Michael Macfarlane Associates is a leading advisor to global companies and investors seeking enhanced capital outcomes through the vector of reputation.
Our global capability is orientated around AI-ready reputation building and investor relations to support global outcomes for listed, privately-held and portfolio companies.
Capital Outcomes
Trust, intelligence and discretion mean that we do not share client stories. Our case studies are based on real outcomes achieved by members of our team, but are redacted to protect confidentiality.
01
Transaction Outcomes
Successful Pre-IPO Profile Building
The comprehensive laying of groundwork for a successful international IPO of an emerging market conglomerate, with strong equity story reference points provided for potential investors. Including the simultaneous provision of strong international media commentary for the launch of the founder’s private Foundation, which centred on providing a platform for growth for regional start-ups.
Building A Platform For Privatisation
The comprehensive global communications for an international airline to overcome public concern for its growth trajectory and the health of its balance sheet. Mitigating and counterbalancing adverse commentary by political actors seeking to undermine a privatisation process, with strong investor relations, third-party sector commentary and social media strategy to highlight the airline's growth prospects.
02
Investor Relations Outcomes
Reducing a Valuation Discount
The support of a FTSE 100 issuer was trading at a significant discount to peers, with an imbalanced share register that was not aligned with the company’s corporate strategy. A direct institutional marketing programme unearthed opportunities to rebalance the share register and decrease the issuer’s discount.
Broadening and Deepening a Share Register
The successfully growth and diversification of the share register of a CAC-40 European industrial player wishing to double its US share register. Including identification of a new set of institutional investors to target, with a simplified investment case and a set of operational and financial KPIs for a business previously seen as too specialised and complex for generalist investors. The client doubled its US share register.
Reducing Volatile Share Trading
The modulation of regular 10-15% share price swings for a multi-billion-euro industrial manufacturer, to overcome damaging perceptions that the issuer had become a trading story with no recognition for the merits of its growth-based investment case. A thorough analysis of the share register successfully identified the problem and a carefully crafted institutional marketing effort is reducing volatility.
A Successful Proxy Solicitation Initiative
The successful support of a financial services company to secure sufficient investor support to redeploy capital into an M&A strategy, against advice provided by proxy advisors to investors. Including targeting shareholders with a comprehensive outreach plan.
03
Public Company Outcomes
Launching A New Equity Story
The transformation of the perceptions of a sceptical investor base to gain support and share price recognition for a new growth-oriented strategic plan, culminating in a successful Capital Markets Day. Including the identification of which financial and operational KPIs impacted valuation most positively to sharpen disclosure for a bandwidth-starved buy-side audience.
Reducing A Valuation Discount
The creation and delivery of an institutional marketing programme to unearth opportunities to rebuild the share register and decrease the issuer's discount for a FTSE100 issuer who was trading at a significant discount to peers. Including solving an imbalanced share register that was not aligned with the company's strategy.
Resolving A Disclosure Problem
The resolution of a FTSE 250 issuer trading at a significant discount to its nearest peer despite operating in the same sub-sector with identical financial performance and the same long-term. financial and operational ambitions. Including identifying an issue with the make-up of the share register which revealed the market's preference for the peer's growth story. A perception study identified a key disclosure issue which forced investors to look more closely at their assessment.
04
Private Enterprise Outcomes
Launch Of A Transformational New Company
The launch of a next-generation longevity and preventive-health centre, supported by US$156 million investment by its UHNWI founder to build a 38,000-sq-ft flagship offering and roll out as a global chain and brand. The narrative positioned the opening as a landmark moment in the evolution of the US$8 trillion longevity economy.
The reputation strategy secured international media coverage across business, wellness and technology outlets, extending the story globally. The launch also triggered inbound approaches from political leaders worldwide, seeking to host future centres in their own cities on favourable terms—demonstrating the initiative’s global influence, commercial relevance and potential to reshape healthspan innovation.
05
Venture Capital Outcomes
Launch and reputation for a US$70m VC fund
The launch and global reputation management of a venture platform dedicated to extending the human healthspan by backing early- and growth-stage companies. The brand, narrative, and go-to-market were built around a clear thesis and a US$70 million fund commitment from a UHNWI that underwrites disciplined, mission-led investing.
Global coverage has been attained as the fund has deployed capital – appearing in leading international business and technology outlets – while spotlighting inaugural deals in travel, technology and longevity. Website content, portfolio storytelling, and ongoing news moments, including plans for a category-leading investment, continue to reinforce credibility and to drive deal-flow momentum.
Reputation for a US$200m AI Venture Studio
The re-launch and ongoing reputation management of a robotics-and-AI-focused venture studio anchored by a US$200 million commitment by a UHNWI, built to commercialize machine perception and applied science. Positioning emphasized responsible innovation, talent-first incubation and growth-stage backing from lab to market.
The brand architecture, editorial voice, and always-on earned-media engine continues to secure international coverage as investments land. The result is a differentiated investment platform that pairs humanitarian ambition with scalable technology, attracting top founders, partners, and global press while reinforcing credibility with every deployment of new capital.
Generating Deal Flow For A VC Firm
The international marketing of several new international funds for a VC firm seeking to enter into new international markets across the US, Europe and the Middle East. Track record proof points were provided and buzz was generated for a series of innovative new investment products. A social media platform was built through which direct interaction with potential LPs and fund allocators was successfully executed.