Latest news with #IRO
National Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Q4 Revolutionizes Investor Relations with the Launch of Q, the First IRO Agent™
Article content Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Article content TORONTO — Q4, Inc., the leading provider of IR Ops software, today announced the launch of Q, a groundbreaking AI-powered extension of an investor relations officer's (IRO's) team. This innovative technology integrates seamlessly into the Q4 Platform, empowering investor relations (IR) professionals with real-time insights, intelligent automation and strategic guidance. Article content Meeting a major need Article content There is a paradigm shift in investor relations, and Q is at the core, transforming how IROs manage stakeholder relationships, analyze market data and execute strategic communications. By providing IROs with a secure, AI-powered partner, Q helps teams save significant time, uncover valuable insights and drive impact. Article content 'Q is a game-changer for the investor relations industry,' said Darrell Heaps, CEO of Q4. 'We've created a powerful tool that amplifies IROs' strategic thinking, accelerates decision-making, and enables them to focus on what matters most — building meaningful relationships with their stakeholders.' Article content Advanced capabilities of Q include: Article content Intelligent data analysis and insight: Q instantly analyzes complex financial data, ownership patterns and market trends, providing real-time stock performance monitoring and peer comparisons. This enables IROs to identify trends, anticipate risks and make data-driven decisions. User-configured agents: Q delivers tailored insights that IR teams need most, from tracking institutional investor moments to personalized targeting strategies. For instance, an agent can be set to monitor the company's top 20 stakeholders, instantly alerting IROs to significant changes, such as a 15% position increase by a large investor, and providing suggested talking points for timely outreach. By transforming hours of manual analysis into actionable intelligence, these agents empower IROs to focus on high-impact relationship building that drives superior investor outcomes. Real-time engagement analytics: Q tracks investor engagement automatically, minimizing manual data entry and providing comprehensive analytics across all touchpoints. This allows IROs to measure the effectiveness of their outreach efforts, identify areas for improvement, and refine their engagement strategies. Strategic communication support: Q assists with earnings call preparation, monitors news coverage and media sentiment in real time, and generates executive briefings and stakeholder updates. This enables IROs to craft compelling narratives, stay on top of market developments, and communicate effectively with their stakeholders. Chat: IR pros can ask complex questions like: 'Which investors have shown increased interest since our last earnings call?' and 'How do our ownership trends compare to peers over the last two quarters?' Q delivers instant, tailored answers: analyzing earnings scripts, reports, meeting notes and other uploaded documents, while also tapping into key engagement and market data. IR teams also benefit from built-in IR context, searchable chat history and enterprise-grade security. Article content By leveraging Q's capabilities, IR professionals can: Article content Reduce administrative burdens and accelerate response times through intelligent automation and real-time insights. Enhance strategic decision-making and improve stakeholder engagement through AI-powered analytics and personalized communications. Article content Q is designed to integrate seamlessly into the Q4 Platform, providing: Article content A cohesive and intuitive user experience with real-time insights and analytics across all stakeholders. Automated routine tasks and enhanced collaboration, enabling IROs to focus on high-value activities and drive premium valuations. Article content Q builds on Q4's proven AI capabilities, including earnings script assistance and peer event summaries. Its launch follows recent recognition for Q4's AI innovation — including three Stevie® Award wins in the American Business Awards®, with judges praising Q4 for delivering 'an impressive AI-driven solution that addresses the complexities of investor relations.' Article content To learn more about Q and the future of AI in IR, please visit Article content About Q4 Inc. Article content Q4 Inc. is the leading provider of IR Ops software with the world's largest set of proprietary investor data, purpose-built to remove obstacles between public companies and their investors. Q4 gives investor relations leaders, C-suite executives, and their teams the tools to attract, manage, and understand investors — all in one place. The AI-enabled Q4 Platform boasts applications for website and event management, engagement analytics, and overall lifecycle management, including AI Earnings Co-Pilot to generate draft scripts based on historical data, and AI earnings call summaries to understand peer sentiment. The Q4 Platform also includes a streamlined investor CRM and shareholder intelligence with enhanced metrics to elevate investor targeting strategies. Q4 delivers the data, insights, and workflows that give IR teams the power to focus on what really matters: strategy, relationships, and driving premium valuations for their companies. Article content Article content Article content Article content Media: Article content Article content
