GEO's 2018 Australia Regional Events

Join this fun, interactive session to test your knowledge of tax and legal requirements around the world. Team up with fellow GEO attendees to guess where our mysterious characters, aliases “Smith”, are hiding based on the provided tax and regulatory clues. You may be surprised at what you know (or don't know) and might even win prizes for your global knowledge! Watch the Video

Nina Mlinarevic, AMP Limited
Darren Smith, Solium
Phil Turss, Brambles Limited

This session will look at tax and legal issues that may arise for Australian companies in a transaction. We will explore:

• Current trends in how equity awards are treated in transactions
• How plan/award documentation may interfere with applying the preferred treatment in a transaction
• Country-specific challenges related to implementing such treatment, including achieving tax neutrality for equity awards in a transaction, dealing with regulatory filings and other compliance action items and addressing labour law and data privacy considerations

Join us to gain perspective on getting or keeping plans and equity awards in good shape in case of a company transaction (whether you are on buyer or seller side) and obtain useful guidance on navigating the challenges that may arise for equity awards in a transaction!

Micaela Costello, CSL Limited
Denise Glagau, Baker McKenzie
Erica Kidston, Baker McKenzie

Following the appointment of CEO Skander Malcolm, the OFX board requested a review of employee equity arrangements as part of a wider remuneration structure review. At the time, only a handful of Australian executives had “skin in the game” and the board and executive team felt it was time to broaden share ownership across the organization. Join OFX Company Secretary Freya Smith, CFO Selena Verth, and MinterEllison’s Head of Remuneration Governance, Jon Finlay in a discussion around what Boards are trying to achieve via employee equity, and OFX’s approach to establishing broad-based global employee share ownership – facilitated by Sally Mulligan, Business Development Director, Solium.

Jon Finlay, MinterEllison
Sally Mulligan, Solium
Freya Smith, OFX Group Limited
Selena Verth, OFX Group Limited

Join this session for a case study discussion on Cochlear Limited's global withholding tax successes and challenges, and the creative solutions they implemented through a collaboration between the company’s key providers to improve and enhance this important (and often challenging) share plan process. Hear how this diverse team of experts collaborated in the successful deployment of a unique tool, GAIN, the first use of its kind by an Australian company in Australia.

Rob Basker, Deloitte
Janet Lee, Cochlear
Keshwan Nair, Boardroom Pty Limited

The session envelops South32's core values. South32 offers their All Share Plan to over 14,000 employees globally. They have worked hard to overcome limited financial understanding, remote mine site locations, varying levels of education, distribution challenges and language barriers. South32 was pleased to take home a GEO Award in April for Best Plan Communication for their global efforts to approach their vesting event this year, which included for the first time, 7,000 South African workers. Given the added challenges of South African-based workers, South32’s approach to communication and the process for all employees in seven countries will leave you with a unique perspective!

Rhodri Harris, PwC
Matthew Reed, Computershare
Rebecca Stewart, South32
Leigh Thomson, Computershare

Your company has recently introduced a minimum shareholding guideline for NEDs, who are now required to achieve a shareholding equivalent to their annual NED base fee within five years of appointment. You are considering implementing a NED share rights plan to assist the NEDs to increase their shareholdings in the company. This session will explore Non-Executive Director Share Rights Plans, including a discussion on the Human Resources, Tax and Corporate Regulatory issues that need to be considered. In this session, Shaun Cartoon (Allens) and Micaela Costello (CSL), will share their unique perspectives

Shaun Cartoon, Allens
Micaela Costello, CSL Limited

Employee Ownership Australia (EOA) is pleased to collaborate with GEO to deliver an update on EOA’s initiatives related to working with local government, politicians, and regulators to advocate for removal of barriers to improve the regulatory and economic environment for employee ownership in Australian companies. In this session, two of our leading experts Andrew Clements (Partner, King & Wood Mallesons and Chair, EOA Experts Panel and Deputy Chair of EOA) and Mathew Ronald (Director, EY and Board Member, EOA) will provide an update to GEO conference attendees on the latest progress including an opportunity for GEO members and attendees to provide feedback and input into the advocacy direction.

Mathew Ronald, EY