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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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Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Finance, tax and accounting
4.2 Mastering Talent Strategies in France: Taxation, Trends, and Tools for Success

Orianne Achéritéguy, Deloitte Société d'Avocats (FR)
Xavier Cavenel, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (FR)
Matthieu Gonbert, Banque Transatlantique (FR)
Vanda Kiss, Nokia (HU)

Global
BREAKOUT IV

In today’s competitive talent market, understanding the evolving landscape is essential to staying ahead. This session brings together experienced professionals and French companies to share best practices and insights into navigating the complexities of compensation and taxation in France. Gain actionable strategies to attract, retain, and motivate top talent while aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends and French tax regulations.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Hear and discuss recent changes in French tax laws and how CSR trends influence compensation strategies.
  • Share and discuss the most effective compensation tools and how to incorporate them into your talent strategy.
  • Exchange best practices for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 2
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Financial wellbeing and education
4.3 Total Rewards and Financial Wellness Beyond Equity Plans

Evans Longacre, Fidelity (US)
Maya Wright, Industry Expert (US)
Augustin Serban, Industry Expert (ES)

Global
BREAKOUT IV

Discover the power of an integrated rewards strategy that goes beyond equity plans to support employee financial wellness and overall well-being during this interactive roundtable. Participants will share experiences and explore how to combine equity, compensation, benefits, and wellness initiatives to attract and retain top talent while addressing the diverse needs of today’s workforce.
Through guided discussions, you’ll uncover actionable insights on creating cohesive total rewards strategies, the role of financial wellness programs in reducing workplace stress, and innovative ways to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Explore strategies for integrating compensation, equity, benefits, and non-monetary perks into a cohesive total rewards strategy.
  • Explore how financial wellness programs can improve employees' overall well-being and reduce workplace stress.
  • Share practical tools and strategies to design rewards programs that meet the diverse needs of a modern workforce, fostering higher satisfaction and retention.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Private and pre-IPO companies
4.4 Preparing for IPO Success: Aligning Stakeholders and Scaling Equity Plans

Peter Ahern, Ledgy (UK)
Dennis Paalman, Arcadis (NL)
Andrew Quayle, CMS (UK)
 

Global
BREAKOUT IV

Discover how companies can effectively prepare for IPOs by aligning stakeholders, fortifying financials, and ensuring equity plans are primed to scale for the demands of public markets. With the IPO pipeline showing signs of renewed activity, this roundtable offers a valuable platform to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and develop actionable strategies with peers and industry experts.
This interactive discussion will delve into critical aspects of the IPO process, spotlighting common equity-related roadblocks and practical solutions to address them. Participants will explore best practices for stakeholder alignment, financial readiness, and creating scalable share plans that can withstand the scrutiny of public markets.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Explore and discuss the steps required to align stakeholders and ensure financials are prepared for IPO scrutiny.
  • Share insights into overcoming equity-related challenges and addressing common blockers.
  • Discuss strategies to adapt and scale share plans to ensure a smooth transition to public markets.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Trending now
4.5 Global Tariffs & Share Plans: Risks, Reactions, and Resilience

Zoe Denny, GEO (UK)
Mark Higgins, WPP (UK)

All plan types
Global
BREAKOUT IV

As global trade policies evolve, tariffs are increasingly influencing more than just goods—they’re affecting how multinational companies design and administer employee share plans. In this session, industry experts will explore how tariff-driven costs and shifting regulations are adding complexity to equity compensation.

We'll consider how companies might adapt their strategies, redesign plans for resilience, and communicate effectively in a rapidly changing global landscape.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Discover how tariff pressures may reshape award design, plan localization, and performance metrics.
  • Learn ways to keep participants engaged despite rising uncertainty and regional volatility.
  • Get practical insights into “tariff-proofing” your equity plans for the future
LOCATION:
Karlin 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 14:35 - 15:05
4.1 UK Tax Changes and ISA Adoption: What They Mean for Employee Shareholding

Sarah Beamish, Equiniti
Sarah Smith, Equiniti
Nigel Youds, Drax Group
Anna Jex, RELX

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT IV

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.
LOCATION:
Fenchurch
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 14:35 - 15:05
4.2 Balancing the Books: Mastering Professional Budgeting for Employee Stock Plans

Adva Lewitte, Shareforce
Maria Gasca, Aon
Wendy Zhang, Polar Capital

Global
BREAKOUT IV

In this session, industry experts will unpack the critical art of budgeting and forecasting for employee stock plans. As equity-based compensation remains a cornerstone of talent retention and motivation, companies must balance employee incentives with financial sustainability.

