Join the inaugural class of the Future Leaders of Global Equity as they explore the real business case for equity compensation. Drawing on fresh survey data, broader industry research, and insights from the thought leadership paper Making the Business Case for Equity-Based Compensation: A Practical Framework for Driving Equity Adoption, this forward-looking session goes beyond fundamentals to deliver a structured, outcome-driven approach to equity strategy.

Designed for practitioners ready to elevate their impact, this session provides a practical framework for aligning equity programs directly with organizational strategy, talent philosophy, and measurable business outcomes. From accelerating high-impact performance and supporting global expansion to strengthening retention and fostering an ownership-driven culture, you’ll learn how to clearly articulate and defend your equity strategy in today’s complex environment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Build a clear, evidence-backed business case for equity using financial, talent, and cultural performance data.
• Align discretionary and broad-based equity programs with broader corporate strategy and measurable outcomes.
• Navigate global complexity and participant education challenges to maximize adoption and ROI.

In today’s fast-changing global landscape, equity planning is more complex than ever. This panel brings together senior leaders from multiple regions to discuss how they approach strategic equity planning in the face of uncertainty—regulatory shifts, workforce mobility, and market volatility. Through real-world scenarios, the panelists will share their approaches to balancing risk, innovation, and long-term talent alignment.

The session will simulate a “war room” environment: the moderator presents challenging scenarios, and panelists debate strategic responses while sharing lessons learned. Fellows in the audience will have the opportunity to weigh in and discuss how they might approach each situation.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• How to design flexible equity programs that can adapt to regulatory, economic, and political changes.
• Strategic approaches to keep key talent engaged in volatile markets.
• Panelists analyze hypothetical equity challenges—e.g., sudden cross-border regulatory change, a major M&A, or market disruption.

What does the hospitality industry—restaurants, hotels, and other service-led brands—have in common with your ESPP? One shared challenge: creating demand in a crowded, high-choice environment.

In this focus session, these experts will draw on their unique experience across both equity compensation and hospitality to share five proven, people-driven lessons that can be directly applied to ESPP design and communication. Borrowing from the hospitality playbook, this session focuses on how perceived value, accessibility, messaging, and social influence shape participation decisions.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Apply hospitality-inspired thinking to ESPP design, including how employees perceive discounts, matches, and overall value.
• Learn how hospitality reduces friction and stays top of mind—and how those tactics translate to cash vs. cashless ESPPs and ongoing communication.
• Leverage messaging, exclusivity, and peer influence to boost awareness, enrollment, and sustained ESPP participation.
   

Equity compensation is often one of the most complex and sensitive aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and spin-outs. When a transaction occurs, decisions around vesting, acceleration, and award treatment can significantly affect deal outcomes, retention, and employee morale.

This session offers a practical overview of the key equity compensation issues that arise in M&A transactions, illustrated through two contrasting case studies: Rentokil’s £4.5bn merger with U.S.-listed Terminix and Magnum Ice Cream’s spin-out from Unilever. The discussion will focus on how companies approach equity plan mechanics, manage conflicting provisions, and navigate tax and regulatory constraints.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand how vesting, acceleration, and change-in-control provisions are applied, and when cash-out, rollover, or top-up structures may be appropriate.
• Learn how to address conflicting plan terms and navigate key tax, accounting, and securities considerations that shape equity outcomes.
• Explore practical approaches to motivating employees and aligning incentives during and after M&A activity.