March 26, 2025

How Do You Get Into Investor Relations

Navigating a Career in Investor Relations: Insights and Future Trends

In this episode, Peter delves into the intricacies of starting and advancing a career in Investor Relations (IR). He explains the historical rotation model and how IR has evolved into a dedicated career path. 

Peter highlights the various backgrounds IR professionals come from, such as accounting, corporate finance, communications, and the buy and sell sides of the financial world. He discusses how IR roles often expand to include other functions like ESG, corporate communications, FP&A, treasury, corporate strategy, and corporate development. 

Despite these expansions, a significant portion of professionals still focus solely on IR to meet organizational and investor needs.

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a registered investment banking representative and a licensed real estate broker. The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice. All views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, organization, or employer. Listeners are encouraged to consult their own compliance teams, legal counsel, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

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Peter W. McDermott Profile Photo

Peter W. McDermott

Senior Client Partner, Global Corporate Affairs and IR, Head of Corporate Affairs Practice NA

Based in New York City, Peter McDermott is Senior Client Partner, Global Corporate Affairs and IR, and Head of the Corporate Affairs Practice for North America, for Korn Ferry.

A seasoned corporate affairs search consultant, with both US and European experience, Mr. McDermott has an impressive international track record placing senior-level corporate communications, IR, financial communications, corporate and public affairs, and brand PR talent, across a wide spectrum of clients.

Mr. McDermott joined Korn Ferry from a global boutique firm specialized in the communications and IR functions, where he held leadership positions in both their London and New York offices. Mr. McDermott also spent time in the APAC region doing both candidate and business development. Previously, Mr. McDermott was with a global executive search firm, where he supported diverse financial services practices through research, candidate identification and outreach.

He began his career as an intern with Bloomberg LP.

Mr. McDermott is active in several of the professional organizations that are connected with the top functional leaders; He serves on the board of the National Investor Relations Institute, New York; and is part of the team that sponsors the Korn Ferry/NIRI Study of the function. He is also Vice Chair, on the Operating Committee and co-Chair of the Membership Committee of Page Up, part of the Arthur W. Page Society, and on the Board of The LAGRANT Foundation, which promotes diversity in the field of advertising, marketing, and public relations. He is als… Read More