FAQs

  • What are the IR Society Best Practice Awards?

    The annual Awards have run for over two decades and are a celebration of companies that wish to demonstrate their commitment to leading investor relations and communications. This important Society initiative is reviewed annually by the Best Practice Committee and represents an integral part of the Society’s mandate to promote best practice in IR.

  • What are the benefits and why should I enter?

    The business, technology, political and economic environment is changing, external recognition is limited and time is short. Entering our Awards is an opportunity to demonstrate and showcase what a major difference each one of us in the profession can make to the companies we represent.

    Benefits of entering include:

    • Evidence excellence – to win or to be shortlisted, shows that you have reached the very highest standards, as judged by an independent panel of leading experts;
    • Raise your profile (and that of your partners) – with your peers, internal and external stakeholders, strengthening your corporate reputation, and you may also find that partners or service providers are interested in supporting the entry process for their own profile;
    • Make your company proud - it’s a great recognition for all the hard work, commitment and dedication;
    • Reflect on your work – the process of entering the Awards often adds perspective, helps one to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation’s IR and communications strategies and provides a springboard of ideas on what to focus on for the future;
    • Incentive to improve - the competitive nature of the Awards provides an opportunity to challenge the internal ‘status quo’ and to strive for improvement across different aspects of the function.
  • How many different awards are there?

    There are five Self-entry Award categories (see below for an overview of each Award):

    • Best Communication of Sustainability
    • Best Innovation in IR
    • Best Corporate Website
    • Best Annual Report
    • Best IR Programme

    There are four Voted Award categories with input from Extel Surveys that were conducted in February 2026:

    • Best Newcomer to IR (individual)
    • Best Investor Relations Officer (individual)
    • Best Overall Company IR (company)
    • Best Investor Engagement (buy-side firm)

    For both the ‘Best Overall Company IR’ and ‘Best IRO’ voted awards we will recognise individual winners across the Large-cap, Mid-cap and Small-cap categories, to encourage and promote best practice across all company sizes.

  • Who can enter?

    The Awards are open to all listed* companies in the UK, continental Europe and Global ex Europe under the five main categories for the Self-entry Awards.

    * Entries must be from (or on behalf of) listed companies with equity shares admitted to trading on a public market in the UK or abroad, with the following exceptions:

    • for the ‘Best IR Programme’ self-entry Award, we also have a Private Company category, which companies can enter if their equity shares are not admitted to trading on a public market in the UK or abroad (for example, companies that are pre-IPO, portfolio companies within a private equity fund, private companies that intend to have their shares traded on an intermittent trading platform or companies with listed debt), and
    • for the Best Innovation self-entry Award, we will also consider initiatives or innovations relating to Debt IR from unlisted companies that have listed debt. Such entries should be made for the appropriate size category, determined by the Society Executive and based on evidence provided to support their equivalent market capitalisation.

    For UK listed companies, the size categories for Large-cap, Mid-cap and Small-cap align with FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE SmallCap classifications as at 31 March 2026. For companies not included in the FTSE indices (including international and AIM‑traded companies), size categories are determined by their market capitalisation as at 31 March 2026 as follows:

    • Large cap:  above £3.5bn;
    • Mid cap: £500m to £3.5bn;
    • Small cap: below £500m.

  • How do I enter the Self-entry Awards and how long does it take?

    Companies and agencies can enter as many Awards as they wish. Just review the Awards criteria form(s) so you know what to include in your entry. You can then upload and submit a Word document which contains your entry statement through the online entry form. The process for our self-entry Awards is easy, and gives the IR team an opportunity to share their approach to the Award and to highlight what works for them and their audience(s). Potentially, this should be an important opportunity to differentiate your company, IR and investor communications for your target audience(s).

    Once completed, your entry statement can be submitted online along with links to any additional supporting information and payment.

  • What are the entry costs for 2026?

    1 entry £265 / 2 entries £315 / 3 entries: £370

    Average prices are therefore £157.50 per award where two entries are made, and £123.33 for three entries.

    Note that only multiple entries for different categories by (or on behalf of) the same company benefit from the discount.

  • Can we use AI tools to help prepare our Award entry?

    Yes. AI tools may be used to assist with drafting entries. However, judges will be looking for submissions that are genuinely company‑specific, reflecting your organisation’s own voice, priorities and experience. The strongest entries will include concrete, specific evidence of outcomes and impact rather than generic or formulaic descriptions.

  • What is the difference between the Self-entry awards and the Voted Awards?

