# The forecast gap in the close period “The forecast gap in the close period” is an investor relations manager job simulation on FinderK. You work at Thornbury Industrial plc, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 75 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice investor relations manager work. No previous work experience is required. - Role: Investor relations manager - Industry: Investor relations - Career: Finance and accounting (https://finderk.com/careers/finance-and-accounting) - Level: Mid-level - Time: About 75 minutes, 3 assignments - Access: Included in Plus - Created by: FinderK - Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Chat, Notes - Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/the-forecast-gap-in-the-close-period - Last updated: 2026-10-10 ## Summary The internal profit forecast has slipped below what analysts expect, and the company is in its close period. Work out whether the gap triggers the disclosure committee, answer an analyst and a big shareholder without signalling anything, and act fast when the share price moves for no reason. ## Full brief You are the investor relations manager of a listed engineering company. Two delayed contracts and a strong pound have cut the internal forecast. Eleven analysts publish forecasts, but two are stale and one is on a different basis, and treating them carelessly decides whether the disclosure committee must meet. An analyst wants a quick call about margins and a large shareholder wants to hear how the half is shaping up. Then the shares fall six percent on three times normal volume with no news, and a journalist calls. Automated checks confirm your figures and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role. ## What is Thornbury Industrial plc? Thornbury Industrial plc is a fictional listed maker of pumps and flow control systems with revenue of about 612 million pounds and eleven covering analysts. Its internal reforecast has fallen below what the market expects, during the close period before its Q3 trading update. This case runs from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 October 2026. The investor relations manager analyses and speaks to investors within the disclosure policy; the disclosure committee decides what is inside information and when to announce. ## Who do you play? You are the investor relations manager in the Finance team. You speak for Thornbury to investors and analysts within the disclosure policy and published information. You calculate consensus and recommend; the disclosure committee decides what is inside information and when to announce. You never confirm or deny forecasts, give unpublished information or hint at trading. Press questions go to communications; possible leaks go to Owain Pritchard at once. ## What will you do? 1. 1. Measure the gap to consensus (25 minutes) 2. 2. Answer the requests and brief the committee (25 minutes) 3. 3. Act on the price move and prepare the call (25 minutes) ## Which skills will you practice? - Calculate consensus by a defined method - Recognise when a forecast gap triggers disclosure governance - Decline investor requests in a close period without signalling - Spot signs of a leak and escalate at once - Prepare announcement questions and answers within published information ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does “The forecast gap in the close period” take? About 75 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock. ### Is “The forecast gap in the close period” free? No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading. ### Do I need investor relations manager experience? No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is mid-level. ### What do I get when I finish? You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation. ### Is Thornbury Industrial plc a real company? No. Thornbury Industrial plc is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.