North Wales Chronicle
02-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Council failings led to incident which saw boy, 12, kill foster carer with car
Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on April 5 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Mrs Grant's death by dangerous driving, when a murder charge was dropped. On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Mrs Grant's death, saying the circumstances which led to the fatal incident 'were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care'. Ms Whittle said she would be writing a 'prevention of future deaths' report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete forms; and a shortage of placements, although she said this was a 'national issue' and not just to be directed at Rotherham. The inquest heard Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, largely because of the complexities Child Y presented to them. Ms Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture, but this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, making it 'deficient'. She said Mrs Grant's decision that she could provide Child X with a short term placement 'was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks' because of 'the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used'. The coroner said the Grants' social worker who was asked for his opinion on whether they were a suitable match for Child X, was not told about the boy claiming to have stabbed people or been involved in gangs, and 'would have categorically said that was not a match' if he had been. Ms Whittle found that 'had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family'. The inquest heard on April 4, Mrs Grant received a visit from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with her. The IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend the placement was extended as concerns were raised that Mrs Grant was keeping knives locked in another room, and the boy had told her he had stabbed someone, spat at the neighbour and had sex with 10 girls. Child X was removed from Mrs Grant's care on April 5, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services were not able to find an alternative placement. Shortly after he was returned to the Grants' home, he attempted to steal their car. Mrs Whittle said Mrs Grant was killed as she stood behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop him driving it away. After the inquest, Mrs Grant's son Shaun Grant said his mother 'deserved better' and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. Reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant, he said: 'We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant. 'What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care. 'It remains a source of deep sorrow and frustration that senior leadership within the council has consistently refused to acknowledge their own accountability despite being fully aware of the risk history of Child X and our mum's own needs as a foster carer. 'They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum's death.' He went on to say: 'We wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death. 'However, whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed. 'If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today. 'Our mum was dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, she did so with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of duty. 'Yet when it mattered the most, the same system she gave so much for, did not protect her in return.' Rotherham Council's strategic director for Children and Young People's Services, Nicola Curley, said: 'We want to begin by offering our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of Marcia Grant. The pain and distress they have experienced is immeasurable, and we are truly sorry for their loss and everything they have been through. 'Marcia was a much-loved and highly respected foster carer, and a central figure within Rotherham's fostering community. Her family have spoken of her devotion as a wife and mother – qualities that were equally evident in the care and compassion she gave to some of our borough's most vulnerable children. 'She made a lasting difference to the lives of many, and she remains deeply valued and greatly missed by all who knew her. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to her friends, and the fostering community who held her in such high regard. 'We recognise the seriousness of the coroner's findings, and we will now take time to reflect fully on the outcome of the inquest and consider all appropriate next steps.'