    The Self-entry Awards require a company and/or its agency to submit an entry statement through the online form provided by the Investor Relations Society on the Awards website.

    The size criteria for the Self-entry Awards are: For UK listed companies, Large-cap, Mid-cap and Small-cap categories are aligned to FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE Small-cap classifications as at March 31 2026.

    For companies not included in the FTSE indices (including international and AIM‑traded companies), size categories are determined by their market capitalisation as at 31 March 2026 as follows:

    • Small cap: up to £500m;
    • Mid cap between £500m to £3.5bn; and
    • Large cap is £3.5bn+.

    Voted:

    The Voted Awards, run in partnership with Extel, generally address a large buy- and sell-side audience who vote for their preferred companies/IROs under each category. The winner for each category is determined by the greatest number of votes. For more information and the methodology please visit: www.extelinsights.com. The criteria for the Voted Awards are determined by Extel and the following Market Cap thresholds apply:

    • Small Cap up to US$2B,
    • Mid Cap between US$2B – US$10B, and
    • Large Cap is US$10B+.

  • When do the Self-entry and Voted award entries open for 2026?

    The 2026 Best Practice Self-entry Awards launch on 6 May 2026. Nominations for the Voted Awards were open during February 2026. For the Voted Awards, voting is cast by investors and the broker universe, and all new contacts are verified and assessed for their eligibility to participate in the survey.

  • What is the deadline for award entries?

    The 2026 Best Practice Self-entry Awards entries will close on 31 August 2026. The Voted Awards nominations closed in February 2026.

  • Is there a word limit to entries?

    There is a 500 - 1000 word limit for entry statements which can be found in each of the Awards criteria. This is to ensure entry statements are concise, keeping in mind individual Awards descriptions and considerations, paying particular attention to what the judges are looking for.

    • Best Communication of Sustainability – 1000 words
    • Best Innovation in IR – 800 words
    • Best Corporate Website – 800 words
    • Best Annual Report – 500 words
    • Best IR Programme – 800 words
  • When will the shortlists and winners be announced?

    The shortlists for both the Self-entry and Voted Awards will be announced in October, at least a month before the Investor Relations Awards dinner on 24 November 2026 taking place at the Royal Lancaster, Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY, when the winners will be announced.

  • Do you provide feedback for Award entries once the shortlists have been revealed?

    We receive hundreds of entries for our Awards and so we unable to provide detailed specific feedback for every entry. Those shortlisted and the winners can request judges’ feedback from the Investor Relations Society team, after the Awards event has taken place. We cannot provide feedback prior to the event.

  • If my company is international, but listed on the UK Stock Exchange, which category should I enter for?

    Listed companies across all regions can enter into the Large-cap, Mid-cap and Small-cap categories. All entries will be integrated into the relevant category depending on size. For FTSE listed companies, the size categories for Large-cap, Mid-cap and Small-cap align with FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE SmallCap classifications as at 31 March 2026. (For companies not included in the FTSE indices (including international and AIM‑traded companies), size categories are determined by their market capitalisation as at 31 March 2026 as follows:

    • Large cap:  above £3.5bn;
    • Mid cap: £500m to £3.5bn;
    • Small cap: below £500m.)

  • What does the judging process for the Self-entry entail? Who are the judges?

    Entries for the Self-entry Awards are judged by an independent panel of esteemed academic experts, investor relations and investment community professionals with significant expertise in the area they are judging.

    Led by an independent Chair, the judging panel includes industry professionals, investors, academics, professional bodies and other interested parties who make up our IR community. We aim to add to the panel each year and a full list appears on the Investor Relations Society website.

    In order to short-list each Award for submission to the judging panel, all entries are scored against the relevant Award criteria, which are based on the Society’s guidelines for best practice in investor relations, which can be found here. The scoring of entries is completed on both a qualitative and quantitative basis.

    We also receive expert analytical input from independent third parties, including Alliance Manchester Business School and Lancaster Management School.

  • What if my company’s annual report isn’t published until after the deadline – am I eligible to enter?

    All entries need to have been published before the entry deadline of 31 August 2026. Entries for Best Annual Report, and Best Communication of Sustainability, should be accompanied by links to a published digital version of the relevant annual report, together with any other supporting documentation, by 31 August 2026. Where a PDF version of the annual report exists, entrants are encouraged to upload or link to it, as this can help streamline the judging process and academic analysis. Please also highlight any other relevant URLs for judges to consider.

