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A FIRST-CLASS VIRTUAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Billy Billingham
BILLY BILLINGHAM MBE

Decorated Military Leader. Bodyguard. Best-Selling Author. TV Personality. Speaker.

There is not much Billy Billingham MBE QCB can't do!

With more than 20 years of military leadership, including executing strategic operations in places including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and Africa, Billy has experienced what it takes to be mentally tough.

As a result of his bravery, he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery and MBE by Queen Elizabeth II.

Join Billy as he brings his experiences to GEO's audience to educate and enthral those seeking how to combat challenges and hardships the SAS way!

INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRING BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Access on-demand recordings.of the event's 20 live sessions that span six subject tracks and 30 'Best of Edinburgh' highest-rated sessions from GEO's 24th Annual Conference.

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Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 14:10 - 15:00
Design and strategy
3.3 New Country - New Equity Rules. But That's Just the Start

Chris Dohrmann, FGE, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions
Rebecca Perry, Tapestry
Julie Shepherd, FGE, Sage Group plc

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT III

Ready to take your employee stock plan global? Discover why a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work and learn how to tailor your plan for each jurisdiction. Our panel will cover essential considerations for rolling out your plan internationally, from adhering to local regulations to optimizing participation rates. We'll explore data privacy variations, local labor laws, and strategies to manage cultural and language barriers. Get a high-level overview of customizations needed, a deep dive into data privacy regulations across regions, and best practices for engaging employees and streamlining your global plan.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Learn how to tailor your stock plan for different jurisdictions to meet local regulations and boost participation
  • Understand data privacy requirements in the EU, EEA, UK, APAC, South America, and compare them to North American laws
  • Discover strategies to overcome cultural and language barriers and streamline your global plan
LOCATION:
Partnership 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
B
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 14:10 - 15:00
Design and strategy
3.4 Experienced Insights: Navigating the Complexities of IFRS 2 with Amadeus

Mayura Arankalle, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions
Christian Hyldig, Aon
Holly Hamilton, Amadeus

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT III

Explore the financial reporting impacts of share plan designs in this case-study presentation by Amadeus. The expert panel will cover the financial reporting impacts of share plan designs and the key requirements of IFRS 2, including how various plan designs influence valuations, amortisation, and expense recognition.

Learn about the complexities of performance plans, effective reporting and disclosure practices, and strategies for communicating impacts to stakeholders. This session is perfect for HR and equity compensation professionals looking to enhance their understanding and application of IFRS 2.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Understand the requirements of IFRS 2 and its implications for share-based payments
  • Learn how different plan designs affect valuation, amortisation, and performance plans
  • Discover best practices for reporting, disclosure, and stakeholder communication under IFRS 2
LOCATION:
Affiliation Hub 1

CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Accounting
Level:
A
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 14:10 - 15:00
Communications
3.5 Beyond Animation: Emerging Digital Employee Engagement Trends

Amy Brimble, Deloitte
Adam Bryan, Deloitte
Sarah Billington, IAG

Cash deferral
Choice plans
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Equity deferral
Executive plans
Performance cash
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT III

Explore how creativity and technology can transform employee communications in this inspirational session. Delve into the use of innovative digital tools—beyond traditional animation and interactive brochures—to enhance employee engagement. The panel will address practical questions such as the effectiveness of these tools, overcoming resource constraints, and actionable steps to immediately improve your digital experience. Feel inspired, energised and dazzled by the possibilities.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Discover how advanced digital tools can significantly enhance employee engagement beyond traditional methods
  • Learn practical strategies from experts for implementing innovative communication techniques, even with limited resources
  • Get inspired with actionable steps to evolve your digital experience for better results
LOCATION:
Affiliation Hub 2


CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Communication and Marketing
Level:
O
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 11:00 - 12:00
Data and business intelligence
3.1 Global Equity Insights Survey 2025: Trends Shaping Equity Compensation

GEIS Sponsor Panel

All plan types
Global
BREAKOUT III

This session presents a first look of key findings from the Global Equity Insights Survey (GEIS) 2025, offering a comprehensive overview of current trends in global equity compensation. It focuses on Long-Term Incentives (LTIs), Share Purchase Plans (SPPs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, restructuring impacts, and the growing importance of Human Capital Management (HCM) Reporting and Equal Pay initiatives.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how companies are adapting equity programs to remain competitive in a changing market landscape, with a trend towards more flexible designs and expanded employee participation.
  • Explore how AI is transforming equity management, from improving planning accuracy to enhancing employee engagement and ensuring regulatory compliance. Is this a repeat of the other session? Perhaps they can focus on other findings?
  • Learn how HCM Reporting and Equal Pay initiatives are influencing equity program design, reflecting a broader trend towards greater corporate accountability and fairness.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 1
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 11:00 - 12:00
Data and business intelligence
3.2 Stock Based Compensation and Driving Perceived Value with your Early Career Workforce

Christy Browning, Dell (US)
Sandy Shurin, Deloitte (US)
Jane Darlington, Deloitte  (US)
 

Global
BREAKOUT III

Stock-based compensation is a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent, but are we truly measuring its return on investment through the lens of key talent objectives?