Rhyl Journal
02-07-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Council failings led to incident which saw boy, 12, kill foster carer with car
Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on April 5 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Mrs Grant's death by dangerous driving, when a murder charge was dropped. On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Mrs Grant's death, saying the circumstances which led to the fatal incident 'were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care'. Ms Whittle said she would be writing a 'prevention of future deaths' report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete forms; and a shortage of placements, although she said this was a 'national issue' and not just to be directed at Rotherham. The inquest heard Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, largely because of the complexities Child Y presented to them. Ms Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture, but this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, making it 'deficient'. She said Mrs Grant's decision that she could provide Child X with a short term placement 'was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks' because of 'the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used'. The coroner said the Grants' social worker who was asked for his opinion on whether they were a suitable match for Child X, was not told about the boy claiming to have stabbed people or been involved in gangs, and 'would have categorically said that was not a match' if he had been. Ms Whittle found that 'had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family'. The inquest heard on April 4, Mrs Grant received a visit from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with her. The IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend the placement was extended as concerns were raised that Mrs Grant was keeping knives locked in another room, and the boy had told her he had stabbed someone, spat at the neighbour and had sex with 10 girls. Child X was removed from Mrs Grant's care on April 5, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services were not able to find an alternative placement. Shortly after he was returned to the Grants' home, he attempted to steal their car. Mrs Whittle said Mrs Grant was killed as she stood behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop him driving it away. After the inquest, Mrs Grant's son Shaun Grant said his mother 'deserved better' and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. Reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant, he said: 'We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant. 'What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care. 'It remains a source of deep sorrow and frustration that senior leadership within the council has consistently refused to acknowledge their own accountability despite being fully aware of the risk history of Child X and our mum's own needs as a foster carer. 'They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum's death.' He went on to say: 'We wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death. 'However, whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed. 'If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today. 'Our mum was dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, she did so with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of duty. 'Yet when it mattered the most, the same system she gave so much for, did not protect her in return.' Rotherham Council's strategic director for Children and Young People's Services, Nicola Curley, said: 'We want to begin by offering our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of Marcia Grant. The pain and distress they have experienced is immeasurable, and we are truly sorry for their loss and everything they have been through. 'Marcia was a much-loved and highly respected foster carer, and a central figure within Rotherham's fostering community. Her family have spoken of her devotion as a wife and mother – qualities that were equally evident in the care and compassion she gave to some of our borough's most vulnerable children. 'She made a lasting difference to the lives of many, and she remains deeply valued and greatly missed by all who knew her. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to her friends, and the fostering community who held her in such high regard. 'We recognise the seriousness of the coroner's findings, and we will now take time to reflect fully on the outcome of the inquest and consider all appropriate next steps.'
Leader Live
02-07-2025
- Leader Live
Council failings led to incident which saw boy, 12, kill foster carer with car
Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on April 5 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Mrs Grant's death by dangerous driving, when a murder charge was dropped. On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Mrs Grant's death, saying the circumstances which led to the fatal incident 'were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care'. Ms Whittle said she would be writing a 'prevention of future deaths' report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete forms; and a shortage of placements, although she said this was a 'national issue' and not just to be directed at Rotherham. The inquest heard Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, largely because of the complexities Child Y presented to them. Ms Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture, but this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, making it 'deficient'. She said Mrs Grant's decision that she could provide Child X with a short term placement 'was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks' because of 'the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used'. The coroner said the Grants' social worker who was asked for his opinion on whether they were a suitable match for Child X, was not told about the boy claiming to have stabbed people or been involved in gangs, and 'would have categorically said that was not a match' if he had been. Ms Whittle found that 'had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family'. The inquest heard on April 4, Mrs Grant received a visit from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with her. The IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend the placement was extended as concerns were raised that Mrs Grant was keeping knives locked in another room, and the boy had told her he had stabbed someone, spat at the neighbour and had sex with 10 girls. Child X was removed from Mrs Grant's care on April 5, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services were not able to find an alternative placement. Shortly after he was returned to the Grants' home, he attempted to steal their car. Mrs Whittle said Mrs Grant was killed as she stood behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop him driving it away. After the inquest, Mrs Grant's son Shaun Grant said his mother 'deserved better' and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. Reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant, he said: 'We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant. 'What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care. 'It remains a source of deep sorrow and frustration that senior leadership within the council has consistently refused to acknowledge their own accountability despite being fully aware of the risk history of Child X and our mum's own needs as a foster carer. 'They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum's death.' He went on to say: 'We wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death. 'However, whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed. 'If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today. 'Our mum was dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, she did so with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of duty. 'Yet when it mattered the most, the same system she gave so much for, did not protect her in return.'
