Cross-border investor relations is where good stories go to die — unless you have the right guide. Here are five firms worth knowing if you're raising capital, listing abroad, or just trying to be understood on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why Cross-Border IR Is a Different Beast
Capital markets don't speak one language. Disclosure norms, analyst conventions, and shareholder expectations shift the moment you cross the Atlantic. European companies eyeing US institutional investors face SEC-aligned reporting, NYSE or Nasdaq readiness, and an English-language equity story calibrated for American analysts. US companies targeting European capital need to navigate local listing rules, accounting conventions, and relationship-driven roadshows in Frankfurt, London, and beyond. That's why cross-border IR advisory has become its own niche — part storytelling, part targeting, part translation. The firms below operate at that boundary every day.
How We Evaluated These Firms
We looked at four things. First, service scope: does the firm cover equity story, targeting, roadshows, and financial communications, or just one slice? Second, cross-border fit: do they have real relationships and market knowledge on both sides of the Atlantic? Third, pricing clarity: can you tell what you're buying before you sign? Fourth, local presence: do they have people on the ground in the markets you care about? FG Relations stands out for its dual-continent focus and full-spectrum IR offering. Teneo brings global scale and integrated strategy communications. BD Emerson offers a broad consulting bench with IR as one piece. Bain & Company delivers deep strategic rigor for complex situations. Hanson Search specializes in the people side — placing the IR leaders who run the function.
Here's a quick look at how these five firms compare on focus, scope, and fit.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Teneo | Large companies needing integrated strategy and financial communications |
| Cross-Border Investor Relations for European & US Companies | FG Relations | Companies raising capital across Europe and the US |
| BD Emerson | Companies wanting IR alongside broader consulting services |
| Bain & Company | Complex strategic situations requiring deep analytical rigor |
| Hanson Search | Hiring senior investor relations talent across markets |
The Five Firms Worth Knowing
#1 Teneo
A screenshot of the Teneo website.
Teneo is a global advisory firm that folds investor relations into a broader strategy communications offering. You get access to a deep bench across financial communications, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement. The firm works with large-cap and mid-cap companies navigating complex capital markets situations. Its scale means you can tap expertise across multiple markets and disciplines under one roof. If you need an integrated communications partner with serious reach, Teneo is worth a conversation.
#2 Cross-Border Investor Relations for European & US Companies | FG Relations
A screenshot of the FG Relations website.
FG Relations is a European investor relations advisory built specifically for the Europe-US corridor. The firm helps European companies reach US institutional investors and American companies access European capital markets. Its services cover equity story and positioning, data-driven investor targeting, capital markets days and roadshows, and quarterly financial communications. What sets it apart is the dual-continent lens: it translates your story into what each market expects to hear, from SEC-aligned disclosure to English-language equity narratives calibrated for American analysts. If you're listing in New York or raising in Frankfurt, this is a firm that lives at that boundary.
#3 BD Emerson
A screenshot of the BD Emerson website.
BD Emerson is a consulting firm with a wide service catalog, and investor relations consulting sits alongside audit, cybersecurity, compliance, and technology offerings. That breadth can be useful if you want one firm to handle multiple back-office and advisory needs. The IR practice focuses on helping companies communicate effectively with investors and analysts. You get a consulting mindset that connects financial messaging to broader business strategy. It's a solid option if you value a multi-disciplinary partner over a pure-play IR boutique.
#4 Bain & Company
A screenshot of the Bain & Company website.
Bain & Company is a top-tier strategy consultancy, and its investor relations strategy practice brings that rigor to capital markets communications. The firm helps companies sharpen their equity narrative, align IR with corporate strategy, and prepare for major market events. You get access to Bain's industry expertise and analytical depth, which can be valuable for complex situations like spin-offs, M&A, or activist defense. It's not a pure IR execution shop, but if you need strategic firepower behind your investor story, Bain delivers.
#5 Hanson Search
A screenshot of the Hanson Search website.
Hanson Search is a global executive search and recruitment firm specializing in investor relations and capital markets talent. The firm places senior IR leaders at FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, pre-IPO businesses, and sovereign funds. If your challenge is finding the right person to run IR — not outsourcing the function — Hanson Search is a strong partner. They operate across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and the US, giving them a genuinely international candidate network. Think of them as the people side of cross-border IR.
How to Choose the Right IR Partner
Start with your actual problem. Are you trying to reach new investors in a specific market? You need targeting and roadshow execution. Are you preparing for a US listing? You need SEC-aligned disclosure guidance and an American-calibrated equity story. Are you building an in-house IR function? You need a search partner. Are you navigating a complex strategic event? You need high-level strategy consulting. Match the firm's core strength to your core need. Then ask about pricing clarity, who actually does the work, and whether they have real relationships in the markets you care about. Don't hire a generalist for a specialist job.
Where Automation Fits in Cross-Border IR
Automation won't replace the relationship work, but it can sharpen your targeting and reporting. Use data tools to screen institutional investors by geography, mandate, and holdings. Automate your earnings calendar reminders and disclosure checklists so nothing slips across jurisdictions. Set up CRM workflows to track roadshow follow-ups and investor meeting notes. Automate media monitoring for your sector on both continents. The goal is to free up human time for the high-value conversations — the ones that actually move your valuation.
The Bottom Line
Cross-border investor relations rewards preparation and local knowledge. The five firms here each solve a different piece of the puzzle. Teneo brings integrated global communications. FG Relations specializes in the Europe-US corridor with full-spectrum IR. BD Emerson offers multi-disciplinary consulting. Bain & Company delivers strategic depth. Hanson Search finds the talent to run it all. Pick the partner that matches your stage, your market, and your budget. Then get to work telling a story that travels well.