Leadership Lesson with Tristan Peniston-Bird, Senior Partner for Corporate Affairs at Portland

Rachel L’Estrange, Senior Consultant at Hanson Search, sat down with Tristan Peniston-Bird, Senior Partner for Corporate Affairs at Portland, to reflect on how his early career during the Asian Economic Crisis shaped his approach to capital markets and corporate affairs. He shares pivotal moments that influenced his leadership style, offers insights into current market sentiment and explores how financial, political and corporate strategy are becoming increasingly interconnected in today’s landscape.  

Can you tell us about your journey into capital markets—what initially drew you to this field, and how did your career evolve to lead you to your current role? 

By sheer happenstance my first job was with one of Singapore’s top investment management firms, and a steep learning curve in the world of finance and investment – especially given my liberal arts degree.  This was during the Asian Economic Crisis, so it was a pretty wild time.  From there, I built a career with firms worldwide that blended corporate and financial communications, and investor relations in certain markets.  Early on, the need for financial and markets literacy was clear, so I undertook a Master of Applied Finance and Investment, ensuring I had both theoretical and practical foundations. 

Looking back, were there any pivotal moments or decisions that significantly shaped your approach to capital markets? 

 First, moving to London from Singapore, which introduced me to the City; Europe’s capital markets centre of gravity.  Not only did it immerse me in the London market, and nuances of ‘UK Plc’, but from the start I had the opportunity to work on listed clients and transactions across continental Europe’s largest markets. 

Second, was moving to New York, the US capital markets’ epicentre, where I had to learn US GAAP, ‘America, Inc.’  idiosyncrasies, the regulatory dynamics at Federal and State levels, and a different lens through which to view global finance.   Five years in the US were well spent for a career that’s since returned to the UK, with stints in the Middle East, and Europe. 

The US experience has proven indispensable, given the trend of UK and European companies seeking either an IPO or secondary listing on US stock exchanges, as well as the growing flows of private capital across the Atlantic. 

How would you describe the current sentiment in the capital markets, both in the UK and globally? What factors are driving investor confidence or caution right now? 

UK investors are more confident than a year ago, thanks to falling inflation and steadying interest rate policy.  However, they remain cautious due to sluggish growth and continued geopolitical risks worldwide.  And, while the FTSE 100 has seen a modest recovery in 2025, US markets (S&P 500, NASDAQ) have hit new highs, driven by strong tech earnings and optimism around AI and productivity gains.  European and Asian markets are mixed, however, and emerging markets are seeing only selective inflows. The key factors we’re tracking are inflation rate stabilisation, quality of corporate earnings, Central Bank interest rate signals, continued geopolitical tensions, government and corporate debt levels, and the persistent difficulties facing China’s economy. 

Have you had to pivot your team’s focus to respond to the market volatility over the past 12 months?

The market volatility has resulted in greater uncertainty in the Boardroom and C-suite.  Over the past year, we’ve been working with more clients, more often, on understanding the threats and opportunities to their businesses – whether from growing geopolitical tensions, or the unpredictability in Western governments’ policies.  Traditionally, these aren’t first-order concerns in the realm of financial communications, however they are now, and we’re seeing a greater coherence of financial and corporate communications with political, regulatory and legislative strategy – all under the guise of Corporate Affairs. 

Where do you see the most compelling opportunities over the next 12–24 months, and what risks should investors be especially mindful of?  

We see the most compelling opportunities in AI and advanced technologies, especially in sectors including defence, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.  Green energy and climate transition are likewise attractive, amid Government incentives and rising corporate sustainability priorities, despite the earlier market backlash and de-prioritisation by issuers.  Private markets continue to be compelling, especially in private credit, infrastructure, and select real assets, as public market valuations rise. Investors remain concerned about the recession risk across Europe and the UK, as well as a resurgence of inflation and interest rate hikes. Geopolitical risk also endures, notably any escalation in Ukraine, the Middle East, and in US-China relations.   

What advice would you give to someone looking to build a career in capital markets today, especially in a rapidly evolving financial landscape?  

First and foremost, you need to build deep financial literacy.  Credibility is key, and part of your role will be to explain complex financial concepts and interpret economic data for varied audiences.  At the same time, you need to hone your storytelling skills, for at the heart of ‘the numbers’ is a story.  We’re now in a multi domain environment, such that a mastery of digital communications is key, both in terms of channels and visualisation of complex financial data.  Similarly, fluency in leveraging AI is a key skill set – whether for research, monitoring, or content creation, the evolving capabilities are game-changing the speed and efficacy of effort.  Lastly, build capital markets stakeholder and media networks.  Strong relationships with journalists, analysts, and wider market participants are critical in your ability to understand perceptions and predict behaviours.  I still have the advice given to me by the CEO of a Nasdaq-listed client in 2006, during earnings preparation, of the importance of having “skin in the game” through networking.  He’s now the US Secretary of Commerce…

Whether you’re hiring top Financial Communications talent or considering your next career move, our team would be delighted to support you.

Rachel L’Estrange heads up the Global Corporate and Financial desk where she uses her sector knowledge to support teams gain industry talent across the USA, London and the UAE.

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search in communications, sustainability, financial communications, public affairs and policy, digital marketing and sales.