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.

Non-desk employees often participate in stock plans at significantly lower levels than their corporate-office peers. To truly retain and engage this workforce, companies must break down barriers—making equity plans easier to access, understand, and value. 

This session will share practical strategies and real-world examples of how issuers are closing the gap and creating inclusive participation opportunities.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Barriers that limit participation among non-desk employees.
• Strategies for inclusive communication and education.
• Practical approaches to boost engagement and understanding of equity plans.

The SEC’s forthcoming executive compensation disclosure rulemaking is set to redefine transparency, corporate accountability, and reporting expectations for public companies. While details are still emerging, this session will provide attendees with insights and strategic guidance to anticipate and prepare for the impact of these changes. Participants will explore how to align internal processes, enhance disclosure practices, and ensure readiness for a new era of executive compensation reporting.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Key anticipated changes in SEC executive compensation disclosure requirements.
• Strategies to prepare internal processes and reporting frameworks for compliance.
• How enhanced transparency can support corporate accountability and investor confidence.

Broad-based equity programs—whether RSUs, ESPPs, or stock options—offer significant value, but many employees fail to fully understand or appreciate these benefits. Cultural differences, language barriers, and limited familiarity with stock concepts can create gaps in engagement and participation. This panel will examine where equity communication succeeds and where it falls short, sharing case studies from multinational companies that have effectively conveyed the value of equity to diverse employee audiences. Attendees will gain actionable insights for improving understanding, engagement, and participation across their workforce.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How cultural, language, and knowledge gaps impact equity program engagement and participation.
• Effective strategies multinational companies have used to communicate equity value broadly.
• Practical approaches to improving understanding, engagement, and adoption of broad-based equity programs.

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.

Operating a global share plan comes with a unique set of challenges, from regulatory and tax compliance to cultural differences across jurisdictions. In this panel discussion, Standard Chartered will share how they developed a preparation strategy and successfully introduced their Sharesave plan to employees worldwide. Attendees will gain practical insights into the realities of administering a global Sharesave, including the complexities involved and the tangible benefits that make the effort worthwhile.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How regulatory and tax obligations vary across jurisdictions and the implications for global plan administration. 
• The full scope of administrative complexity when operating a global Sharesave. 
• The importance of tailoring communication and education strategies to different regional audiences.

AI scale-ups are scaling globally at an unprecedented speed, making traditional equity incentive models outdated. In this hyper-competitive environment, companies must design cross-border equity strategies from day one, treating employees as partners to win the war for talent. This keynote moves beyond theory, drawing on Nordic client engagements to share practical insights and a clear framework of “Do’s and Don’ts” for equity incentives. Attendees will explore real-world examples of what works—and what doesn’t—equipping leaders to build strategies that align employees, drive sustained motivation, and create a durable competitive advantage in the AI-driven economy.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How to design equity incentives for global, fast-scaling AI companies from the first hire. 
• Practical “Do’s and Don’ts” for crafting a modern equity story that motivates and engages employees. 
• Strategies to align talent with business goals, fostering retention, motivation, and long-term competitive advantage.

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.

UK SIP and SAYE plans offer a unique tax advantage: participants can transfer shares directly into ISAs, creating powerful opportunities for tax efficiency. With reductions in the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exemption and increases in CGT rates, issuers face new challenges in ensuring employees understand and maximize these benefits. This panel will explore what happens once employees secure these tax advantages—examining ISA usage, personal financial wellbeing, diversification, and long-term savings goals. 

Drawing on statistical data, emerging trends, and real-world issuer case studies, the discussion will also consider how ISAs support financial resilience and investment in the UK. With insights from experts across employee share plans, regulated products, and issuers, this promises to be a practical and thought-provoking conversation.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How ISAs can enhance employee financial wellbeing, long-term savings, and resilience beyond immediate tax benefits. 
• What issuers can do to increase awareness and drive effective use of ISAs alongside share plans. 
• Insights from recent trends, data analysis, and issuer experiences on employee behavior post-SIP and SAYE participation.