investor Engagement Best Practices. A view from Blackrock  

  • Presented by:
    • Manuel Isaza, Director Stewardship, BlackRock Investment Stewardship
    • Paolo Casamassima, Chief Executive Officer, MEIRA 
12:25 - 12:55

PANEL 4
The Future Is Now: AI and Digital Transformation In Investor Relations

  • Digital Revolution in IR: Most impactful digital tools applicable for IR and what it means for the scope of IR role. Recommended methods to enhance efficiency of financial reporting and analysis through AI
  • AI in IR: How AI is transforming IR workflows and processes. Emerging channels and methods of communication. Best practices for integrating AI-driven tools
  • Data Demystified: Leveraging data analytics to gain deeper insights into investor behaviour and preferences, peers and market sentiment. Leading practices for ensuring data integrity and accuracy 
  • The Power of Personalization: Utilizing digital insights to develop targeted and personalized IR strategies, including around communication and investor targeting
  • Regulatory considerations: Measures to ensure transparency and accountability when utilization digital tools and AI Digital compliance
    • Moderator:
      • Roger Brian Tejwani, Senior Director - Investor Relations, at Presight
    • Panelists: 
      • David Grunfeld, Founder, aiiro AI
      • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media, The Annual Report Company
      • Abdulwahab Zarah, Investor Relations Director, First Mills Company
      • Alicia Gallego-Martinez, Founder & CEO, Audere Strategies
12:55 - 14:00LUNCH AND CORPORATE ACCESS 1
14:00 - 14:45CORPORATE ACCESS 2
15:00 - 15:45CORPORATE ACCESS 3
16:00 - 16:45CORPORATE ACCESS 4
17:00 - 17:45CORPORATE ACCESS 5
18:00 - 18:45CORPORATE ACCESS 6 (OPTIONAL) 
19:00END
 
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS: Workshops run in couples simultaneously and last for 25 mins
14:00 - 14:25

WORKSHOP 1: Empowering The Region’s Retail Investors - by Edelman Smithfield

  • Presented by:
    • Issam Kassabieh, Account Director, Investor Relations, Edelman Smithfield
    • Ali Abdin, IR and Financial Communications Account Manager,
      Edelman Smithfield


WORKSHOP 2: Navigating Regulatory Compliance and Emerging Considerations - by Instictif Partners

  • Presented by:
    • Pablo Alday, Managing Partner, Instictif Partners
14:00 - 15:0012th GCC CEO Exchanges Meeting (Closed-Door, by invitation only)
14:30 - 14:55

WORKSHOP 3: The Integrated Reporting (and Thinking) Journey: A Case Study - by Smart Media

  • Presented by:
    • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media The Annual Report Company


WORKSHOP 4: Mastering Earnings Calls – Best Practices for Engaging and Informative Earnings Events - by Lumi Global

  • Presented by:
    • Sylvie Harton, Chief Business Strategy Officer, Lumi Global 
14:55 - 15:15 COFFEE BREAK 
15:15 - 15:40 

AFTERNOON PANEL  – Integrating Governance and Investor Relations - by MEIRA & GCC BDI

  • Introduction and Remarks:
    • Andrew Tarbuck, Chairman, MEIRA
  • Moderator:
    • John Gollifer, Chief Executive Officer, GCC BDI
  • Panelists: 
    • Amani Korayeim, Director Corporate Product & Partnerships Europe/EMEA, Extel
    • Eline Hilal, Director – Investor Relations, Insurance, Aluminum Bahrain
    • Marc Hammoud, Head of Investor Relations, Abu Dhabi
      Ports Group
15:45 - 16:10 

WORKSHOP 5: Engaging North American Investors: Strategic Outreach for Middle Eastern Issuers - by InspIR Connect

  • Presented by:
    • Jeff Tewlow, Managing Director, InspIR Connect

WORKSHOP 6: Tabadul Session: Increase your global investor base via Tabadul Exchange Hub

  • Presented by:
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer at ADX 
16:15 - 16:40

WORKSHOP 7: Mastering Reports: Guiding Newcomers and Overcoming Key 
Challenges for Experienced Professionals - by Fanda

  • Presented by:
    • Guy Lane, Head of Content, Fanda
    • Mikhail Seleznev, Senior Reporting Consultant and
      Sustainability Expert, Fanda

WORKSHOP 8: Leveraging AI to improve engagement with stakeholders - by Nasdaq

  • Presented by:
    • James Tickner, AVP – Head of Product, IR Intelligence, Nasdaq
    • Abishek Singh, Senior Director – IR , Nasdaq
16:45 - 17:10

WORKSHOP 9: Speaker Coaching and Story Telling for C-Suite and IROs - by Mediatree

  • Presented by:
    • Laurence Borde, Founder and Director, Mediatree

 

17:10END
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