South Wales Guardian
02-07-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Council failings led to incident which saw boy, 12, kill foster carer with car
Marcia Grant, 60, had been working as a foster carer for seven years when she suffered catastrophic injuries as she tried to stop the boy taking her car outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on April 5 2023. The boy, referred to as Child X, was sentenced to two years in custody in November 2023 after admitting causing Mrs Grant's death by dangerous driving, when a murder charge was dropped. On Tuesday, South Yorkshire coroner Marilyn Whittle recorded a narrative conclusion after an inquest into Mrs Grant's death, saying the circumstances which led to the fatal incident 'were contributed to by the failings of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have appropriate systems and processes in place when placing foster children, including but not limited to the lack of accurate and complete documentation, failure to communicate risks and concerns appropriately, failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments and failing to safeguard those in their care'. Ms Whittle said she would be writing a 'prevention of future deaths' report addressing issues including the council's lack of documentation and failure to complete forms; and a shortage of placements, although she said this was a 'national issue' and not just to be directed at Rotherham. The inquest heard Mrs Grant and her husband Delroy were experienced foster carers who were highly regarded by the council's fostering team. They were caring for another child, referred to as Child Y, when a call went out to all Rotherham's foster carers for an emergency placement for Child X on March 30 2023. The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Grant volunteered to take him, despite them being categorised as only able to take in one child at a time, largely because of the complexities Child Y presented to them. Ms Whittle said that Child X had a youth caution for possessing a knife and had at times talked about wanting to be part of gang culture, but this information was not included on the initial placement referral form, making it 'deficient'. She said Mrs Grant's decision that she could provide Child X with a short term placement 'was made without her full knowledge of Child X's risks' because of 'the failings of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to have in place systems and processes to ensure full details are included and up to date forms were used'. The coroner said the Grants' social worker who was asked for his opinion on whether they were a suitable match for Child X, was not told about the boy claiming to have stabbed people or been involved in gangs, and 'would have categorically said that was not a match' if he had been. Ms Whittle found that 'had the proper process been undertaken, Child X would not have been placed with the Grant family'. The inquest heard on April 4, Mrs Grant received a visit from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who discussed the placement with her. The IRO said after the meeting they would not recommend the placement was extended as concerns were raised that Mrs Grant was keeping knives locked in another room, and the boy had told her he had stabbed someone, spat at the neighbour and had sex with 10 girls. Child X was removed from Mrs Grant's care on April 5, but she was asked to keep him on for a longer placement because social services were not able to find an alternative placement. Shortly after he was returned to the Grants' home, he attempted to steal their car. Mrs Whittle said Mrs Grant was killed as she stood behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop him driving it away. After the inquest, Mrs Grant's son Shaun Grant said his mother 'deserved better' and would not have taken Child X if she had known his full history. Reading a statement alongside his sister Gemma Grant, he said: 'We have been on an agonising journey to uncover the truth behind the events and systemic failings that led to the death of our beloved mum, Marcia Grant. 'What has become evident over the last few weeks leaves us with no doubt that our mum was failed, our family was failed, and so too the foster child that was in our long-term care. 'It remains a source of deep sorrow and frustration that senior leadership within the council has consistently refused to acknowledge their own accountability despite being fully aware of the risk history of Child X and our mum's own needs as a foster carer. 'They chose to look away, take no responsibility and to make no meaningful change for carers after our mum's death.' He went on to say: 'We wholly welcome the coroner's findings that our mum was failed on numerous fronts and that these failures directly contributed to her death. 'However, whilst this leaves us with a sense of vindication, it also serves to reinforce to us how badly she was failed. 'If not for these failures, our mum would still be with us here today. 'Our mum was dedicated to protecting vulnerable people, she did so with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of duty. 'Yet when it mattered the most, the same system she gave so much for, did not protect her in return.'
