Surprise news comes as association prepares to launch IR certification
In a surprise move, NIRI has announced that its president and CEO of seven years Jeff Morgan will step down to take up an opportunity at another association.
Only last month, during NIRI’s annual conference, Morgan said he would remain in his role at the US organization for another three years. But in a statement on NIRI’s website released today, the world’s biggest IR association says Morgan will leave his position on October 12.
Jeff Morgan speaking to IR Magazine at NIRI's 2014 annual conference in June
Current NIRI chairman John Chevalier pays tribute to Morgan in the statement. ‘Jeff has been an invaluable leader and has contributed greatly to NIRI’s success since he joined the NIRI staff in 2007,’ says Chevalier, who is director of global IR at Procter & Gamble.
‘He has been instrumental in stabilizing the organization during and following the financial crisis and leading our strategic planning. He has brought NIRI into the digital age with social networking, electronic publications and apps, strengthened our voice at the regulatory table in Washington, DC and increased NIRI’s global awareness and membership.’
Chevalier also mentions the work Morgan has played in developing NIRI’s long-planned IR certification, which is expected to launch next year.
In the statement, Morgan says it was a ‘very difficult decision’ to leave NIRI. ‘While there is never a good time to leave, I believe the path forward for NIRI and investor relations is bright,’ he says.
‘Investor relations certification will be launched next year and a new strategic plan will be approved by the NIRI board shortly with a blueprint for the next three years, so I feel I am leaving at the right time to pursue a new professional challenge.’
NIRI says it will now begin a nationwide search for a new CEO. The search committee will be led by Chevalier and feature several members of NIRI’s national board.
