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3.5 The State of Global Equity in 2026: Trends, Risks, and What’s Next

As global equity programs continue to evolve amid regulatory change, workforce mobility, and rapid advances in technology, staying ahead of what’s coming next has never been more critical. This forward-looking session provides a global snapshot of where equity compensation stands in 2026—and what companies should be preparing for now.
 

These global industry experts from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, and the US, will explore key regulatory developments across major regions, shifting talent mobility and retention dynamics, and the growing influence of technology and AI on equity administration. Designed to help global equity leaders navigate uncertainty with confidence, this session will combine strategic insights with practical considerations to support informed decision-making in an increasingly complex environment.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Identify key regulatory trends and emerging risks across major global markets and how they may impact equity plan design and administration.
  • Explore how changing workforce patterns—including cross-border mobility and remote work—are reshaping global equity strategies.
  • Learn how technology and AI are transforming equity operations, from compliance and reporting to data management and decision support.
     
Speaker/Author

Amit Majumder, Qapita (IN)
Cherry Mo, WiseTech Global (AU)
Dikla Reznik-Erez, ESOP (IS)
Soren Klausen, Iuno Law (DK)
Diane Atteberry, Morgan Stanley at Work (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 5
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

1.2 Global Share Plans in Motion: What’s New, What’s Risky, and What to Watch

Global share plan compliance continues to evolve—sometimes in helpful ways, sometimes in unexpected (and challenging) ones. This session delivers a fast-paced update on recent legal, tax, and regulatory developments across key jurisdictions, including Argentina, China, Denmark, Israel, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.

Experienced issuer leaders and a global share plan advisor will share how these changes are affecting real-world equity programs, highlighting where companies are adjusting plan design, administration, and compliance strategies. The discussion will focus on practical approaches for monitoring global developments, responding to regulatory change, and maintaining compliant share plans across diverse jurisdictions.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Key global regulatory and tax developments impacting share plans across major jurisdictions.
  • How companies are adapting plan design and compliance strategies in response to change.
  • Practical methods for staying ahead of global developments without overburdening internal teams.
Speaker/Author

Barbara Klementz, Baker McKenzie (US)
Mike Browning, Equinix (US)
Andrea Kagan, NVIDIA (US)
Cherie Curry, FGE, FGS Global (US)
Sepehr Samari, Microsoft (US)

Event date
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2026, 13:30 - 14:30
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 2
Field of Study
Tax
Level
I

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, 11:45 - 12:30
Breakout series
Location
Monument
ARTICLE
29 August 2025
DENMARK TABLES BILL TO ENHANCE EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEME TAX RULES
External News

VitalLaw

Denmark

Denmark has proposed draft legislation to expand tax relief for employee share schemes, removing the 50% salary cap and extending eligibility to companies up to 10 years old with as many as 150 employees and turnover up to DKK200m. The bill also suspends the carbon tax on fishing from 2026–28, phasing it in from 2029, alongside new VAT exemptions for education under age 30 and adjustments to corporate tax collection rules. If approved, the measures would take effect on January 1, 2026, with consultation open until September 25, 2025.

ARTICLE
5 March 2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW LONG-TERM SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE PLAN
External News

Svitzer

General
Executive plans
Denmark

Svitzer Group has introduced a new Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP) for 2025, inviting its Global Leadership Team to purchase company shares and receive an equal number of matching shares, which will vest over three years, promoting ownership and retention. In addition, the company will issue annual grants of Restricted Share Units (RSUs) under its existing Long-Term Incentive Plan, with the CEO and CFO receiving RSUs equivalent to 85% and 60% of their base salaries, respectively, also subject to a three-year vesting period. The total value of Matching Shares and RSUs granted for 2025 may reach up to DKK 3 million and DKK 12.2 million, respectively.

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
8 April 2025, 8:40am - 12pm CEST
NORDIC CHAPTER MEETING
CHAPTER

Copenhagen, Denmark

All plan types
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Sweden

Join us for a dynamic session hosted by Ascendis Pharma, offering insights into EU pay transparency, Nordic legislative updates, and best practices for share plans.

Attendees will learn about the latest trends in stock options and performance conditions, and gain valuable insights from case studies and expert panels, featuring speakers from Ascendis Pharma and Pandora.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Stay ahead of regulatory changes and understand the technical implementation required for compliance.
  • Gain insights into the latest legal developments and key considerations for operating equity plans in the region.
  • Learn from Ascendis Pharma and Pandora’s share plan strategies, along with current trends in performance conditions.

The event will provide ample networking opportunities, concluding with an update from GEO and a post-event survey.
 

AGENDA
8.40am - Issuer only arrivals – tea/ coffee /breakfast pastries/ networking
9.00am - Providers arrivals – tea/ coffee /breakfast pastries/ networking         
9.20am - Welcome to Ascendis Pharma and about GEO    
9.25am - SESSION 1 – EU Pay Transparency 
10.00am - SESSION 2 -  Share Plan TSR Performance Conditions Trends and Insight
10.30am - BREAK – Networking  
10.50am - SESSION 3 -  Denmark Case Law on Stock Options
11.20am - SESSION 4 – Panel Discussion – Share Plan Success Stories 
11.55am - Closing – GEO update – Upcoming events and post-event survey
12.00pm - Lunch - Sponsored by IUNO Law

Special thanks to our lunch sponsor

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