All plan types | Global Equity Organization

ARTICLE

25 November 2025

AML GUIDANCE WARNING OVER IRISH SHARE ARRANGEMENTS

Pinsent Masons

Legal and regulatory

All plan types

Ireland

Practitioners advising on Irish employee and executive share schemes have been warned to exercise caution after the Law Society highlighted evolving anti-money laundering (AML) guidance. Under Ireland’s Criminal Justice Act 2010, nominee companies holding shares on behalf of employees may now be considered trust or company service providers (TSCPs), requiring authorisation from the Department of Justice. While the law hasn’t changed, the shift in AML practice means employers and advisors must carefully review nominee arrangements to ensure compliance and avoid potential offences.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

28 November 2025

THE BUDGET DELIVERS MIXED MESSAGES ON EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

BDO

Legal and regulatory

All plan types

UK and Channel Islands

The Budget made contrasting changes for employee ownership, reducing the capital gains tax relief for shareholders selling to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) from 100% to 50%, which could disadvantage those mid-sale and dampen enthusiasm for EOTs. Conversely, reforms to Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) share option schemes were welcomed, with expanded eligibility, higher thresholds, longer option terms, and reduced administrative burdens, making EMI schemes more attractive for companies and employees. The inconsistency—cutting incentives for full employee ownership while enhancing tax advantages for EMI share options—has drawn criticism for sending mixed signals about the government’s support for employee ownership.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

27 January 2026

31 MARCH 2026: SHARE SCHEME REPORTING DEADLINE FOR EMPLOYERS AND TRUSTEES

McCann FitzGerald

Finance, tax and accounting

All plan types

UK and Channel Islands

The annual deadline for employers and trustees to report all 2025 share scheme activity to Revenue is 31 March 2026, with different forms required depending on the type of share incentive and event, filed either online via ROS or by paper. Non-compliance can result in financial penalties, loss of tax-advantaged scheme approval, and Revenue intervention, with share schemes under increased scrutiny in recent years. Employers and trustees should now review and reconcile their 2025 activity with payroll records, ensure correct tax reporting, and consider whether their share schemes remain aligned with business objectives.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

8 December 2025

SHARES IN MOTION- DEAL DELIBERATIONS

CMS

Private and pre-IPO companies

All plan types

UK and Channel Islands

Company sales typically trigger employee share awards, creating complexity across different plan types, tax treatments, and jurisdictions, so early planning is essential to avoid disrupting the transaction. Clear, timely communication with employees about how the sale affects their awards, timing, consideration, and tax implications is critical to maintaining engagement and ensuring a smooth transition. Global and regulatory nuances—especially for tax-advantaged plans and cross-border workforces—make structured, well-supported communication and advice key to successful exits.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

3 September 2025

ELIS ANNOUNCES A 2025 “ELIS FOR ALL” EMPLOYEE SHARE OWNERSHIP PLAN

GlobalNewsWire

Case Study

All plan types

France

Elis has launched its 2025 “Elis for All” employee share ownership plan, offering eligible employees in France and 20 other countries the chance to subscribe to company shares through two capital increases capped at €2 million (0.85% of share capital). The plan uses a classic structure with a 30% discount on the reference share price and a matching contribution of one free share for every 10 subscribed, with holding periods of five years in France and three years internationally. The subscription period runs from 16 September to 2 October 2025, with new shares expected to be admitted to trading on Euronext Paris after completion in November 2025.

READ ARTICLE

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

19 March 2026, 5:30 - 7:30pm EDT

ATLANTA CHAPTER MEETING

Atlanta, GA

Trending now

All plan types

USA

JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ATLANTA CHAPTER MEETING OF 2026

Kick off the year with an interactive discussion exploring the evolution of Rule 10b5-1 trading plans—where they originated, how they’ve changed, and what those changes mean in practice today.

This session will break down what a 10b5-1 trading plan is, the regulatory backdrop behind its original design, and how recent mandates have reshaped their implementation and use.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

The core mechanics of 10b5-1 trading plans and the historical context that shaped their original intent
How recent regulatory developments have significantly changed plan requirements, governance, and reporting
Practical strategies for navigating today’s landscape—balancing compliance while still meeting executive needs

LOCATION
OpenArc Corporate Advisory Office
One Phipps Plaza
6th Floor
3550 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

Thank you to our host:

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

11 February 2026, 4:40 - 6:40pm PST

NORCAL ANNUAL WINTER SOCIAL

San Francisco, CA

Trending now

All plan types

USA

NORCAL ANNUAL WINTER SOCIAL

The GEO NorCal Chapter wishes you a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!