In this first-of-its-kind survey, Deloitte surveyed nearly 1,750 early-career and diverse employees to uncover the personal narratives and demographic identities influencing their participation in these programs. The findings highlight the critical need for employers to align their stock-based compensation offerings with their talent goals and to approach program design with flexibility, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds of early-career and underrepresented employees.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how early-career and diverse employees view stock-based compensation and how these perspectives shape participation.
  • Gain actionable insights on how Dell is aligning its compensation programs with specific talent objectives to maximize impact.
  • Walk away with practical takeaways on how to adjust your stock-based compensation programs to better meet the needs of your workforce.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 2
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 11:00 - 12:00
Finance, tax and accounting
3.3 Global and Mobile 101 - Fundamentals of Global Tax and Mobility for Equity Plans

Leann Balbona, FGE, KPMG (US)
AmyLynn Flood, FGE, Vialto Partners (US)
Cathy Goonetilleke, EY (US)
Mark Miller, Deloitte (US)
Darren Smith, Morgan Stanely at Work (US)
 

Global
BREAKOUT III

Join senior experts from all the Big 4 accounting firms for an interactive roundtable on managing tax compliance for global equity plans. In this session, speakers, moderators, and participants will explore key considerations in tax mobility, the essential elements of a well-administered global plan, and the challenges faced when managing equity compensation for a mobile workforce.

Attendees will gain practical strategies to enhance their international tax processes and ensure compliance with equity administration responsibilities.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Best practices for tax compliance in global equity plans.
  • Lessons learned from managing tax compliance across borders.
  • Emerging market trends and future expectations in equity compensation.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Tax
Level:
O
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 11:00 - 12:00
Legal and regulatory
3.4 Navigating Employment Law Challenges in Global Share Plans

Sophie Boucher, Palo Alto Networks (US)
Katja Haferer, Baker McKenzie (DE)
Sinead Kelly, Baker McKenzie (US) 
Eaton Williamson, Seagate Technologies (US)
 

Global
BREAKOUT III

Operating a global equity plan in a way that meets the company's incentive and retention goals while complying with a myriad of laws can be challenging, especially when factoring in employment law considerations on a global basis.

This session explores how companies can effectively manage these challenges, both from a legal perspective and in practice, focusing on the latest developments and best practices globally related to termination of employment and retirement, leave of absence, restrictive covenants, clawback enforceability and more.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn best practices for managing equity awards during voluntary and involuntary terminations, ensuring compliance and retention goals are met.
  • Understand how different types of leave—such as maternity, medical, or military—affect equity compensation and how to adapt plans accordingly.
  • Explore strategies for implementing enforceable clawback policies and effectively navigating non-compete and non-solicitation agreements in a global context.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Business Law
Level:
I
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 11:00 - 12:00
Global perspectives on equity classics
3.5 Battle of the Plans: UK and Europe v US

Megan Hunt, Samsara (US)
Tom Parker, Tapestry Compliance (US)
Elena Petrou, Aviva (US)
Chris Potash, Harter Secrest & Emery (US)

UK and Channel Islands
USA
BREAKOUT III

Join expert speakers from Tapestry, HSE (US counsel), Aviva (UK), and Samsara (US) as they discuss their diverse approaches to designing equity compensation plans for a global workforce.

From global matching plans to employee stock purchase plans (ESPP), this session will provide insights into creating effective equity plans that drive employee ownership and engagement across different cultures and regions.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how to design equity compensation plans that work across global workforces.
  • Discover innovative approaches to employee ownership and enhancing plan understanding.
  • Explore strategies for ensuring compliance and best practices when expanding or exiting from markets.
LOCATION:
Karlin 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
I
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 13:30 - 14:30
3.1 Going Global with Your Share Plans: What to Know Before You Go!

Peter Ahern, Ledgy
Gabbi Stopp, FGE, Ledgy
Valentin Kiselak, Endeavour Mining

Choice plans
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Equity deferral
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT III

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.
LOCATION:
Monument
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O