Navigating Capital Gains Tax (CGT) can be a daunting challenge for UK employees, but NatWest Group is turning complexity into clarity. This session will explore how NatWest supports employees throughout the CGT journey—from initial awareness to understanding available options, such as ISA, pension, or spousal/civil partner transfers, through to confidently completing tax returns. Central to this approach is NatWest’s bespoke CGT base cost calculator, which simplifies calculations across multiple share plans while serving as an educational resource. Attendees will discover how effective tools, resources, and guidance can transform a complex tax scenario into an engaging and empowering employee experience, increasing appreciation for the value of share ownership across the organization.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How to provide employees with practical tools and guidance to navigate CGT across multiple share plans. 
• The impact of effective CGT support on employee engagement, confidence, and overall experience. 
• Lessons from NatWest’s approach to transforming complex tax scenarios into accessible and educational experiences.

Join us for this engaging panel discussion designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in an active mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market. Hear firsthand from experienced peers who have successfully managed complex mergers, acquisitions, and business spin-offs. Gain practical insights into how equity can be used as a strategic tool to drive integration, retention, and long-term success for your organisation.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the key challenges and opportunities that arise during mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs, and how to prepare your equity programs accordingly.
• Explore real-world examples of how companies have aligned compensation and equity strategies to support organisational goals during transition periods.
• Learn actionable strategies for communicating and managing equity plans effectively to retain talent and maintain engagement through times of change.

Tax withholding on equity awards can be a major challenge, particularly for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions with differing rules. This session will uncover the “crown jewels” of global withholding, offering practical insights, strategic approaches, and legal considerations to navigate both common and complex challenges. Our expert panel will address key issues including determining withholding rates and taxable amounts, selecting appropriate methods for different equity vehicles, managing obligations for employees and non-employees, and the role of brokers in covering taxes. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to stay compliant, avoid pitfalls, and optimize their withholding processes.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How to determine the correct withholding rate, taxable amount, and method for various equity plans. 
• Practical approaches to managing withholding obligations across multiple jurisdictions and employee types. 
• Strategies to mitigate risks, address failures to withhold, and leverage brokers effectively.

This session will explore the latest GEO Global Share Plan Ranking Report, which evaluates the “share friendliness” of 30+ countries. Developed in collaboration with leading experts in the design, implementation, and administration of employee share schemes, the report examines operating environments, adoption rates, and employee participation levels. Attendees will discover which countries lead the way in fostering employee share plans and learn how these practices can drive organizational growth while enhancing employee prosperity.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Insights into the global landscape of employee share schemes and which countries are leading the way. 
• How operating environments, adoption, and participation rates influence the success of share plans. 
• Practical takeaways for leveraging international best practices to enhance your own equity programs.

ProShare’s annual SAYE and SIP report provides a unique lens on the performance of UK tax-approved plans. This year’s data reveals declining participation rates and reduced company interest in launching new plans, alongside evidence that cost-of-living pressures are influencing employees’ investment behaviours and decisions at maturity. 

In this session, we’ll explore these trends through case studies from issuers and examine what companies need to consider for the success of their plans in today’s changing environment—from generational shifts and the AI revolution to the ongoing challenges of recruitment, retention, and motivation. 

Attendees will gain insight into the future of UK-approved plans and how they can continue to support both employee and corporate success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• What current participation and maturity trends in SAYE and SIP mean for companies and plan participants.
• How external factors like cost-of-living, workforce demographics, and technology are shaping the future of UK share plans.
• Practical considerations for designing and positioning SAYE and SIP plans to drive engagement, retention, and shared success.

The turbulence of recent years has placed equity plan administrators at the center of economic and organizational challenges—from market volatility to corporate restructuring. This interactive roundtable will feature administrators who have successfully navigated diverse disruptions, sharing real-world experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for staying prepared. Participants will explore practical preparation checklists for handling market down-cycles, regulation changes, plan amendments, M&A, and restructuring, ensuring that the next wave of turbulence doesn’t catch them off guard.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Proven strategies administrators have used to navigate volatility, corporate actions, and regulatory change. 
• How to prepare for and respond to disruptive events with actionable checklists. 
• Lessons learned from real-world case studies to build resilience into equity plan administration.

Centrica’s relaunch of Sharesave—after a five-year gap—has delivered record-breaking employee engagement and participation. This real-life case study will showcase how Centrica used financial education, clear communication, and relatable storytelling to help colleagues understand the value of saving directly from pay, plan for the future, and experience those “lightbulb moments” about the benefits of share plans. With 2025 marking a milestone year—profit share vesting, a Sharesave maturity, and a Sharesave relaunch—this session will bring to life the strategies and results that made the initiative such a success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How financial education can demystify Sharesave and make the benefits tangible for employees. 
• Practical communication approaches that drive engagement and record take-up rates. 
• Lessons from Centrica’s case study that issuers can apply to their own share plan relaunch or refresh.

As the global workforce evolves and technology reshapes how we work, equity compensation is undergoing a significant transformation. This forward-looking panel, moderated by Mitan Patel from Fidelity, will explore the trends shaping the future of equity plans, from AI integration in plan design and administration to shifting regulatory and tax landscapes across Europe and beyond. 

Industry experts will share real-world insights on how automation can enhance engagement, emerging taxation challenges, evolving equity mixes, changing employee expectations, and the growing influence of ESG in performance-based awards. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to navigate these trends and future-proof their equity compensation programs.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How AI and automation are streamlining equity plan management and improving participant engagement. 
• Emerging taxation, regulatory, and cross-border compliance challenges and how to navigate them effectively. 
• The impact of evolving equity mixes, generational expectations, and ESG considerations on plan design and employee motivation.

Expanding your share plans beyond your home country involves a complex set of considerations. This UK issuer case study will explore the practical and strategic issues that arise when taking plans global, from platform capabilities (languages, currencies) and plan design readiness to policy alignment, instrument functionality, and cross-border implications. Additional topics include service centre relocation, 409A valuations, and extending equity further down the corporate hierarchy. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges, risks, and best practices for ensuring a smooth, compliant, and effective international expansion of share plans.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Critical operational and design considerations when extending plans to new countries or regions. 
• How cross-border factors, such as service centre moves and local regulations, impact plan implementation. 
• Strategies to ensure equity plans support broader corporate goals, including extending participation down the hierarchy.