{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Boardroom Path","title":"The QCA Mission: Driving Investment for Small and Mid-Cap UK Boards","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2035,"description":"Is the UK market finally ready for an IPO resurgence, and what must growth company boards do to prepare? Host Ralph Grayson welcomes James Ashton, Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA), a leading advocacy group for small and mid-sized quoted companies in the UK. James draws on his background in financial journalism and as a FTSE 250 Non-Executive Director to discuss the critical role of public equity in driving economic growth across the UK. They dive into the QCA’s mission to amplify members’ voices to regulators and government, their comprehensive governance guidance, and the new QCA Director Growth Programme, designed to equip directors with the skills needed to thrive in a fast-changing environment. With recent reports showing that businesses embedding AI into their operations are twice as likely to see value, James and Ralph also touch on emerging boardroom risks like AI, as well as the push for greater investment in UK equities through policy reform. This episode is essential listening for any current or aspiring board member operating in the UK growth company ecosystem.James Ashton: Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA), the organisation that champions the interests of the UK’s small and mid-sized publicly traded businesses and their advisors. James is a seasoned professional who was formerly the City Editor of the Sunday Times and Evening Standard and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director for the FTSE 250 investment trust, Finsbury Growth & Income. His expertise lies in advocating for market reform, boosting liquidity, and promoting the value of a public quote for growth.Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers....","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/G1uU7T2K5h04MQMPyxv_eCIOS7fQfv5ldjQOH6K6dHU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80MzQ1/YWYwZWI5NzIzMmIz/NzEyYWJiNTJhZGEy/NTUzOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}