Join this session to uncover the latest trends in global share plans with highlights from the 12th annual Global Equity Insights Survey (GEIS) 2024. This unique survey reveals crucial insights into how companies worldwide use equity, focusing on Long Term Incentives (LTIs), Share Purchase Plans (SPPs), and talent.

The panel will also explore survey findings on how companies are harnessing the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for their equity compensation strategies, showcasing real-world applications and best practices.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Discover the latest trends in global share plans from the 2024 Global Equity Insights Survey, including LTIs and SPPs
• Gain insights into how AI is revolutionising equity compensation strategies
• Learn best practices and emerging trends in equity-based compensation to apply in your company

Are you ready for the future of pay transparency? Prepare for the future of pay transparency with our session on the EU's upcoming 'Pay Transparency Directive.' Set to roll out by June 2026, this legislation will affect all member states. Discover what this means for share plan professionals and gain insights on navigating the challenges ahead.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand the implications of the EU's 'Pay Transparency Directive' for share plan professionals
• Identify key challenges and considerations for complying with the new legislation
• Receive a roadmap to help plan and ensure compliance with the directive.

AI: coming for a job near you! Or is it? In this full and frank fireside chat, GEO's Gabbi Stopp will moderate a discussion with two highly-experienced, leading lights in the global equity space, Mark Higgins of WPP and Julie Shepherd of Sage Group. Both these firms are already harnessing the transformative power of AI across their businesses, and are actively exploring AI's potential for aspects of equity compensation. Both these speakers have charted highly successful careers in global equity issuance. Join us to engage with the biggest challenge and opportunity for our industry, and come away informed, inspired and hopefully, illuminated!

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Discover how WPP and Sage Group are integrating AI into their equity compensation strategies
• Gain insights into the opportunities and challenges AI presents for the global equity industry
• Learn from the experiences of leading experts in global equity issuance on harnessing AI's transformative power.

Equity compensation has always been hardwired into the Prysmian business model and operations approach. Join this session to explore how Prysmian transformed employee ownership with their YES and BE IN Employee Share Purchase Plans (ESPP). Discover the journey from launching the BE IN plan for blue-collar workers in 2023 to expanding ownership across 30 countries.

In this case-study panel, you'll learn how Prysmian designed, implemented, and managed these plans to cater to diverse employee demographics, achieving 46% employee ownership globally. Hear about their strategic approach, including educational initiatives and overcoming cultural and language challenges.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn how Prysmian successfully segmented and managed share plans for different employee groups, increasing global ownership
• Discover effective strategies for educating employees about share plans to ensure understanding and engagement
• Understand how Prysmian navigated cultural and language differences to implement share plans in 30 countries.

Join this session to explore how private companies leverage share plans strategically to drive growth and enhance employee engagement. These plans serve as potent incentives, aligning employees' interests with the long-term success of the company. They foster a sense of ownership and commitment that can be challenging to achieve with non-equity-based rewards.

The panel will cover navigating the use of equity in private equity-backed portfolio companies, exploring pathways to achieve liquidity for private companies, and understanding the mechanics of growth shares and their potential for tax efficiencies. They will also examine how traditional tax-advantaged plans can be optimised to maximise benefits and discuss fostering an employee ownership culture through initiatives like employee ownership trusts (EOT) and broader employee plans. Additionally, considerations for private companies when extending equity on an international scale will be covered.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• A clear understanding of how share plans align employee interests with company growth
• Insight into effective strategies for achieving liquidity in private companies
• Knowledge of the benefits and tax efficiencies associated with using growth shares.

Join this session to uncover how Allianz and EY teamed up since 2018 to expand the Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP) globally, now reaching 43 countries from an initial 30, and see how employee ownership at Allianz soared from just 9% to over 70%.

You’ll learn firsthand how EY navigated tax and legal landscapes while tailoring plans to fit each country's unique needs, balancing consistency with local relevance. Discover Allianz’s approach to boosting participation rates above 29% through centralised communication and innovative initiatives like employee investors days and a customised plan administrator platform.

Plus, delve into the Free Share program integrated with the ESPP, which underscores Allianz’s commitment to sustainability and its core mission of securing the future.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn how Allianz grew their Employee Share Purchase Plan to 43 countries, boosting employee shareholder rates
• Discover EY's approach to maintaining tax and legal compliance while tailoring plans for different countries
• Understand how centralised communication and customer-friendly initiatives increased participation in Allianz's ESPP

Explore the intricate landscape of equity grants to non-employee service providers in our expert panel session. Uncover the unique challenges that global issuers encounter when extending equity grants to independent contractors, PEO/EOR-engaged individuals, and more. Dive into the multifaceted considerations encompassing corporate governance, local securities, foreign exchange, and tax laws worldwide. 
Hear firsthand about Marriott International, Inc.'s triumphs in managing its global equity compensation program, addressing the challenges encountered.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Identify securities law, foreign exchange, and tax risks in non-employee equity grants
• Exploring best practices for compliance with local laws
• Understanding Marriott International, Inc.'s strategies for managing non-employee equity compensation on a global scale

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

As workplaces become increasingly geographically diverse, achieving not just pay parity but also benefit parity poses significant challenges. With variations in tax, labor laws, and social systems across countries, coupled with distinct corporate cultures, aligning benefits such as retirement and equity compensation becomes a complex task. Join our expert panel as they delve into the intricacies of global benefits harmonization, sharing insights on overcoming these hurdles. Join them in unraveling the complexities of global equity and benefit strategies in the modern, diverse workplace.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Navigate the challenges posed by diverse tax, labor, and social systems
• Address variations in corporate culture impacting benefit alignment
• Gain insights into successful strategies employed by companies to harmonize global benefits

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.