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Starting 18 March 2026, the SEC will require non-US Foreign Private Issuers (FPIs) to comply with new Section 16(a) insider reporting rules under the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act. However, on 5 March 2026, the SEC granted exemptive relief for certain jurisdictions, delaying full application of the rules.

The 2026 Employee Share Plans Outlook reveals North American companies are transforming ESPPs and equity programs to boost financial wellbeing, attract talent, and stay competitive. Most plan major expansions or redesigns, signaling a shift toward more innovative, employee-focused equity strategies.

An IPO marks a major shift for executive compensation, bringing new stakeholders, stricter regulations, disclosure requirements, and trading restrictions tied to material non-public information (MNPI). To prepare, companies should establish a compensation committee, create a strong benchmarking peer group, review equity plans, define a clear compensation philosophy, and ensure compliance with evolving pay transparency and market abuse regulations. Executive education is also critical, as IPO-related equity compensation, lockups, blackout periods, and trading rules can be complex and may limit executives’ ability to access liquidity even after going public.

On 18 March 2026, the European Commission proposed “EU Inc.”, a new optional EU-wide corporate structure designed to simplify cross-border operations, boost competitiveness, and support startup growth through a harmonised set of corporate rules. A key feature is the introduction of EU employee stock option plans (EU-ESOs), which would allow companies to grant portable stock options across EU member states and defer taxation until the shares are sold, helping employees avoid “dry tax” on unrealised gains. The proposal would significantly change the treatment of share options in countries like Ireland by aligning EU-ESOs more closely with Ireland’s Key Employee Engagement Programme, and it is now under review by the European Parliament and Council with a target agreement date by the end of 2026.