From stock options and RSUs to performance shares and other awards, the discussion will center on how organizations can effectively forecast, budget, and track the costs of their plans. Special focus will be given to incorporating performance conditions such as total shareholder return (TSR), aligning forecasts with internal metrics, and improving long-term financial planning. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies, examples, and tools to strengthen both budgeting accuracy and strategic decision-making.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn practical strategies to forecast, budget, and manage the true costs of stock plans.
  • Understand the financial impact of performance conditions like TSR on equity compensation.
  • Discover how to integrate equity plans into corporate financial planning using technology and data for greater accuracy and transparency.

 

LOCATION:
Lombard
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 14:35 - 15:05
4.3 Turning Shrugs into Shares: How to Engage Employees on the Mundane but Meaningful

Phil Norton, FGE, Aon
Sarah Long, Wealth at Work
Ryan Ludden, Sprintax

Cash deferral
Choice plans
Discount shares
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Equity deferral
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
BREAKOUT IV

Tax implications of awards and share plan compliance may not seem like the most exciting topics—but they have a direct impact on employees’ financial futures. This session will explore how global equity leaders can turn complex, technical issues into engaging conversations that drive understanding and action. Through a case study on dividend withholding tax, we’ll highlight behavioural insights, communication tactics, and education strategies that bring clarity and relevance to employees across borders. Attendees will leave with practical tools to close the “engagement gap” and connect financial compliance with overall wellbeing.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • How to simplify and humanize complex topics like tax and compliance through storytelling, personalization, and creative communication. 
  • Practical tactics—such as gamification, micro-learning, and timely nudges—that effectively engage employees in their financial education. 
  • A framework for linking tax education and share plan compliance to broader financial wellbeing strategies.
LOCATION:
Mintster Forum
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 14:20 - 15:10
4.1 The ESPP Playbook: Top Questions and Best Practices

Emily Cervino, FGE, Fidelity
Lindsay Minnis, Baker McKenzie
Anne Baldrige, MKS Instruments
 

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT IV

ESPPs are the most common way to share ownership, yet these plans can be surprisingly complex—and equally fascinating. Join this session to explore the top questions every equity professional should have on their radar: Are qualifying dispositions worth the wait? Can non-qualified plans be compelling and efficient? How generous should your ESPP be? How do ESPPs impact other voluntary programs? Do ESPPs really move the needle on company performance? Can an ESPP be offered globally? Attendees will leave with fresh insights and new perspectives that could reshape how they think about ESPPs.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Understand the impact of qualifying dispositions and timing strategies.
  • Evaluate the efficiency and appeal of non-qualified ESPPs.
  • Explore considerations for offering ESPPs to a global workforce.
LOCATION:
Park A/B
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 14:20 - 15:10
4.2 Engaging the Ecosystem: Boston Scientific’s Holistic Approach to Employee Experience

JC Nichols, Morgan Stanley
Dan Bird, Boston Scientific
James Fucigna, Morgan Stanley

Global
BREAKOUT IV

How do you attract, engage, and retain employees in today’s competitive environment? Boston Scientific may have the answer. By creating a fully integrated participant ecosystem—covering equity, retirement, charitable giving, and more—BSC is building deeper engagement and stronger connections with its workforce. This session will explore how Boston Scientific leverages partnerships with vendors to deliver user-centric experiences, iterate quickly through a test-and-learn approach, and transform traditional stock participant strategies into a cohesive ecosystem that drives positive results. Attendees will gain practical insights into designing engagement programs that go beyond individual plans to create meaningful, holistic participant experiences.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • User-centric design and agile approaches
  • Evolving partnerships with vendors through testing, learning, and iteration
  • Expanding from a stock participant strategy to a cohesive ecosystem
LOCATION:
Park C