Discover the award-winning strategies of Amazon and Google in transforming global share plans. Amazon, winner of ‘Best Use of Technology’ in 2024, will delve into how their VIA system automated complex LOA and COS processes for 400,000+ equity-eligible employees across 60 countries, ensuring compliance, reducing errors, and enhancing efficiency through real-time vesting visibility. Google, winner of ‘Best Use of Technology,’ in 2023 will showcase Project Nutella, their automation initiative that saved 1,500+ hours annually while enhancing accuracy, productivity, and participant experiences.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Identify key processes within your equity plans that are prime candidates for automation, and learn how to integrate technology to save time, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency.
• Develop strategies to build modular, adaptable equity management systems that can scale with your company and incorporate evolving regulations, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Create effective communication and stakeholder collaboration plans to attract employee buy-in and participation in your equity plans, leveraging insights from successful ambassador programs and data-driven decision-making.

Equity awards come with great responsibility—tax obligations, broker account management, and financial health considerations. This interactive session will explore how to design a comprehensive education program that empowers employees to fully understand and appreciate their stock compensation. Learn how a multi-layered approach can enhance engagement with equity awards and foster greater financial wellness across your workforce.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Strategies for developing a multi-layered education program on equity awards.
• How to boost employee appreciation of stock compensation and its long-term benefits.
• Best practices for promoting financial wellness alongside equity plan education.

In this session, the panel will explore the key restrictions impacting equity compensation today, from 'soft' restrictions such as shareholder approval ('say on pay') and progressive tax rates, to reputational risks, disclosure requirements, and litigation (including high-profile cases like the Elon Musk case).

This session will also address how these constraints influence equity plan structuring, and delve into the "hard" restrictions that companies face, especially in today’s evolving political environment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the impact of shareholder approval, 'say on pay', and progressive tax rates on equity compensation decisions.
• Explore the risks around disclosure, reputational challenges, and litigation, including implications from high-profile cases.
• Debate the effects of the current political climate on both 'hard' and 'soft' restrictions in equity plan structuring.

Since its establishment in 1993, the Czech Republic has seen significant changes in equity compensation. Our panelists, who began their careers around that time, will discuss the evolution of accounting, tax, and regulatory legislation, and their impact on common equity plan practices. We will also explore how employee expectations and corporate practices have evolved. The session will conclude with a look at current and future trends, including the effects of the global talent war, technological advancements, and corporate ownership on equity compensation.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understanding the global evolution of equity compensation and its regulatory impacts.
• Exploring how employee expectations and corporate practices have shaped equity plans.
• Considering the future of equity compensation in light of global talent trends and technological changes.

Rolls-Royce has introduced share ownership to its global workforce across 30 countries for the first time, launching with a free share award to help employees become shareholders. This initiative was followed by a share purchase and matching plan, offering employees flexible participation options. The focus on clear communication and seamless enrolment has been key to the plan's success.

In this session, join representatives from Rolls-Royce, plan administrator EQ, legal advisors from Tapestry, and communications experts from Eximia as they discuss the design and implementation of this ground-breaking program. They’ll share insights on their objectives, strategies for overcoming challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Discover the approach to designing an inclusive global equity plan with multiple participation options to cater to diverse employee needs.
• Learn how clear communication and easy enrolment were crucial for the success of the global share plan rollout.
• Gain insights on what worked, what could be improved, and how to apply these lessons to future global equity initiatives.

Get ready for an engaging update from the world of global stock plan administration! This session combines learning with friendly competition, offering a chance to explore the latest trends in global equity through an interactive trivia game.

Compete with fellow equity administrators in a fun, thought-provoking challenge.

Test your knowledge on key topics, stay ahead of industry changes, and refine your strategies—all while enjoying the contest and competing for prizes and bragging rights!

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Global tax, mobility management and compliance essentials
• Touch on valuable GEO resources including the Global Share Plans Ranking Study and the 2024 Global Equity Insights Study
• Delve into tax withholding practices, new country-specific regulation, 83(b) elections,accounting nuances, valuation and financial reporting strategies

Join this session for a comprehensive session on preparing your equity team for a successful start to the New Year.

Learn how to adhere to T+1, ensure data integrity, and foster collaboration among HR, Payroll, and IT to meet deadlines.

The panel will also cover how to review your share plan, set parameters, and conduct essential software testing for a smooth transition into 2025.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Master best practices for preparing your equity team for a strong Q1 start
• Navigate challenges and strategies for tax filings, T+1 adherence, and data integrity
• Understand the importance of interdepartmental communication and centralized software, and learn essential software testing procedures for Q1 audits

Setting up an employee share plan involves crucial decisions about sourcing shares and managing sales effectively. Join Ghal and Tom from EQ's Corporate Dealing team, Ben McCarthy from Linklaters and Rob Lyons from M&S as they share their extensive experience in this area.  They’ll cover current trends in sourcing shares, looking at new issue or market purchase, along with key considerations for an issuer and their finance team.  Discover strategies for hedging, managing large share sales and using the Employee Benefit Trust to your advantage. There will be focus on the recent changes to dilution limits in the Investment Association’s Principles of Remuneration.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn strategies for sourcing shares, planning in advance for your share plan vesting whilst managing headroom and dilution limits.
• Understand how an issuer can use various approaches across their share plan grants to keep their finance team and employees happy.
• Discover effective liquidity management techniques to ensure an orderly market at vesting.

Employee share plans play a critical role in fostering employee engagement, retention, and alignment with business objectives. In this panel session, we will explore how leading FTSE companies have implemented and adapted their employee share plans to suit their unique business strategies. Join us as industry experts discuss their real-world experiences, challenges, and key takeaways from designing and managing these initiatives.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Gain insights into how different FTSE companies structure their employee share plans to reflect their organizational goals and cultures.
• Understand common obstacles faced during implementation and management of employee share plans, and explore strategies to overcome them.
• Learn how employee share plans are leveraged to reinforce company values, drive business performance, and support long-term strategic objectives.

Navigating legal and tax compliance for new or existing plans can be daunting. Join our panel of experienced issuers and advisors as we spotlight three key compliance hotspots: securities laws, foreign exchange, and translations. Experts from Tapestry will guide you on prioritising compliance efforts this year and tackling challenges in hotspot countries. Hear from Sage and Rolls-Royce about their experiences with global expansion.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn where to focus your compliance efforts for the biggest impact
• Discover strategies for managing securities laws, foreign exchange, and translations
• Gain insights from Sage and Rolls-Royce on overcoming key issues in global expansion