ARTICLE
1 February 2024
Delaware Court Applies Traditional Entire Fairness Standard to Very Large Stockholder-Approved, Performance-Based Equity Award
External News

Jones Day

Executive pay
Performance shares
USA

The Delaware Court of Chancery recently invalidated Elon Musk's equity compensation plan with Tesla, which was criticized for being excessively large compared to peer plans and lacking proper negotiation. The court found that Musk effectively controlled Tesla in the context of the award, and that the approval process was flawed, including misleading proxy statements and insufficient benchmarking. As a result, the court determined the award was unfair and ordered it rescinded.

5.3 Empowering Equity Career Development

Hear from respected industry leaders as they share their experiences and insights into working in the equity compensation field. This session will cover their personal motivations, the highs and lows of their careers, and what the next generation can expect in this evolving industry. Gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic interactions between issuers and providers, and learn valuable lessons from their professional journeys.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Discover why leading professionals chose to work in the equity compensation field and their career highlights
  • Understand the challenges and rewards of the industry from experienced voices
  • Learn about the evolving expectations for the next generation and the issuer-provider dynamic
Speaker/Author

Helen Hopkins, MUFG
Nicola Moodie, MUFG
Gemma Owens, MUFG
Jean Piercey, Legal & General plc

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 16:25 - 17:15
Country
Breakout series
Location
Partnership 1








Field of Study
Personal Development
Level
B

5.2 Energy Management -Self-Awareness to Prevent Career Burnout

In this mini-workshop, explore how to manage your energy effectively to enhance both your professional and personal life. With stock administrators facing increasing workloads and blurred work-life boundaries, learn strategies to identify energising versus depleting activities. 

Drawing on research from organisational behavior and positive psychology, and insights from Elena’s experience with McKinsey & Company’s Women in Leadership program, you’ll create an energy action plan tailored to boost your personal energy resources and improve overall well-being.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Discover how to identify and leverage energising activities both at work and home
  • Learn strategies for managing energy levels to handle professional and personal challenges effectively
  • Develop a personalised energy action plan to enhance your productivity and well-being
Speaker/Author

Elena Thomas, Empower Stock Plan Services

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 16:25 - 17:15
Country
Breakout series
Location
Affiliation Hub 2







Field of Study
Personal Development
Level
O

5.1 Successful Share Plan Communication Strategies for IPO Transitions and Beyond

Explore how to effectively communicate share plans during an IPO in this insightful fireside chat. As companies grow, equity becomes a key part of compensation, yet many face challenges in ensuring employees understand their equity, especially in Europe. With the London IPO market showing signs of recovery, it’s crucial for late-stage companies to prepare for how employees will respond to equity in their new public phase. 

Join Ledgy and Melanie Oakley, an experienced senior people leader, as they share strategies for engaging employees, executives, and investors through clear, thoughtful communication plans. Learn how to use share plans to educate and involve all key stakeholders during this pivotal transition.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Understand the challenges and strategies for communicating share plans effectively during an IPO
  • Learn how to engage employees, executives, and investors with clear and thoughtful communication
  • Discover ways to use share plans to educate and involve stakeholders through the IPO transition and beyond
Speaker/Author

Peter Ahern, Ledgy
Melanie Oakley, Oakley HR

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 16:25 - 17:15
Country
Breakout series
Location
Affiliation Hub 1






Field of Study
Communication and Marketing
Level
A

4.3 Unlocking Global Employee Engagement: Experian's Successful Freeshare Award Strategy

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
Speaker/Author

Colin Buchanan, Computershare
Richard Solk, Experian
Jen Owen, Experian
 

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 15:25 - 16:15
Country
Breakout series
Location
Partnership 1




Field of Study
Communication and Marketing
Level
O

4.2 Phantom Awards: Why Cashing Out is not as Scary as it Sounds!

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
Speaker/Author

Matthew Hunter, Tapestry Compliance
Matt Connor, FGE, Lucid Motors

 

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 15:25 - 16:15
Country
Breakout series
Location
Affiliation Hub 2




Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

3.5 Beyond Animation: Emerging Digital Employee Engagement Trends

Explore how creativity and technology can transform employee communications in this inspirational session. Delve into the use of innovative digital tools—beyond traditional animation and interactive brochures—to enhance employee engagement. The panel will address practical questions such as the effectiveness of these tools, overcoming resource constraints, and actionable steps to immediately improve your digital experience. Feel inspired, energised and dazzled by the possibilities.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Discover how advanced digital tools can significantly enhance employee engagement beyond traditional methods
  • Learn practical strategies from experts for implementing innovative communication techniques, even with limited resources
  • Get inspired with actionable steps to evolve your digital experience for better results
Speaker/Author

Amy Brimble, Deloitte
Adam Bryan, Deloitte
Sarah Billington, IAG

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 14:10 - 15:00
Country
Breakout series
Location
Affiliation Hub 2


Field of Study
Communication and Marketing
Level
O

3.2 Fireside Chat: Looking to the Future and Navigating Change

Explore how recent global changes are reshaping equity plans in this insightful session. We’ll delve into the impact of the evolving economic climate, shifts in government and workplace dynamics, and the changing role of employee equity plans. Our panel of experts will provide perspectives from economists, equity issuers, advisors, and providers, highlighting trends in awards, metrics, and structures. 

Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for leveraging equity as a powerful tool for organisational success in a competitive, globalised world.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Understand how recent economic and geopolitical changes affect stock plan design and usage.
  • Learn how workplace disruptions and government shifts impact employee equity plans and performance awards.
  • Discover practical strategies and real-life examples to navigate equity trends and shape successful companies.
Speaker/Author

Mitan Patel, FGE, Fidelity
Tom Stevenson, Fidelity
Gabbi Stopp, FGE, GEO
Dennis Paalman, RewardWorks
Tom Paleka, FGE, Gallagher

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 14:10 - 15:00
Topic
Breakout series
Location
Partnership 2
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

2.5 Mastering Share Sourcing and Sales: Strategies for Effective Employee Share Plans

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.
Speaker/Author

Ghal Supple, Equiniti
Tom McCulloch, Equiniti
Ben McCarthy, Linklaters
Robert Lyons, Marks and Spencer

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 13:10 - 14:00
Breakout series
Location
Affiliation Hub 2
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

2.2 GEIS 2024: Leveraging AI and Emerging Trends in Global Equity Compensation

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
Speaker/Author

Mitan Patel, FGE, Fidelity
Danyle Anderson, FGE,  Bank of America
David Voggeser, hkp////group
Marcus McEvoy, Computershare

 

Event date
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 13:10 - 14:00
Breakout series
Location
Partnership 2
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O