SquareBook is proud to host the first in a series of regular events focused on the IPO process and the ways in which it needs to evolve in order to remain fit for purpose in today's economy. Recognised by academics and policymakers worldwide as a vital component of economic growth, the IPO process is nevertheless attracting mounting criticism. Lack of innovation combined with inherent systemic weaknesses have led to concerns that the IPO process is harming both corporate growth and the relevance of regulated public markets.

This is an area where the UK FCA has been particularly active over the last few years and we are delighted to be joined by Mhairi Jackson, the FCA’s Manager of Wholesale Conduct and Markets Policy, who will be our keynote speaker.

This morning event will feature panel discussions with industry leaders drawn from banks, advisors, investors and founders of firms who have, or plan to, list on public markets. The panels will examine the effect of recent regulatory changes as well as consider additional ways the IPO process could be improved, both from the perspective of issuers and investors who are the end users of the market, and the intermediaries who keep the market functioning.

Panellists include senior representatives from Aquis Exchange, PwC, Ratesetter, London Stock Exchange, Substantive Research, Euro IRP, Schroders, Bridges Fund Management, EQ Investors, AFME, Climate Bonds, QCE and UN Principles for Responsible Investment.

We also take a deeper look at a specific issue of interest to the market: for this edition, our focus is "Profit and Purpose". We look at the growth of this movement and what it means to have Larry Fink shining a light on this space.

Please join us on Wednesday 1 May for an informative debate on the current and future state of the IPO process.

AGENDA

08:30 Registration & Refreshments

09.00 Welcome by Joe Sluys, CEO at SquareBook

09:10 Keynote Speaker - Mhairi Jackson, FCA Manager of Wholesale Conduct and Markets Policy

09:45 Panel 1 - Assessing the impact of recent regulatory changes on the UK IPO process

10:30 Break

10:50 Panel 2 - Does the IPO process meet the needs of the end users of the market, the issuers and investors?

11:40 Panel 3 - Profit & Purpose: the evolution of impact investing from a niche pursuit to a guiding principle

12:25 Conclusion & Networking

13:00 Close

The IPO process: can innovation and regulation reignite the market?