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Barbara Spurrier, Founder and Partner – BKL
Barbara founded CFPro in 2014, building its reputation as a trusted partner to growing businesses with strategic goals. She joined BKL as a Partner in 2023 when CFPro became part of BKL.
With over 40 years’ experience in finance and accounting, Barbara is a highly regarded expert in fundraising, strategic planning, financial and cash management and systems implementation for ambitious businesses.
Across numerous sectors – including technology, financial services and consumer goods – business owners and boards have benefited from Barbara’s support in putting long-term strategic objectives into action.
Victoria Sugg – CEO and Partner – Emperor
Victoria has been CEO of Emperor since June 2022. With over two decades of experience in corporate communications, she has led business development and marketing to build reputations in both small boutique and large network agencies including Black Sun, SAS and MSLGROUP, part of Publicis Groupe.
Clara Melia, Founder and CEO – Equitory
Clara founded Equitory in 2016 as a consultancy specialised in providing outsourced investor relations services on a retained, interim and project basis. Equitory is now a large team of former senior in-house IR professionals, with a growing client base covering highly regarded UK and international companies. Clara is the host of Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast, and a regular commentator on trends and developments in IR. Prior to her consultancy work, Clara was Head of Investor Relations at ITV plc, a FTSE 100 commercial broadcaster, having previously worked in Investor Relations at Close Brothers Group plc, a FTSE 250 Financial Services Group. Clara is a Chartered Accountant and began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before moving into Corporate Broking for RBS Hoare Govett.
Marjella Lecourt-Alma, CEO and Co-Founder – Datamaran
Marjella Lecourt-Alma is the CEO and co-founder of Datamaran, the first AI-powered ESG platform to focus upstream of reporting, where critical business decisions are made. As a pioneer in applying AI to corporate governance, she has helped global leaders embed materiality, risk, and oversight into strategy, enabling boards and executives to anticipate change, stay ahead of stakeholder expectations, and deliver long-term value.
A globally recognized thought leader, Marjella has been featured in the Financial Times, New York Times, Bloomberg, The Economist, and CNBC’s Power Lunch. She commissioned and directed the award-winning documentary New Heroes of Sustainable Business, which premiered at Climate Week NYC 2023.
At 30, she became the youngest female Director at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), where she led the Services Department. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member and Ambassador for the Global Responsibility & Leadership program at Campus Fryslân, University of Groningen.
Jennifer Thain, UK Equity Primary Markets – Business Development Manager, LSEG – Moderator
Jenni is a Business Development Manager within the UK Equity Primary Markets team, where she partners with companies across the country to support their capital-raising efforts and drive business growth.
She works across both the UK equity and private markets teams, leading strategic initiatives, shaping key partnerships, and contributing to the development of market strategy.
Jennifer joined the Primary Markets team in March 2020, following her tenure in Group Communications. With a career at the exchange dating back to 2011, she brings extensive institutional knowledge and experience, having previously led the UK Events team and supported a wide range of group objectives.
Prior to joining the exchange, Jennifer lived in New York, where she worked for Thomson Reuters.
