Discover how Sage transformed its global Save & Share plan by tapping into the power of its people. This session explores how Sage revitalized its communications strategy, enhanced the colleague experience, and implemented a financial education and wellbeing program that empowered employees to make informed decisions at maturity.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Strategies to boost participation and engagement in employee share plans
• The role of financial education in driving confidence and informed decision-making
• How to measure success beyond numbers—real stories and testimonials from employees

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.

Uncover innovative strategies for enhancing employee share plans through creative processes and customized solutions. This session delves into Admiral’s off-market bid process, which generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in additional employee value, avoided tax implications, and preserved share price stability. Additionally, explore Endava’s global, all-employee discretionary share plan, thoughtfully designed to maximize employee benefits while aligning seamlessly with organizational objectives.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Discover how forward-thinking approaches can create substantial financial advantages for employees while safeguarding organizational goals.
• Learn the value of designing share plans that align with both employee needs and broader business strategies.
• Gain actionable insights on adapting administrative frameworks to meet diverse client requirements and enhance the effectiveness of share plan delivery.

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.

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 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