As global trade policies evolve, tariffs are increasingly influencing more than just goods—they’re affecting how multinational companies design and administer employee share plans. In this session, industry experts will explore how tariff-driven costs and shifting regulations are adding complexity to equity compensation.

We'll consider how companies might adapt their strategies, redesign plans for resilience, and communicate effectively in a rapidly changing global landscape.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Discover how tariff pressures may reshape award design, plan localization, and performance metrics.
• Learn ways to keep participants engaged despite rising uncertainty and regional volatility.
• Get practical insights into “tariff-proofing” your equity plans for the future

Discover how companies can effectively prepare for IPOs by aligning stakeholders, fortifying financials, and ensuring equity plans are primed to scale for the demands of public markets. With the IPO pipeline showing signs of renewed activity, this roundtable offers a valuable platform to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and develop actionable strategies with peers and industry experts.
This interactive discussion will delve into critical aspects of the IPO process, spotlighting common equity-related roadblocks and practical solutions to address them. Participants will explore best practices for stakeholder alignment, financial readiness, and creating scalable share plans that can withstand the scrutiny of public markets.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Explore and discuss the steps required to align stakeholders and ensure financials are prepared for IPO scrutiny.
• Share insights into overcoming equity-related challenges and addressing common blockers.
• Discuss strategies to adapt and scale share plans to ensure a smooth transition to public markets.

Discover the power of an integrated rewards strategy that goes beyond equity plans to support employee financial wellness and overall well-being during this interactive roundtable. Participants will share experiences and explore how to combine equity, compensation, benefits, and wellness initiatives to attract and retain top talent while addressing the diverse needs of today’s workforce.
Through guided discussions, you’ll uncover actionable insights on creating cohesive total rewards strategies, the role of financial wellness programs in reducing workplace stress, and innovative ways to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Explore strategies for integrating compensation, equity, benefits, and non-monetary perks into a cohesive total rewards strategy.
• Explore how financial wellness programs can improve employees' overall well-being and reduce workplace stress.
• Share practical tools and strategies to design rewards programs that meet the diverse needs of a modern workforce, fostering higher satisfaction and retention.

In today’s competitive talent market, understanding the evolving landscape is essential to staying ahead. This session brings together experienced professionals and French companies to share best practices and insights into navigating the complexities of compensation and taxation in France. Gain actionable strategies to attract, retain, and motivate top talent while aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends and French tax regulations.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Hear and discuss recent changes in French tax laws and how CSR trends influence compensation strategies.
• Share and discuss the most effective compensation tools and how to incorporate them into your talent strategy.
• Exchange best practices for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.

Acquiring privately-owned and early-stage companies presents unique challenges for corporate issuers. This session explores how equity compensation strategies can help navigate these transactions, retain key talent, and align diverse management goals.
From competing with private equity firms for founder-led businesses to integrating teams with differing cultural norms, attendees will gain practical insights and examples of how tailored equity plans ensure competitive and effective outcomes.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Collaborate on how to structure equity offers that compete with private equity’s leveraged investment plans.
• Share strategies for retaining management post-acquisition and navigating transitions after private equity plans are settled.
• Discuss how equity compensation can help align cultures and behaviors, fostering synergy across teams in post-acquisition environments.

Explore Experian's groundbreaking global freeshare award initiative, which introduced share grants in countries where employees had never received them before. This session will reveal the unique challenges faced, including effective communication of plan details, ensuring employee understanding, and maximising participation rates. Discover how Experian incentivised long-term commitment with a bonus award for employees who retained their shares for three years. 

Attendees will gain insights into why employees favored shares over cash and how this aligns with Experian’s broader goals. Learn from Experian’s experience to enhance your own strategies for clear communication and driving employee engagement.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Discover the challenges and solutions for rolling out a global freeshare award initiative
• Learn how strategic incentives like bonus shares can boost employee retention and alignment with company goals
• Understand the importance of effective communication in maximising participation and employee engagement

Discover why cash-settling or using phantom awards can be a practical solution for global equity plans in this session. Our expert panel will demystify the process, covering when it’s appropriate to cash settle—such as in cases of complex administration or legal issues in regions like China, the Philippines, or Vietnam. Learn about different cash-settled structures, including how they compare to pure phantom awards, and gain insights into documentation, administration, and common pitfalls. Understand the risks involved, such as Canadian Salary Deferral Rules and securities laws impacting derivatives.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn when and why to use cash-settlement or phantom awards for global equity plans
• Explore different cash-settled structures and how to effectively document and administer them
• Identify potential risks and pitfalls, including regional legal issues and securities laws

Examine the impact of the current political climate in Western Europe on share plans and employee taxation with insights from our expert panel. The session will explore current trends, key tax, and legal challenges, and what to expect in the near future. Gain a broader understanding of emerging issues and how they might affect your share plans.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand how the political climate in Western Europe could influence share plans and employee taxation
• Identify key tax and legal challenges currently affecting and expected to impact share plans
• Gain insights into emerging issues across the continent and how they may affect your strategies

Discover how broad-based employee share ownership programs can be a game-changer for your organisation, especially during challenging times. This session will highlight the importance of cohesive teamwork, mutual trust, and accountability in achieving success.

Learn how inclusive and wide-reaching equity programs can attract, motivate, and retain employees. Hear from innovative companies about their successful equity plans and strategies, including special retention grants, celebration grants, and stock purchase plans. Explore how these programs can drive corporate strategic goals and maintain competitiveness in a tough talent market.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand the benefits of broad-based employee share ownership programs in fostering trust, accountability, and organisational success
• Discover strategies for designing inclusive equity programs that attract, motivate, and retain top talent
• Learn from success stories about using equity as a long-term incentive to navigate challenges and remain competitive

Join this sesion for an engaging session that brings AI to life with practical applications in share plans and beyond. The CMS legal innovations team will demystify generative AI, demonstrating its mechanics through live examples. Learn how to optimize AI prompts and get top tips for effective prompting. The expert panel will also discuss AI's impact on share plans, covering legal considerations, design, implementation, communication, and administration. This session will show you how to leverage AI to enhance the efficacy and reach of your share plans.

 KEY LEARNINGS: 

• Understand generative AI and see live examples of its practical applications
• Learn how to optimize AI prompts for maximum benefit with top prompting tips
• Discover how AI impacts the design, implementation, communication, and administration of share plans