    You can still enter even if your company’s report is inaccessible on your website. In this instance, to assist with the judging process, you may submit a digital version, and where a PDF version exists, you are encouraged to upload or link to it, and we would ask that you indicate in your entry statement the pages or sections of your annual report, website or investor presentations where key information is covered/ can be found, and you can specify the date when the online report will go live, including, within reason, if this occurs soon after 31 August 2026.

  • Have there been any changes to the Awards this year?

    Through the work of the Best Practice committee we review and adapt our Awards criteria in line with current best practice annually. This year we have refined and reviewed our Self-entry Awards to ensure they reflect any changes in regulation and current best practice.

    There were no major changes to our five Awards categories from last year. The ‘Best IR Programme’ Award includes a category for private companies, in recognition of those private companies that are leading the way in broader investor and stakeholder communications. Furthermore, we review the Best Innovation in IR Award each year, as we continue to see developments within IR and innovation, including around AI. This year, in addition to being more explicit about some of the areas in which innovation might be considered and the criteria that the judges will be looking at to assess the award, we will also consider innovations relating to Debt IR from unlisted companies that have listed debt.

    See below for an overview of each Self-entry Award.

  • Is there an overview of the five Self-entry Awards?
    • Best Communication of Sustainability

    We recognise that this remains a rapidly evolving area for many companies and each will be at different stages of their journey. We would like to see businesses communicate how internal approaches are being adapted to meet the evolving needs of their stakeholders in relation to the company’s impact on society and the environment. The judges are looking for evidence of transparency around how inputs on matters integral to the company’s long-term resilience are gathered, assessed and acted on; what information is shared with the board; how the resulting decisions become part of the company’s strategic objectives and are tracked on an ongoing basis at the business.

    • Explain how your approach to integrating your sustainability strategy within the company’s long-term value proposition has been reflected in your investor communications.
    • Articulate how you have engaged with wider stakeholders in the year to ensure you have reflected their information needs in your communication channels.
    • Demonstrate how you have measured the effectiveness of your communications of sustainability.

    Best Innovation in IR

    This Award seeks specific examples of innovation and/or transformation over the past 12 months. Innovation should represent a meaningful enhancement or step-change in how IR challenges are addressed—whether through new approaches, novel application of existing tools, or rethinking of processes, engagement or insight.

    This might include (but is not limited to) the use of new resources such as AI and digital communications; pioneering outreach techniques; or novel formats for meetings, events, reporting and stakeholder engagement. The use of technology (including AI) should be clearly linked to a defined problem or opportunity and demonstrable outcomes.

    Entries should clearly demonstrate the impact of the innovation, whether measurable or anecdotal, showing how it has improved processes, perceptions or outcomes, and contributed to better IR practice.

    Entries focused on website or digital enhancements should demonstrate how these represent a broader innovation in IR strategy, engagement or outcomes, rather than standalone design or usability improvements.

    Examples could include but are not limited to:

    • Communications and media

    • Capital markets

    • Internal development and processes

    • Insight and intelligence

    • Technology

    See the Innovation Award criteria for more detail on these examples and the Judging criteria.

    Best Corporate Website

    A company’s website should be the definitive source of information for investors and this Award will honour those companies which go the extra mile in meeting the many different needs of the global financial community and broader stakeholder audiences (including regulators, media, employees and other partners).

    The design, usability, functionality, accessibility (for both human and AI-based SEO tools) and above all else, the content of the website and related materials will be the main areas of focus for the judges. They will assess how well the company uses the digital medium to communicate:

    • The market dynamics and drivers of the main industries in which it operates
    • A clear equity story
    • Strategy and KPIs
    • Purpose/vision, and values
    • Approach to ESG
    • Financial and operational performance, including financial calendar reporting
    • Any additional information provided which enhances an investor/analyst’s understanding of the company, its performance and future prospects

    Best Annual Report

    Best practice annual reports clearly articulate how the business differentiates itself and provide a ‘shop window’ into the company and its culture. Best-in-class annual reports tell a holistic story that demonstrates the business model and strategy – what the company does and how it does it – whilst evidencing the strength of the leadership team, governance of the business and broader social purpose. Best practice considerations include:

    • A forward looking, engaging, concise and entity-specific report
    • A compelling front section that lands the equity story early on, recognising that some readers will not read beyond the opening pages
    • Connectivity and consistency of information providing a holistic view of the business
    • Clear links between sustainability, strategy, KPIs, risk and remuneration
    • Evidence that the report has actively sought to reduce or maintain length and eliminate boilerplate, with disclosures that are concise, entity-specific and free from generic or duplicated content
    • An equity story that explains the growth drivers that promote long-term value
    • Guides the reader to further information within the company’s wider reporting suite, including links to the corporate website.