To kick off 2026 together, we are delighted to invite you to our Annual Winter Social, taking place in person on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, at the Harborview Restaurant in the downtown San Francisco Financial District.

Join us for an evening of great conversation, networking, and celebration as we reconnect and start the year on a high note. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating the beginning of another exciting year for our NorCal community.

We hope to see you there!

The GEO NorCal Chapter Team

LOCATION:
Harbourview Restaurant
4 Embarcadero Center,
Street Level Drumm Street &, Sacramento St,
San Francisco, CA 94111

We hope to see you there!

The GEO NorCal Chapter Team

SPONSORED BY

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

9 March 2026, 8:15 - 11am CET

NORDIC CHAPTER MEETING

Stockholm, Sweden

Trending now

All plan types

Sweden

FROM STRATEGY TO PSYCHOLOGY: MASTERING EQUITY INCENTIVES IN THE NORDICS

SPEAKERS: Michal Henrik, PWC | Peter Sigfrid, PWC | Kristina Wichmann, Allshares

Session One: Trends and Benchmarks for Equity-Based Incentive Programs in the Nordics

Stay ahead of the curve in the evolving Nordic compensation landscape. This session provides a deep dive into the latest benchmark data and market shifts impacting equity-based rewards across the region. We will move beyond the numbers to analyze the primary drivers behind these trends and offer a practical framework for designing multi-country Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs) that remain compliant, competitive, and scalable.

Session Two: The Human Behaviors Behind Equity Incentives

A perfectly structured equity plan only delivers value if your employees understand and appreciate it. This session bridges the gap between financial design and human psychology. Featuring the latest findings from the Allshares Equity Participant and Engagement Survey, we explore the "why" behind participant behavior. Join us to discover how data-driven changes in communication and administration can maximize the perceived value of your plans while simultaneously reducing operational costs.

LOCATION:
PwC
Torsgatan 21
Stockholm, Sweden

FEES:
There is no cost to attend this chapter meeting, but registration is required.

Both GEO members and non-members are welcome.

LIVE WEBCAST

14 May 2026, 1 - 2pm EDT

INSIDE CANADIAN EQUITY PLANS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Andrew Schwartz, Computershare
Cynthia Gosselin, Computershare
Katherine Leung, EY

All plan types

Canada

Canada offers a wide range of equity compensation plans for Canadian employees, each with its own set of advantages, compliance requirements, and tax reporting obligations.

Through a panel discussion addressing issuer, administrator, and employee perspectives, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how different Canadian equity plans are administered throughout the lifecycle—from initial enrollment, to dividend payment, to sale of shares, and the resulting taxation and reporting requirements. The panel will also discuss how these requirements come together in practice, current CRA enforcement activities, and best practices.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Learn the key differences between Canadian equity plans, including their benefits, limitations, and applicable tax and reporting requirements.
Gain practical insight into issuer, administrator, and employee responsibilities for accurate tax tracking, withholding, and reporting for Canadian participants.
Take away actionable best practices to improve compliance and administration.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.0 credits *CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only.

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST

Members: Free access — Live and on-demand
Non-members: $85 per webcast — Live and on-demand

Unlock unlimited access! Join GEO from just $375/year and watch every webcast free—live or on-demand plus more member perks!

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

11 February 2026, 11:30am - 1:30pm CST

TEXAS CHAPTER MEETING

AUSTIN, TX

Trending now

All plan types

USA

DON'T MISS OUR FIRST CHAPTER MEETING OF 2026!

Join our Texas-based experts as they lead a live roundtable discussion from Austin, with in-person networking watch parties in Dallas and Houston.

Equity compensation is evolving rapidly—and some of the most impactful innovation starts with a great conversation. This interactive roundtable brings together stock plan professionals to exchange insights, share real-world experiences, and explore what’s next in equity compensation.

Expect a fast-moving, practitioner-led discussion covering plan design, communication, and administration, with practical takeaways on today’s biggest challenges—and the opportunities hidden within them.

Enjoy food, networking, and engaging conversation with peers who understand the realities of managing equity compensation today.

As an added bonus, attendees will be entered for a chance to win a free pass to the GEO Annual Conference in Austin, 21-23 April 2026.

LOCATIONS:

In-Person:
BDO
Austin Office
600 W. 5th Street
Suite 1400
Austin, TX 78701

Watch Party:
BDO
Dallas Office
600 North Pearl Street
Suite 1700
Dallas, TX 75201

Watch Party:
BDO
Houston Office
2929 Allen Parkway
20th Floor
Houston, TX 77019

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

We look forward to seeing you.

The Texas Chapter Team

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Subscribe to All plan types