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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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Thursday, 23 Apr 2026, 09:30 - 10:20
Trending now
7.5 The Strategic Evolution of the Equity Leader

Odelia Pollak, IBI Capital (IS)
Suzie Bentley, NVIDIA (US)
Kelly Geerts, Retired (US)
Adie Leung, FGE, Consultant (HK)

Global
BREAKOUT VII

The role of the equity professional is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Once viewed primarily as administrators and technical experts, today’s equity leaders are expected to serve as strategic advisors—educating executives, influencing enterprise-wide decisions, and proactively managing risk in an increasingly complex environment.

In this session, industry experts with decades of hands-on experience will share candid reflections from their professional journeys, offering rare perspective on how the role has evolved and what has remained constant. Drawing on real-world lessons learned at the highest levels, speakers will explore shifting expectations from executives and boards, how to build lasting equity literacy across the company, and what it truly takes to move from execution to influence.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Gain perspective from seasoned industry leaders on how the equity role has evolved over time and what future equity professionals must understand to remain relevant and influential
  • Understand changing expectations from executives and boards, and learn practical approaches to building enterprise-wide equity literacy and trust
  • Learn how to elevate your impact by leveraging data, storytelling, and proactive risk management to influence strategy and strengthen your organizational and career positioning
LOCATION:
JW Grand Salon 5
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Thursday, 23 Apr 2026, 09:30 - 10:20
Design and strategy
Employee engagement
7.6 The Architecture of Equity: How to Build an ESPP That Lasts

Liz Stoudt, Infinite Equity (US)
Amy Henry, The Coca-Cola Company (IE)

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT VII

A well-designed ESPP is more than a benefit—it’s a powerful tool for fostering ownership, engagement, and alignment across your organization. But creating a lasting program requires a strong foundation.
In this session, participants will explore the essential elements of sustainable ESPP design, from aligning with corporate objectives and managing financial trade-offs to navigating compliance and global complexities. Attendees will gain a practical framework for evaluating plan features, modeling participation, and future-proofing their ESPP to meet evolving workforce and market needs. 

Whether you’re refreshing an existing plan or launching a new one, this session provides actionable tools and strategic insights to build an ESPP that endures.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how to align your ESPP with corporate goals, financial strategy, and workforce objectives for long-term impact.
  • Gain insights into managing regulatory, tax, and operational challenges across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Discover strategies for modeling participation, evaluating plan features, and adapting your ESPP to evolving workforce and market needs.
LOCATION:
401
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Thursday, 15 Jun 2023, 13:00 - 13:50
Design and strategy
EQUITY SMARTS UNVEILED: A LIVELY TALK SHOW EXPERIENCE

SPEAKERS: Emily Cervino, FGE, Fidelity (US), Cherie Curry, FGE, Hilton (US), Sandra Sussman, FGE, SAP (US), Robyn Shutak, FGE, Infinite Equity (US)

Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Join this dynamic foursome as they unravel the complexities of equity compensation in a fun and interactive talk show format. These expert hosts will share their invaluable advice on best practices and emerging trends in equity compensation while providing insights into future challenges.

With their freewheeling style and extensive expertise, the panel are known for tackling challenging problems, sourcing elusive data, and engaging in lively debates on various equity practices.

Don't miss this engaging talk show experience, where you'll gain valuable insights, practical advice, and thought-provoking discussions on the ever-evolving world of equity compensation.

Attendees will learn:

  • The impact of market volatility and economic downturns on equity plans and gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate these variables effectively.
  • More about the evolving landscape of equity compensation and the pressing issue of pay equity, staying informed on the latest developments and exploring strategies to ensure fairness and equality.
  • The significance of vesting periods and the emerging role of social media in connecting employees with their equity awards while discovering innovative ways to engage and motivate their workforce.
Thursday, 15 Jun 2023, 13:00 - 13:50
Personal Development
NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS AT WORK

SPEAKER: Beatrice Hackett, Coaching in Motion (UK)

Global
BREAKOUT VIII

The world in which we live and work is full of transitions, endings, new beginnings and everything in between. From getting a big promotion and working out how we want to respond to rebuilding after losing our job, to moving back to working in the office: transitions that happen in our business and personal lives can test our sense of self. Whatever the transition, rarely does the workplace offer the space to explore their impact of the transitions in a way that enables us to navigate them and emerge stronger.

In this interactive and immersive session, there will be room to discuss and reflect on transitions that you may encounter.

