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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, 14:10 - 15:10
Design and strategy
5.5 Awards on the Move: Equity Grants to Mobile and Flexible Workers

Narendra Acharya, Baker McKenzie (CA)
Agnes Charpenet, Baker McKenzie (FR)
Lee-Ann Chew, Delivery Hero (DE)
Veerle Lerut, Baker McKenzie (BE) 
Ludmilla Maurer, Baker McKenzie (DE)
Alvaro Pinilla Sanz, Delivery Hero (DE)

 

Global
BREAKOUT V

As remote and location-independent work continues to rise, managing tax and social security implications for employees working in different countries presents unique challenges for both employers and employees.

This session will explore how location-independent workers impact the tax and social security sourcing for equity-based compensation and how companies can navigate these complexities.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand the tax and social security challenges faced by location-independent workers and how they affect equity compensation.
  • Learn about the impact of vesting periods on tax sourcing and the administrative burdens for both issuers and employees.
  • Explore the solutions companies are implementing in response to these challenges within the EU and OECD framework.
LOCATION:
Karlin 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 15:25 - 16:25
5.1 The Price is Right: Tax, Transfer Pricing, and Recharge Strategies for Global Share Plans

Alison Hughes, KPMG
Phil Roper, KPMG
 

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 V

Operating a global share plan comes with significant costs, and recharge policies are a key tool for allocating these expenses to employing subsidiaries. An effective recharge policy requires careful consideration of commercial, accounting, and tax factors, including transfer pricing rules. This session will unpack how these elements interact, why transfer pricing is critical, and the practical steps needed to design and manage a compliant and effective recharge policy that supports sustainable global share plan operations.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • How commercial, accounting, and tax considerations shape an effective recharge policy. 
  • Why transfer pricing rules are central to the design and operation of global share plan recharge arrangements. 
  • Practical insights for managing recharge policies to balance compliance with operational efficiency.
LOCATION:
Monument
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 15:25 - 16:25
5.2 The Cultural Balancing Act: Designing Equity Programs That Work Worldwide

Yael Elbaz, FGE, Infinite Equity
Gemma Ludwig, Vialto Partners

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

Delivering equity compensation across multiple countries is more than a compliance challenge—it’s a cultural balancing act. This session brings global equity complexities to life, examining how tax rules, statutory requirements, and employee expectations vary across markets. Focusing on five unique countries, we’ll uncover key compliance considerations, surprising statutory quirks, and cultural nuances that can influence participation. Through real-world examples of common pitfalls and recovery strategies, attendees will gain practical insights on how to localize equity programs effectively, ensuring they resonate with employees worldwide while remaining compliant locally.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • How tax, statutory, and cultural differences across countries impact equity plan design and participation. 
  • Practical strategies for avoiding common compliance and communication pitfalls in global programs. 
  • Actionable approaches to localizing equity plans for maximum engagement and adherence.
LOCATION:
Fenchurch
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 15:25 - 16:25
5.3 Challenges and Solutions - UK and International SAYE Share Plans

Jake Dear, MUFG
Sally Blanchflower, Tapestry
Caroline Thompson-Hayes, Jet2
Helen Hopkins, MUFG

Choice plans
Discount shares
Executive plans
Performance shares
Global
BREAKOUT V

Designing a share plan that is accessible to all employees presents unique challenges. This session will explore how collaboration between administrators, advisors, and client issuers can overcome these obstacles to create practical, inclusive solutions. Attendees will gain insights into the complexities of accessibility in plan design, learn from real-world examples, and understand how cross-functional teamwork can drive successful implementation while meeting diverse employee needs.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Common accessibility challenges in share plan design and how to address them. 
  • How collaboration between administrators, advisors, and issuers leads to effective, inclusive solutions. 
  • Practical strategies for implementing share plans that work for all employees, regardless of location or circumstance.
LOCATION:
Lombard
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
I
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 15:25 - 16:25
5.4 Economic Waves: Steering Your Equity Plans Through Global Currents

Brian Purcell, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions
Nataliia Lipikhina, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Michelle Murphy, Evelyn Partners
Ricardo Saggiante Montero, Saudi Aramco

