EUROPEANCHAPTER

FRANCE

NETWORKING EVENTS

CHAPTER TEAM:

Agnes Charpenet, Baker McKenzie (Chapter Leader)

Jean-Michel Candela, Banque Transatlantique
Colin Bernier, EY
Etienne Pujol, Berry Law
Jérome Laurre, Beyond Solutions

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

Amelie Desrochers, Deloitte

CONTACT THE CHAPTER TEAM

WELCOME TO THE FRANCE CHAPTER

This local chapter community is dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources to help members develop their skills, expand their networks, and make a positive impact in their communities. You will have access to a wide range of valuable resources and opportunities including educational sessions and networking events.

FOLLOW THE FRANCE CHAPTER ON LINKEDIN

IN-PERSON REGIONAL EVENT

12 November 2026, 9am - 5pm GMT

PAN EUROPEAN REGIONAL EVENT

12 November 2026

All plan types

UK and Channel Islands

SAVE THE DATE FOR 12 NOVEMBER 2026 - Stay tuned for updates!

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

22 April 2026, 7 - 11:59pm CDT

25TH GEO AWARDS

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types

Global

ATTEND THE 25TH GEO AWARDS GALA

Join the global share plan community in Austin, Texas on 22 April 2026 as we celebrate the 25th GEO Awards.

This milestone event will take place in the Lone Star Ballroom of the JW Marriott Austin, where we will honor the most innovative and impactful share plan and executive compensation strategies from around the world.

The celebration continues with an exclusive after party at The Edge rooftop, offering spectacular views and the perfect setting to connect with peers and friends across the GEO community.

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

MORE INFORMATION

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

21 April 2026, 7am - 23 April 2026, 5pm CDT

GEO'S 27TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types

Global

JOIN THE GLOBAL SHARE PLAN COMMUNITY AT GEO'S 27TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

On 21 - 23 April 2026 more than 350+ global share plan and executive compensation professionals, company directors, senior managers, stock plan, HR, reward and benefits professionals will fill the halls at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas.

Our flagship conference is where the best equity minds meet. It brings together academics, thought leaders, stock plan experts and policy makers from across the globe to explore best practice in equity compensation and work together to drive a vision for future employee share ownership.

Unlock a world of possibilities – igniting inspiration regardless of your experience!

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

MORE INFORMATION

ARTICLE

4 March 2026

AVOIDING COSTLY EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION MISTAKES: A STRATEGIC GUIDE

Pave

Executive pay

Executive plans

Global

How can boards identify executive compensation mistakes? Learn the most common errors in C-suite pay that cost companies millions and how automated platforms prevent them.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

3 March 2026

IS A 4-YEAR VESTING SCHEDULE STILL STANDARD?

Pave

Trending now

Stock options

Global

Is a 4-year vesting schedule still standard? At private companies, yes. But public company grant durations have declined steadily since 2020.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

26 February 2026

SAVE AS YOU EARN (SAYE): WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR 2026

JP Morgan Workplace Solutions

General

Save as you earn (SAYE)

UK and Channel Islands

The state of play with SAYE for 2026.

READ ARTICLE

LIVE WEBCAST

17 February 2026, 1 - 2pm EST

FROM ADMINISTRATOR TO ADVISOR: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE EQUITY LEADER

Sponsored by insightsoftware

Trending now

All plan types

Global

ASIA-PAC: 17 February- 8am HKT I 11am AEDT I 3:30pm IST (India)
EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST: 17 February - 10am or 6pm GMT | 11am or 7pm CET | 12pm IST (Israel)
THE AMERICAS: 16 February - 4pm PT | 7pm ET or 17 February - 10am PT | 12pm CT | 1pm ET

The role of the equity professional is rapidly transforming. Once viewed primarily as plan administrators and reactive problem solvers, today’s equity leaders are stepping into far more strategic positions—serving as trusted advisors, cross-functional connectors, and educators across the enterprise. As companies place greater emphasis on talent strategy, retention, and long-term value creation, equity leaders are increasingly influencing conversations at the highest levels of the business.

In this session, speakers will explore how equity professionals can move beyond execution and into a more proactive, advisory role—guiding executives on strategic decisions, anticipating challenges, and translating complex equity concepts into clear, business-relevant insights. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on how to elevate their influence, build enterprise-wide equity literacy, and position equity as a critical driver of informed decision-making across all levels of the company.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Understand how the equity leader role is evolving from administrator to strategic advisor, coordinator, and educator
Learn practical ways to drive cross-functional collaboration and increase equity literacy among executives and key stakeholders
Identify strategies to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive guidance that supports better decisions and stronger company outcomes

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.0 credits *CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only.

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST

Members: Free access — Live and on-demand
Non-members: $85 per webcast — Live and on-demand

Unlock unlimited access! Join GEO from just $350/year and watch every webcast free—live or on-demand plus more member perks!

WATCH THE WEBCAST

ARTICLE

1 November 2025

UNLOCKING HIDDEN VALUE WITHIN YOUR ESOP PROGRAM

Sprintax Dividends

Design and strategy

Stock options

Global

Employee Stock Ownership Plans and other forms of equity compensation have become essential tools for attracting, retaining, and aligning top talent. Once limited to senior executives, these programs are now widely used across job levels and geographies, reflecting a broader shift toward long-term incentives and ownership driven culture.

But for all the attention paid to plan design, grant size, and vesting schedules, a critical part of the employee experience often goes unnoticed: dividend income, and more specifically, how much of it is silently lost to Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT).

In this whitepaper, you’ll explore:
• What DWT is and why it’s often overlooked in ESOP administration
• How recovery works and what’s legally reclaimable
• The strategic upside of integrating DWT recovery into your total rewards model
• Practical implementation options that minimize administrative burden
• A powerful DWT reclaim impact study, demonstrating the scale of opportunity

CONTRIBUTED BY SPRINTAX DIVIDENDS

Online Content Disclaimer

ARTICLE

11 February 2026

LEGAL EXPERT WARNS STARTUPS ARE STILL MISHANDLING EMI SCHEMES

Newsby Wire

UK and Channel Islands

Startups in England and Wales must carefully manage Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) schemes to preserve valuable tax relief, as common mistakes around share classes, compliance, and leaver provisions can permanently undermine benefits. Founders often misuse ordinary shares, misunderstand vesting versus exercise, and fail to maintain alignment with company articles or investor agreements, creating legal and financial risks. With EMI thresholds changing in April 2026, startups should review their schemes, ensure proper reporting, and adopt clear processes to protect employees’ equity and maximize long-term benefits.

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CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

GEO members in your area can come together to engage in meaningful discussions, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with fellow members who share similar interests via GEOconnect. Whether you're a long-time member or a newcomer, we encourage you to participate and contribute to the vibrant discussions happening here.

VIEW CHAPTER Discussion BOARD

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Access details of past local events and their materials. Whether you missed an event or want to revisit the content, our community discussion board provides a platform to access event information, including presentations, videos, and discussions.

COMING SOON!

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

Explore the GEO Insights area, where you can filter by region to access the latest events, articles, survey findings, and reports. Stay updated with the latest information and insights specific to your region, and gain valuable knowledge from our curated content.

View regional news & resources

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

EUROPEANCHAPTER

CHAPTER TEAM:

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

WELCOME TO THE FRANCE CHAPTER

REGIONAL RESOURCES

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

The future of global share ownership