Attendees will learn:

  • The difference between a change and transition in the workplace using the Transition Coaching Method.
  • What their natural response is to transitions.
  • How to navigate transitions and develop tools that can be taken back into the workplace.
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Employee engagement
8.1 High-impact employee engagement strategies for equity awards

Donald Hairston, UBS
Mike Reinschmidt, Accenture
Keri Gill, Applied Materials

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Join our esteemed panel of equity compensation experts as they unravel the keys to successful engagement in our session, "Engaging Beyond Boundaries: Strategies for Effective Equity Communication." Delve into the intricacies of crafting and adhering to a multi-channel communications plan, essential for lasting engagement. Explore the imperative need for equity award recipients to have accessible and knowledgeable advisors, fluent in the language of equity compensation and well-versed in country-specific rules. 
In this session, witness the impact of providing digital tools that enable participants to contextualize equity awards within their broader financial context. Additionally, discover the art of setting meaningful benchmarks to gauge the success of your efforts and identify shifts in employee engagement and participation.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Discover how to craft an effective multi-channel communications plan
  • Explore the importance of providing accessible and knowledgeable equity advisors
  • Learn how to empower participants with digital tools for financial context

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Communication 
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 4


Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Design and strategy
8.2 Global and mobile taxes – Advanced topics with an experienced panel

Justin Pon, Morgan Stanley at Work
AmyLynn Flood, Vialto Partners
Leann Balbona, FGE, KPMG
Sean Trotman, FGE, Deloitte
Cathy Goonetilleke, EY

Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

An interactive educational forum in a roundtable format that will let us dive deep into the complexities of managing a tax compliant process when offering equity to global and mobile employees. Speakers, moderators and participants will discuss best practices and pain points of managing the taxation of a complex international and mobile population, and share the challenges they might have experienced managing these obligations on equity compensation. 
Attendees will leave this session with an enhanced knowledge on options to handle the taxation of complex international and mobile participant populations, the application of these issues to specific countries, and new ideas on how they might transform their process to meet their equity administration responsibilities.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  •  Best practices for managing a complex international and state mobile population
  • Current challenges that our panel has seen in their practices, and ways that these challenges were addressed
  • Application of these best practices and challenges when managing tax obligations for equity compensation in select example countries

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Tax
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Midtown 1
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Design and strategy
8.3 A little French conversation: market practices in France

Matthieu Gonbert, Banque Transatlantique
Orianne Acheriteguy, Deloitte Société d'Avocats
Ramon Dominguez, Lucid Motors

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
France
BREAKOUT VIII

A comprehensive session led by a panel of esteemed French and US experts, offering exclusive insights into the intricate landscape of Long-Term Incentive (LTI) plans in France. With over 100,000 French beneficiaries and 100 corporate clients, Banque Transatlantique brings a unique perspective on market trends, complemented by Deloitte's benchmark of 800 European listed companies. Understand the nuances of LTIs, from exotic taxation to market practices and competitor benchmarks. Explore allocation policies, including amount, conditions, and ESG considerations. Gain an overview of the panel demographics and delve into the decision-making process for offering LTIs in alignment with French market trends.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Overview of panel demographics and general figures
  • Understanding allocation policies, including amount and ESG factors
  • Decision-making considerations for offering LTIs in line with French market trends

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 1
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Employee engagement
8.4 Hit the right note with your long term incentives: tailoring end-to-end communications

Adam Bryan, Deloitte
Toby Morrow, Rio Tinto

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Discover the transformative potential of a personalized employee experience in revolutionizing your Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) engagement with insights from Rio Tinto and Deloitte's expert panel. Explore strategies that support understanding and foster connection at every stage of the employee LTIP journey, from grant to vest, thereby cultivating sustained engagement among senior employees and enhancing overall performance outcomes. Uncover the latest trends and best practices in LTIP engagement, showcasing how personalized communications, including animation, can simplify complex concepts like performance measures in an effective and authentic manner. Join them to unlock the power of personalized communications, elevate your LTIP strategy, and propel your incentives to new heights.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how a personalized employee experience can enhance engagement throughout the LTIP journey
  • Explore the latest trends and best practices in LTIP engagement, including the use of personalized communications and animation
  • Discover how personalized communications can simplify intricate concepts, such as performance measures, fostering a deeper understanding among employees

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Communication
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 2
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Legal and regulatory
8.5 Potential pitfalls of cross-border stock awards

Jennifer George, PwC
Mark Jones, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Vanessa Renna, Thermofisher Scientific

Discount shares
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Equity deferral
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Dive deep into the intricate world of global compliance with our expert panel. Explore the potential compliance traps stock plan administrators must navigate, from unfavorable tax outcomes for both employees and employers to securities registration hurdles, currency exchange complexities, and disclosure requirements under local law. Uncover the latest legal developments reshaping stock plans, including insights into the new EU-US Data Privacy Framework and proposed EU cybersecurity regulations (DORA). 
Join them for a comprehensive discussion that unveils the intricacies of global compliance, ensuring you're equipped to steer your cross-border stock plans through the regulatory landscape.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Uncover identifying compliance traps in cross-border stock plans
  • Explore navigating tax, securities, and currency exchange challenges
  • Stay informed on recent legal developments

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Business Law
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O