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

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

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

Explore the financial reporting impacts of share plan designs in this case-study presentation by Amadeus. The expert panel will cover the financial reporting impacts of share plan designs and the key requirements of IFRS 2, including how various plan designs influence valuations, amortisation, and expense recognition.

Learn about the complexities of performance plans, effective reporting and disclosure practices, and strategies for communicating impacts to stakeholders. This session is perfect for HR and equity compensation professionals looking to enhance their understanding and application of IFRS 2.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand the requirements of IFRS 2 and its implications for share-based payments
• Learn how different plan designs affect valuation, amortisation, and performance plans
• Discover best practices for reporting, disclosure, and stakeholder communication under IFRS 2

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

Ready to take your employee stock plan global? Discover why a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work and learn how to tailor your plan for each jurisdiction. Our panel will cover essential considerations for rolling out your plan internationally, from adhering to local regulations to optimizing participation rates. We'll explore data privacy variations, local labor laws, and strategies to manage cultural and language barriers. Get a high-level overview of customizations needed, a deep dive into data privacy regulations across regions, and best practices for engaging employees and streamlining your global plan.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn how to tailor your stock plan for different jurisdictions to meet local regulations and boost participation
• Understand data privacy requirements in the EU, EEA, UK, APAC, South America, and compare them to North American laws
• Discover strategies to overcome cultural and language barriers and streamline your global plan

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.

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.

Navigating legal and tax compliance for new or existing plans can be daunting. Join our panel of experienced issuers and advisors as we spotlight three key compliance hotspots: securities laws, foreign exchange, and translations. Experts from Tapestry will guide you on prioritising compliance efforts this year and tackling challenges in hotspot countries. Hear from Sage and Rolls-Royce about their experiences with global expansion.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn where to focus your compliance efforts for the biggest impact
• Discover strategies for managing securities laws, foreign exchange, and translations
• Gain insights from Sage and Rolls-Royce on overcoming key issues in global expansion