Mediatree continued its GCC engagement series in Abu Dhabi with an exclusive event focused on the science of ‘relational presence’ and its critical role in building trust and credibility within investor relations. Held on 18 June in partnership with Emperor, the Emperor Summer Social Event & Awards concentrated on the often-overlooked human dynamics that underpin effective communication and long-term stakeholder relationships.
Bringing together senior IROs from the capital’s leading institutions, the centrepiece of the evening was a presentation by Laurence Borde, Founder and Senior Coach at Mediatree. Laurence explored the neuroscience behind presence, trust, and emotional regulation, introducing key concepts such as interpersonal synchrony, affective presence, and the importance of nervous system regulation during high-stakes investor interactions.
“The technical expertise required in IR is non-negotiable, but the human connection is what transforms a good equity story into a trusted, long-term relationship,” noted Laurence Borde. “This session was designed to give IROs practical, science-backed tools to enhance their relational presence and build deeper credibility with investors.”
The event also featured special guest speaker Tatiana Volochkovich, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at ADNOC. Tatiana provided a valuable practitioner’s perspective on how these principles are applied within one of the region’s largest and most influential organisations, sharing insights on managing pressure, scaling relationships globally, and creating a stabilising emotional effect around leadership.
Following the discussions, the evening concluded by celebrating excellence in corporate reporting. Emperor presented its ADX-listed company awards, and Mediatree extends its warmest congratulations to Aldar Properties, Agthia, Borouge, e&, and ADNOC Drilling for their leadership in this area.
The strong engagement and positive feedback from both of the inaugural UAE events have reinforced Mediatree’s commitment to the region. The next stages of this series are actively being developed across the GCC, with further activities planned for the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the second half of 2026.
A video summarising the highlights and key takeaways from the Abu Dhabi event is available to watch on the Mediatree LinkedIn page.