Join members of the GEO chapter leadership teams from Belgium, the Nordics, and the UK for a fast-paced and practical exploration of the most important developments shaping equity and share plans across Europe. Designed for global practitioners managing cross-border programs, this session moves beyond fundamentals to focus on what’s changing now — and what issuers need to be preparing for next.

From evolving tax frameworks and regulatory shifts to innovative plan structures and solutions for increasingly mobile and hybrid workforces, our panelists will share regional insights and real-world examples. Learn how companies are adapting to local capital gains considerations, redesigning plans to stay competitive in tight talent markets, and balancing compliance with participant experience across diverse jurisdictions.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the latest regulatory, tax, and compliance trends across key European markets and how they influence plan design and administration.
• Identify innovative approaches European issuers are using to drive participation, retention, and cultural alignment.
• Navigate cross-border challenges including mobility, participant education, and operational complexity with greater confidence.

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.

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.

Are you ready for the future of pay transparency? Prepare for the future of pay transparency with our session on the EU's upcoming 'Pay Transparency Directive.' Set to roll out by June 2026, this legislation will affect all member states. Discover what this means for share plan professionals and gain insights on navigating the challenges ahead.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand the implications of the EU's 'Pay Transparency Directive' for share plan professionals
• Identify key challenges and considerations for complying with the new legislation
• Receive a roadmap to help plan and ensure compliance with the directive.