Centrica’s relaunch of Sharesave—after a five-year gap—has delivered record-breaking employee engagement and participation. This real-life case study will showcase how Centrica used financial education, clear communication, and relatable storytelling to help colleagues understand the value of saving directly from pay, plan for the future, and experience those “lightbulb moments” about the benefits of share plans. With 2025 marking a milestone year—profit share vesting, a Sharesave maturity, and a Sharesave relaunch—this session will bring to life the strategies and results that made the initiative such a success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How financial education can demystify Sharesave and make the benefits tangible for employees. 
• Practical communication approaches that drive engagement and record take-up rates. 
• Lessons from Centrica’s case study that issuers can apply to their own share plan relaunch or refresh.

The turbulence of recent years has placed equity plan administrators at the center of economic and organizational challenges—from market volatility to corporate restructuring. This interactive roundtable will feature administrators who have successfully navigated diverse disruptions, sharing real-world experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for staying prepared. Participants will explore practical preparation checklists for handling market down-cycles, regulation changes, plan amendments, M&A, and restructuring, ensuring that the next wave of turbulence doesn’t catch them off guard.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Proven strategies administrators have used to navigate volatility, corporate actions, and regulatory change. 
• How to prepare for and respond to disruptive events with actionable checklists. 
• Lessons learned from real-world case studies to build resilience into equity plan administration.

Global Share Plan Ranking Report, which evaluates the “share friendliness” of 30+ countries. Developed in collaboration with leading experts in the design, implementation, and administration of employee share schemes, the report examines operating environments, adoption rates, and employee participation levels. Attendees will discover which countries lead the way in fostering employee share plans and learn how these practices can drive organizational growth while enhancing employee prosperity.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Insights into the global landscape of employee share schemes and which countries are leading the way.
• How operating environments, adoption, and participation rates influence the success of share plans.
• Practical takeaways for leveraging international best practices to enhance your own equity programs.

Tax withholding on equity awards can be a major challenge, particularly for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions with differing rules. This session will uncover the “crown jewels” of global withholding, offering practical insights, strategic approaches, and legal considerations to navigate both common and complex challenges. Our expert panel will address key issues including determining withholding rates and taxable amounts, selecting appropriate methods for different equity vehicles, managing obligations for employees and non-employees, and the role of brokers in covering taxes. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to stay compliant, avoid pitfalls, and optimize their withholding processes.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How to determine the correct withholding rate, taxable amount, and method for various equity plans. 
• Practical approaches to managing withholding obligations across multiple jurisdictions and employee types. 
• Strategies to mitigate risks, address failures to withhold, and leverage brokers effectively.

This expert panel will deliver an explorative discussion covering two interconnected topics: current industry insights on executive pay—including trends from recent AGM activity—and the measurement of Return on Investment (ROI) for Employee Share Plans (ESPs). Panellists will share their experiences in securing board and shareholder approval, addressing both internal and external challenges. The session will also establish key ROI metrics for evaluating ESPs, such as retention, engagement, and attraction, and explore whether ESPs can drive share price increases through a motivated workforce achieving targets.

KEY LEARNING POINTS: 

• Understand emerging trends and shareholder expectations shaping executive pay decisions.
• Learn practical approaches for defining and measuring ROI in Employee Share Plans.
• Discover how linking ESP outcomes to business performance can enhance employee motivation and potentially impact share value.
   

Navigating Capital Gains Tax (CGT) can be a daunting challenge for UK employees, but NatWest Group is turning complexity into clarity. This session will explore how NatWest supports employees throughout the CGT journey—from initial awareness to understanding available options, such as ISA, pension, or spousal/civil partner transfers, through to confidently completing tax returns. Central to this approach is NatWest’s bespoke CGT base cost calculator, which simplifies calculations across multiple share plans while serving as an educational resource. Attendees will discover how effective tools, resources, and guidance can transform a complex tax scenario into an engaging and empowering employee experience, increasing appreciation for the value of share ownership across the organization.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How to provide employees with practical tools and guidance to navigate CGT across multiple share plans. 
• The impact of effective CGT support on employee engagement, confidence, and overall experience. 
• Lessons from NatWest’s approach to transforming complex tax scenarios into accessible and educational experiences.