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GEO INSIGHTS

ACCESS THE LATEST GLOBAL EQUITY COMPENSATION INSIGHTS

Read industry news, explore technical updates, access ideas on global employee compensation innovation, and find ways to connect.

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NEWS
2 August 2023
THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO BE CEO ARE IN DECLINE
article

Geoff Colvin

Executive pay
Trending now
Executive plans
Performance shares
Global

The article explores the decreasing financial incentive to become a CEO, as other C-suite roles are earning increasingly higher salaries. While the CEO position has historically been seen as the pinnacle of corporate success, this perception is changing due to various factors. The job is becoming more challenging as employees gain more power and the role becomes more politicized. Additionally, the compensation of other C-suite executives like the CFO, CHRO, and general counsel has been rising at a faster rate than that of CEOs. The narrowing pay gap within the C-suite is seen as a positive development for corporate governance and healthy discourse. Factors contributing to rising pay for other C-suite roles include job-hopping becoming more accepted, employers offering stock grants to retain valued executives, and increased responsibilities for roles like the CFO. Furthermore, positions below the CEO often avoid public scrutiny, which can be appealing to candidates who want to avoid controversy and threats associated with being a public-facing CEO. As a result, the allure of becoming a CEO may be diminishing in comparison to other C-suite roles.

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NEWS
1 August 2023
BDO TO ESTABLISH EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AS PART OF U.S. RESTRUCTURING
article

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal

Design and strategy
Stock options
USA

BDO USA plans to establish an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) for 10,000 employees to address the shortage of accountants and retain talent. The ESOP will allow employees to have a stake in the company. BDO partners will sell 42% of their shares, and the plan will take about 20 years to fully vest. The firm secured $1.3 billion in private debt to fund the ESOP. This move aims to modernize the accounting industry's traditional business model and attract and retain skilled workers.

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
28 May 2026, 12:30 - 2:30pm MDT
GREATER ROCKIES CHAPTER MEETING
utah may

Salt Lake City, UT

Trending now
All plan types
USA

JOIN GEO IN SALT LAKE CITY: EQUITY COMPENSATION ROUNDTABLE AND NETWORKING

SPEAKERS: Lenka Haase, Fidelity; | Andrew Barrus, Procore Technologies | Amberly Fullmer, Reddit | Michael McComas, Morgan Stanley Adam McDonald, Insightsoftware

We’re pleased to invite you to an engaging afternoon in Salt Lake City, bringing together equity compensation professionals for a focused and collaborative discussion on the evolving landscape of our field.

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to exploring the latest developments in equity compensation. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of plan administration or aiming to stay ahead of regulatory changes, this session offers a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day demands and engage in high-level, strategic discussion with your peers.

Through an interactive roundtable format, you’ll gain fresh perspectives, share experiences, and walk away with practical insights to help you address current challenges and plan for what’s ahead.

Following the session, stay with us for networking and a relaxed social gathering—an ideal chance to continue the conversation and strengthen connections within the local community.

We look forward to welcoming you in Salt Lake City!

LOCATION
Fidelity Salt Lake Office
49 N 400 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

REGISTRATION AND COST
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

NEWS
9 August 2023
2023 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MINIMUM WAGE FOR EMPLOYEES
article

SOURCE: Indeed Editorial Team

General
Australia

The article provides a comprehensive guide to the Australian minimum wage for employees as of August 9, 2023. It explains that the minimum wage is the lowest legal payment an employee can receive and outlines the differences between the national minimum wage and industry award minimum wages. The article covers how the minimum wage varies for different age groups, including juniors and apprentices, as well as for employees under the Supported Wage System. It also discusses penalty rates, allowances, superannuation, and the importance of addressing minimum wage breaches. The article emphasizes that the information provided is based on the available data at the time of writing and recommends seeking local resources for the latest updates.

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VIRTUAL COURSE
5 May 2026, 8am - 14 May 2026, 10am PDT
GLOBAL SHARE PLAN BASICS BOOTCAMP
may 2026 bootcamp

Virtual

All plan types
Global

A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL SHARE PLANS

Tailored for newcomers to the equity compensation industry, this comprehensive four-part educational program features experts from accounting, tax, legal, and administrative fields collaborating with issuer colleagues. Together, they deliver a globally-focused starter pack comprising core concepts and real-life case studies.

