InspIR Group Taps Emerging Markets Equity Sales Veterans to Lead InspIR Connect, a New Model for Investor Access and Engagement

Barchart · 10/15 11:02

InspIR Group (“InspIR”), the leading cross-border strategic investor relations and sustainability consultancy for public and private companies, today announced the appointment of Jeff Tewlow as a Managing Director to lead InspIR Connect, a bespoke service that strategically matches companies from the global emerging markets with investors to improve the quality of their shareholder bases and increase market valuations. Jeff is joined by Mirella Villela, another veteran of Emerging Markets equity sales.

Monique Skruzny, InspIR Group’s CEO and Founder, said: “When asked how we could further add value for our clients, nine out of ten expressed a need for greater support in connecting with new investors, especially those with a longer-term focus. In recent IR surveys, investor engagement consistently ranked as one of the top IR-related concerns for Boards1, with attracting new capital being both the greatest challenge and the highest priority for IR teams.2

We also found that the many technology-based solutions available to IR teams often fall short in initiating, cultivating and sustaining meaningful investor relationships. That’s why we created InspIR Connect, a bespoke solution led by seasoned institutional equity sales executives. Our team provides independent advice, carefully curated investor introductions, and actionable follow-ups, effectively serving as an outsourced investor marketing arm for corporate clients. Additionally, clients benefit from the strategic narrative building expertise and coaching offered by InspIR Group.”

Monique continued, “Jeff and Mirella bring our clients deep relationships with Emerging Market investors across the U.S., Canada and Europe. They have an average of over 20 years of experience in equity sales, have executed more than 200 non-deal roadshows, and have helped raise approximately $35 billion in equity capital. Working exclusively on behalf of the corporate client, they serve as independent and principled advisors who are solely focused on introducing companies to institutional investors that will improve ownership composition and thus market valuation.”

Jeff Tewlow added, “Mirella and I speak with the Buyside daily, and given our long-standing relationships with institutional investors, we’re able to leverage our knowledge of their investment strategies, decision-making processes, and unique portfolio characteristics. This enables us to strategically match companies with investors that are aligned with their long-term growth strategies and goals.

We empower companies by providing them an end-to-end solution - efficient and impactful non-deal roadshows. Our starting point is a strategic analysis of the client’s shareholder base, followed by a review of their investor presentation, positioning and messaging. During roadshows, we provide management real-time feedback on their interactions with investors, and afterward, we gather substantive investor feedback to help clients calibrate their investor marketing and communications strategies. In recent discussions with pivotal decision-makers at over 30 prominent North American investment firms, representing over $15 trillion in AUM, they recognized our model as a mutually beneficial approach. With that in mind, we expect to expand our team quickly.”

Jeff joins InspIR Connect from Scotiabank, where he led Latin America Equity Sales. Throughout his career, Jeff has built winning teams at leading investment banks and developed top-ranked research franchises recognized by Institutional Investor. At Merrill Lynch (Bank of America), Jeff led Global LatAm Equity Sales and US EEMEA Sales, and at Lehman/Barclays he launched LatAm equity sales desks. Jeff holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Vassar College and an MBA in Finance from Columbia University. Mirella’s most recently covered institutional investors as a member of the Global Institutional Equity Sales team at Scotiabank in Toronto. Prior to Scotiabank, she was Vice President of Latin America Equity Sales at Santander in São Paulo, covering local institutional clients. Mirella has an MBA from York University in Toronto and a BA in Economics from Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

About InspIR Connect

InspIR Connect empowers Emerging Market companies to improve their shareholder base by strategically matching them with investors, leading to improved valuation. Leveraging deep relationships with North American institutional investors, InspIR Connect provides direct access to investors that are appropriate for the client company, fostering meaningful engagement and long-term partnerships.

About InspIR Group

InspIR is a leading strategic IR and Sustainability consultancy advising global- often high-growth- companies at all stages of development, from early stage through post-IPO. InspIR elevates and redefines the value of our clients’ equity and debt Investor Relations through strategic storytelling and counsel informed by deep experience, analytics, and research. InspIR practices include IR and Debt advisory, Investor Access through InspIR Connect, IPO preparation, ESG Advisory, Investor Day development and Perception research.

To learn more, please visit www.inspirgroup.com and follow the company’s news on LinkedIn.

1 15 Annual Global IR Survey (CDG)

2 5th Annual Global Issuer Pulse (Nasdaq)