Frederic Cornet is a specialist communicator in investor relations and financial communications, overseeing capital market teams in the Middle East and Africa. He provides support to issuers on prominent stock exchanges such as the Saudi Exchange, Nasdaq Dubai, London Stock Exchange (LSE), Euronext, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and various other African bourses.With a focus on advising executive teams and boards, Frederic Cornet possesses a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics across diverse territories. His extensive knowledge and experience play a crucial role in successfully positioning clients within capital markets. In an exclusive interview with Adgully Middle East, Frederic Cornet, Managing Partner and Head of Capital Markets, Middle East & Africa at Instinctif Partners, discusses his professional journey and highlights the progress that Instinctif Partners has made in the region over the last few years. Excerpts:Can you share insights into your professional journey this far?I have spent over 20 years in financial communications and investor relations on the agency side, servicing a broad range of mainly publicly traded clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Previously based in Johannesburg, I am now in Dubai, overseeing our capital markets teams across the Middle East and Africa.Instinctif Partners has a presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Could you provide details about your Middle East partners and any upcoming collaborations on the horizon?Our presence in the middle east goes back 15 years, and we’ve experienced exponential growth in the past few years in line with the region’s development and ambitious government-driven plans to diversify and expand their economies.Currently, our team comprises over 50 professionals based in Dubai and Riyadh, offering advisory services to clients in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries. In addition to investor relations and financial communications, we also offer corporate communications, crisis management, annual report production, ESG advisory and digital services.We are also opening an office in Abu Dhabi to reinforce our UAE presence and support our public policy ambitions. This is one of the key growth areas for us, and we have just welcomed a new partner to head that team. Other initiatives to reinforce our sustainability and digital offerings are also nearing completion.In your role as a market advisor, what communication strategies have you implemented in the Middle East, and how have they positively impacted your partners?The status of the region and the perceptions of it are shifting as countries become global influencers economically and diplomatically. In 2022 alone, companies in the Middle East raised nearly 30% of the total capital across global equity markets, including through over 40 IPOs. Saudi Arabia’s bourse is now one of the top 10 stock exchanges in the world, too.Against this backdrop, we are focused on supporting the major shifts taking place in the world of investor relations. Trust and transparency are vital, and we are helping companies rethink their engagement strategies to compete for attention, capital, and talent. It’s about delivering communications that exceed market expectations pre- and post-IPOs and support an optimal valuation for their shares.Importantly, because investor relations is still a relatively new discipline in the region, we also partner with industry bodies such as the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) and various stock exchanges to drive awareness and expand the adoption of best practices for investor relations in the region.Could you highlight a strategy that has been challenging yet well-received, causing you both concern and appreciation? Please share your experience.The accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial disclosures are continually improving, with a growing trend towards providing forward-looking guidance on future performance.This was previously non-existent, but as regulations evolve and international investors increase their investments in regional shares, a key challenge has been to help leadership teams take the leap and voluntarily provide guidance to the market on their future financial, operational and ESG performance.There is clear evidence that investors and analysts are not only appreciative but also tend to favour companies that provide these disclosures.How crucial is effective communication to the success or failure of a project in your perspective?Consistent, transparent and predictable communications are essential in shaping the perceptions and understanding around what a company is aiming to achieve.For us, this is the foundation to deliver evidence that help the investment community evaluate our clients’ overall performance, risk management practices, and commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices beyond financial metrics.In what ways have digital platforms and social media contributed to the development of the Middle East as a burgeoning business market? What are your predictions for their future impact?Online platforms have enhanced accessibility to information and supported entrepreneurship in the region by creating new opportunities for individuals and companies to expand their reach.From an investor relations perspective, it has enhanced transparency and engagements by making information more evenly available.Digital media will continue to play an important role in amplifying the reach of communications and remain the most effective way to interact with retail investors which is a very active stakeholder group in the region.Looking ahead five years, where do you envision yourself professionally, and do you have any aspirations on your career bucket list?The outlook for both the Middle East and Africa is exciting, and presents so much potential professionally. I look forward to continue growing talent and providing high-quality advisory to senior leadership teams across these two regions as they navigate the inevitable disruptions that will influence their businesses.