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
BREAKOUT V

In an increasingly interconnected world, global events continue to shape the UK’s economic landscape. Since the recent US presidential election, market fluctuations have highlighted the ripple effects of policy decisions and macroeconomic changes. In this engaging session, Nataliia Lipikhina, Head of EMEA Strategy at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, will provide an update on the macroeconomic environment, examine sector dynamics and emerging themes, and explore how these factors are influencing equity markets and other asset classes. Attendees will leave with practical guidance for navigating uncertainty, protecting share plans from market impacts, and addressing employee concerns in volatile times.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Insights into current macroeconomic trends and sector-specific dynamics affecting equity markets. 
  • Strategies to insulate share plans from adverse market and economic impacts. 
  • Techniques for effectively communicating with employees about uncertainty and financial volatility.
LOCATION:
Mintster Forum
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Economics
Level:
O
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 15:25 - 16:15
5.1 From Promise to Payout: Navigating the Executive Equity Landscape in Uncertain Times

Chris Dohrmann, FGE, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions
Robert Fritz, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
John Hammond, FGE, Aon
 

Executive plans
Global
BREAKOUT V

In today’s volatile market, navigating the journey from receiving an executive equity grant to realizing its full potential is increasingly complex. This session will explore how effective education and strategic planning can help executives and organizations manage expectations, optimize outcomes, and maximize the benefits of equity compensation. Our expert panel will examine critical considerations including tax optimization, succession planning, and regulatory compliance, providing actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty and ensure transparency throughout the equity lifecycle.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • How market volatility affects executive equity compensation and strategies to manage expectations.
  • The role of targeted education in aligning stakeholders and maintaining transparency.
  • Strategic planning approaches to maximize equity benefits, including tax and succession planning.
  • Navigating regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance from grant through vesting.
LOCATION:
Park A/B
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 15:25 - 16:15
5.2 From Molecules to Millions: Biotech’s Transition from Lab to Market

Stephen Popowski, Aon
Karen Needham, FGE, Wave Life Sciences

Executive plans
Performance cash
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
USA
BREAKOUT V

As biotechnology firms evolve from research-focused organizations into commercial powerhouses, their equity compensation strategies must undergo a strategic shift. This session will explore the “why” and “how” of updating pre-commercial frameworks, equity vehicles, and performance metrics to align with the demands of a commercial environment. Participants will examine the challenges of balancing stakeholder expectations, maintaining executive focus, and designing equity programs that drive long-term commercial success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • How to evolve equity compensation frameworks as biotech firms transition from research to commercial operations.
  • Strategies for aligning equity vehicles and performance metrics with stakeholder priorities and commercial goals.
  • Practical insights for maintaining executive focus while supporting the firm’s path to sustainable growth.
LOCATION:
Park C
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2023, 15:00 - 15:50
Executive pay
MODERNIZED APPROACHES TO PAYROLL RECONCILIATIONS AND BEYOND

SPEAKERS: Matthew McKittrick, Moss Adams (US), Tierney Dowling, DoorDash, Merianne White, Avalara

Global
DoorDash, Avalara, Moss Adams
BREAKOUT VI

Join industry leaders from DoorDash, Avalara, and Moss Adams as they explore the transformative power of automation in driving operational excellence, starting with payroll reconciliations. In this engaging panel discussion, our expert panelists will share their diverse approaches to reconciliations, accompanied by real-world anecdotes highlighting the challenges they encountered and the successes they achieved along their journey.

Attendees will learn:

  • Automation: Streamline reconciliations and beyond with automation. Learn about the impact and efficiency gained from automated tools.
  • Scaling Automation: Expand automation efforts for sustained operational excellence across functions.
  • Lessons Learned: Gain practical strategies from panelists' experiences to maximize the benefits of automation.
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2023, 15:00 - 15:50
Employee engagement
THE GREAT… REFRESH?

SPEAKERS: Janet Cooper, OBE, FGEYvonne Smyth, Hays, Rosemary Lemon, Hays

Global
BREAKOUT VI

Over the past two years, we've experienced the Great Resignation and the Great Reset due to COVID-19. Now, companies are focused on the challenges and opportunities of AI, hybrid working, and skills shortages.

This session considers whether UK-based and global companies are looking for alternative sources of labor as they plan for the future.

Attendees will learn:

  • The impact of inflation and cost of living crisis on global equity plans
  • What the best employers are doing to attract, retain, incentivize and reward talent
  • What the future of work looks like including the impact of AI on the labour market and employer proposition to employees