Spain Image
IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
7 October 2025, 9 - 11am CEST
GEO SPAIN CHAPTER MEETING
spain chapter meeting
Madrid, Spain
Spain

SPEAKERS: 
AUGUSTINE SERBAN, MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY 
ANTONIO CARCELES, EY 
GIANPAOLO MOSCHETTI, OPTIO INCENTIVES 
CESAREA SANCHEZ, SANOMA 
JAIME PAVIA, CUATRECASAS 
ANA GONZALEZ, IAG

 

Join us in Madrid for a GEO Chapter meeting exploring what’s working—and what isn’t—in Spanish equity plans, and how aligning incentives can drive long-term success. 

SESSION ONE – Spanish Equity Plans: What Is and Isn’t Working
In this session, three leading equity experts will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the current equity landscape in Spain. Discussion will focus on the €12,000 tax benefit currently available and whether revisions are needed to create a more supportive environment for equity incentive plans.

SESSION TWO – Aligning Incentives: Transforming Performance Frameworks into Equity Success
The alignment of equity incentive plans—both short-term incentives (STI) and long-term incentives (LTI)—with business strategy is essential to driving organizational success. While STI metrics often target annual performance, LTI metrics are designed to reinforce long-term strategic objectives. This session will examine how to structure both effectively so they strengthen a company’s vision and mission, foster sustainable growth, and maximize shareholder value.

LOCATION
C. de Almagro, 9
Chamberí
28010 Madrid
Spain

Both GEO members and non-members are welcome.  There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

2.1 UK Share Plan Trends: What SAYE and SIP Data Reveal for Employers and Employees

ProShare’s annual SAYE and SIP report provides a unique lens on the performance of UK tax-approved plans. This year’s data reveals declining participation rates and reduced company interest in launching new plans, alongside evidence that cost-of-living pressures are influencing employees’ investment behaviours and decisions at maturity. 

In this session, we’ll explore these trends through case studies from issuers and examine what companies need to consider for the success of their plans in today’s changing environment—from generational shifts and the AI revolution to the ongoing challenges of recruitment, retention, and motivation. 

Attendees will gain insight into the future of UK-approved plans and how they can continue to support both employee and corporate success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • What current participation and maturity trends in SAYE and SIP mean for companies and plan participants.
  • How external factors like cost-of-living, workforce demographics, and technology are shaping the future of UK share plans.
  • Practical considerations for designing and positioning SAYE and SIP plans to drive engagement, retention, and shared success.
Speaker/Author

Sophie Altaf, Proshare
Cat Rylah, bp
Julie Shepherd, FGE, Sage Group plc

Event date
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 12:45 - 13:30
Breakout series
Location
Monument

Christian Hyldig

Christian Hyldig

Based in Barcelona, Christian is Director in EMEA Equity Services. With the client in focus, he helps companies make better decisions in the world of share plans.

Christian joined from Morgan Stanley where he was a Vice President helping companies on a variety of equity compensation issues and successful develop Morgan Stanley share plan financial reporting solution to unlock its true potential. Prior to this, Christian was Product manager (in UK) and Senior client manager (in Denmark) at Computershare, supporting share plan clients and developing new/existing products.

a man

Marcus McEvoy, FGE

Director of Client Management and Business Development
Computershare
Spain

Class of 2024/5

ARTICLE
29 October 2024
THE NEW ADDITIONAL SOLIDARITY CONTRIBUTION
External News

Bové Montero y Asociados

Spain

Starting January 1, 2025, Spain will implement an additional solidarity contribution requiring employers and employees to contribute to Social Security for salaries exceeding the maximum contribution base, with progressive rates (5.5%, 6%, and 7%) applied to different salary tranches. The employer will cover 83.39% of the contribution, and the employee will cover 16.61%, with payment deadlines set for the last day of the month following the due date. This new contribution is part of broader reforms under Royal Decree-Law 2/2023, including annual revaluation of the maximum contribution base based on pension indexation and an increase in the Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (MEI) contributions for 2025.

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
24 October 2024, 10:30am - 1:30pm CEST
GEO SPAIN CHAPTER MEETING
SPAIN CHAPTER MEETING
Barcelona
Spain

Panel: RSUs in Spain - FIFO and Other Tax Issues: A Challenge or an Opportunity?

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring industry leaders Augustin Serban (Flywire), Anna Sanz (Morgan Stanley), and Antonio Cárceles (EY), as they explore the complexities of RSUs in Spain. Delve into the impact of tax regulations, including FIFO rules, and learn whether these challenges can also present opportunities for companies and employees alike.

Roundtable Discussions:

  • The Impact of AI European Regulation on Equity Incentive Plans
    Led by Jaime Pavía (Cuatrecasas), this discussion will focus on how evolving AI regulations in Europe affect the structuring and implementation of equity incentive plans.
  • ESG and the Practicalities of Implementing Share Plans in the Current Economy
    Christian Hylding (Aon) will guide this roundtable, covering the intersection ESG considerations and the practical aspects of setting up share plans during times of economic uncertainty.
  • Why ESPP Is a Good Choice in Spain
    Sergio Pérez (JP Morgan Workplace Solutions) will lead a discussion on the benefits of ESPPs in Spain, highlighting their potential for enhancing employee engagement and aligning incentives with company performance.

This session promises a deep dive into crucial topics that will help organizations navigate regulatory landscapes and optimize their equity compensation strategies.

LOCATION:
Passeig del Mare Nostrum 
15 
Ciutat Vella 
08039 Barcelona 
Spain

Both GEO members and non-members are welcome.  There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

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, 14:10 - 15:00
Breakout series
Location
Affiliation Hub 2
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O