Ideal candidates are taking their first steps into their equity compensation career or those in related fields who are interested a ‘big picture’ basic overview of our industry.

Online classes are intentionally kept small to encourage interactive dialogues, allowing you to learn from both your peers and expert tutors.


 

NEWS
11 August 2023
TECHIES IN EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS HAVE GOT HIKES OF 8–12%: REPORT
article

Liji Narayan

Design and strategy
Executive pay
Stock options
Global

The article discusses pay hikes for technology professionals in startups, particularly in the early-stage startup environment. It notes that techies in early-stage startups have received wage hikes in the range of 8 to 12 percent, while those in small startups with fewer than 40 tech employees have seen increases of 15 to 20 percent for entry- and mid-level roles. The report also highlights that while some tech professionals have received significant hikes of 20 to 25 percent, this has been the case for only about 10 percent of the workforce. The article mentions the increasing importance of equity compensation, particularly employee stock option plans (ESOPs), in startups. It notes that around 70 percent of companies have seen a positive shift in outlook towards ESOPs, and senior-level executives are more willing to accept ESOPs compared to entry- and mid-level employees.

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
20 May 2026, 11:30am - 1:30pm EDT
TORONTO CHAPTER MEETING
toronto chapter meeting

Toronto

Trending now
All plan types
Canada

The GEO Toronto Chapter is delighted to invite you to a special in-person event in Montreal, bringing together the local equity compensation community for an engaging afternoon of learning, insight, and connection.

This dynamic program is designed to explore the latest trends, challenges, and strategies shaping today’s equity compensation landscape—equipping you with practical ideas and actionable takeaways to strengthen your programmes and enhance your impact as an equity leader.

Speakers: Amelie Desrochers, Deloitte; Sheila Frierson, Computershare

SESSION ONE: Myth Busters – Global Share Plans Unveiled
Cut through the noise and challenge common misconceptions around implementing global share plans. This interactive session will explore how local qualified plans—across the UK, US, and Ireland—can continue to deliver value within a global framework. Hear directly from industry experts and take the opportunity to have your questions answered in an open discussion.

SESSION TWO: Curious About the Future of Equity Compensation?
Be among the first to hear exclusive insights from the 2025 Global Equity Insights Survey. We’ll dive into emerging trends in reporting, equal pay, and the growing influence of AI on equity programmes—alongside key considerations for Canadian-based issuers. Expect fresh perspectives and practical insights you can apply immediately.

A light lunch will be provided, offering additional time to network with peers and continue the conversation.

We look forward to welcoming you in Montreal!

REGISTRATION AND COST
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

LOCATION
La Tour Deloitte
1190 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal
Suite 500
Quebec H3B 0M7
 

NEWS
4 August 2023
GOODBYE GENDER PAY GAP, HELLO EQUAL PAY
article

Dr. Luana Agius

General
Executive plans
European Union

The article discusses the recent efforts to address the gender pay gap in the European Union (EU). Despite the principle of equal pay being established in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the gender pay gap in the EU remains at around 14%. On March 30, 2023, the EU Parliament approved a Directive aimed at strengthening the application of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms.

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NEWS
30 September 2023
HOW TATA GROUP COMPANIES ARE UNLOCKING THE POWER OF EQUITY-BASED INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT & RETAIN TALENT
article

SOURCE: The Economic Times

Design and strategy
Trending now
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
India


Over the last two years, Tata Consumer Products, Tata Power, Tata Communications, Titan and Tata Elxsi began offering performance-based stock units, restricted stock units and employee stock options (ESOPs) – all forms of equity-based compensation – for the first time. The latest is Tata Power, which sought shareholder approval to issue ESOPs this month. A top Tata group executive said instruments like ESOPs help companies to ensure their compensation packages are close to industry trends.
 

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GO FURTHER WITH GEO

VIRTUAL 2023 ON DEMAND

GEO VIRTUAL 2023 - ON DEMAND

Access 20+ live, 30 'Best of Edinburgh sessions and an inspiring keynote on-demand.

Available until 15 September

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