    Best IR Programme – Private Companies

    Capital markets are broadening their architecture to better align with the needs of private companies as they scale and compete for long-term institutional capital, while remaining private for longer.

    Evidence of the private company’s effective and timely communication and engagement with investors or other stakeholders which constitute an effective IR programme that both reflects and supports the company’s purpose, vision and strategy.

    The IR or communications programme should include and be supported by the following elements:

    • A consistent and compelling equity story, underpinned by a clear and realistic strategic plan, communicated regularly and transparently to existing investors.
    • To the degree relevant to the business, a sustainability strategy that is integrated in the company’s long-term value proposition and is communicated to investors and wider stakeholders.
    • Timely reporting, as aligned with investor expectations, that clearly explains your business and communicates how management is delivering against its strategic objectives, including any challenges faced as well as successes during the year.
    • A corporate website that conveys a clear, substantive and timely picture of the company including wider material disclosure related to the company’s long-term value in society, supported by consistent communications across all digital channels.

    Best IR Programme – Listed Companies

    Evidence of effective implementation of an IR communications and engagement programme, that both reflects and supports the company’s purpose, vision and strategy.

    The IR strategy and programme should include and be supported by the following elements, demonstrating progress over time:

    Equity story and strategy

    • A consistent and compelling equity story, underpinned by a clear and realistic strategic plan that is aligned to the group’s internal policies.
    • Transparent communication of the company’s financial performance and outlook, including any significant challenges or changes in strategy.

    Disclosure and reporting

    • Regular, consistent and transparent financial and non-financial disclosure of the company’s performance against its strategy and milestones.
    • Integration of ESG and sustainability reporting into the broader IR disclosure in a material and consistent manner.

    Investor and analyst engagement

    • Regular, proactive and transparent engagement with equity analysts to inform a fair company assessment and consensus.
    • A structured IR engagement and outreach strategy with existing and new, institutional and retail investors, including roadshows and other thematic events, such as investor days/CMDs, site visits, and teach-ins.
    • Evidence of C-Suite accessibility and Board level engagement with the investment community.

    Website and digital communications

    Articulate how the IR website conveys a clear, substantive and timely picture of the company and serves as an interactive platform for delivery of its financial and wider material disclosure related to the company’s long-term value in society.

    • Ease of navigation with clearly laid out investment case narrative as well as access to core disclosure documents, up to date financial calendar and access to events

    Use of digital tools and technology (including webcasts and potentially other video content) to communicate the investment case and progress against strategy.

    To view the complete criteria and entry forms for each of the Self-entry Awards please visit: www.irsocietyawards.org.uk

  • What should I consider for Best Innovation in IR award?

    With this self-entry category, the Society is seeking examples of innovation and/or transformation over the past 12 months. Innovation should represent a meaningful enhancement or step-change in how IR challenges are addressed—whether through new approaches, novel application of existing tools, or rethinking of processes, engagement or insight. This might include (but is not limited to) the use of new resources such as AI and digital communications; pioneering outreach techniques; or novel formats for meetings, events, reporting and stakeholder engagement.

  • What is the Best Investor Engagement award?

    This is under the Voted Awards and addresses the importance of the target audience that IR seeks to engage. This award will be decided by the greatest number of votes by company IROs for an investor/buy-side firm that the IR community believes represents the best in investor engagement with companies. The process for nominations follows the same timeline as other Voted Awards.

  • Where can I find out more information about the awards and past winners?

    On the Investor Relations Society website, members can access Best Practice Guidelines. On the Awards website, you can view the 2025 award winners, judging panel and the key highlights video.

    For more information on this year’s Best Practice awards, please do not hesitate to contact the team at the Society, or the Best Practice Committee.

  • What are the timings for the Awards evening?

    17:30 Drinks reception

    19:00 Gala dinner

    21:20 Awards presentation

    22:30 Entertainment and cash bar

    00:30 Carriages

    Please note: these timings may be subject to slight alteration.

  • Any other enquiries?

    Please get in touch with the team at The Investor Relations Society:

    Matt Hall, CEO: matt.hall@irsociety.org.uk
    Liz Cole, Head of Policy and Communications: liz.cole@irsociety.org.uk
    Anneka Finnane, Events Manager: anneka.finnane@irsociety.org.uk

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