John has been a leader in the field of investor relations for nearly 20 years, having worked closely with Chairmen, CEOs, CFOs and committee chairs on some of the UK’s most notable contested takeovers and activist engagements, as well as several important remuneration redesigns. John has led Investor Relations, Corporate Communications and Strategic Marketing functions over his career with Cadbury, ICI , National Grid, Exel and, most recently, Rolls-Royce. He also Chaired the UK’s Investor Relations Society for three years between 2011 and 2014. An engineering graduate of the University of Cambridge, John started his career in Engineering and Finance at TI Group plc in the early 1990s.

As an in-house practitioner, John has advised senior management and Boards on numerous complex investor, corporate and communications challenges leveraging his financial expertise and practical experience. Issues have included:

Corporate Stewardship and Strategy

– Fundamentally re-evaluated and redesigned Rolls-Royce’s investment proposition against backdrop of intense investor hostility
– Led development of proactive Board engagement plans around governance events, roadshows and messaging at Rolls-Royce and National Grid
– Managed the capital markets work-stream in defence of Cadbury from Kraft Foods in 2009/10
– Developed and led capital markets strategy for the successful defence (~20% increase in offer price) of ICI from Akzo Nobel in 2007/8

Activism

– Advised the Rolls-Royce Board and senior management on the initial and ongoing engagement with ValueAct Capital, including investor engagement, messaging around Board appointment and considerations for the settlement agreement
– Led engagement with the Investor Forum and supported evaluation of recommendations and actions, including Board transitions
– Advised on and supported the ongoing engagement with Trian Partners at Cadbury Remuneration
– Advised on design and consultation of Rolls-Royce‘s revised remuneration schemes against a backdrop of underperformance, management change and shareholder activism
– Direct support to Chair of Remuneration in design and consultation for National Grid’s