This session will provide a timely deep dive into the latest developments shaping employee compensation and equity in France. Recent regulatory changes have significantly impacted the qualification and treatment of free share plans, creating new considerations for issuers operating in the French market.

These experts will also address the increasingly important topic of US citizens working in France, focusing on how to structure and administer equity plans in compliance with both French and U.S. regulatory requirements. In addition, attendees will explore effective benchmarking strategies and approaches to designing competitive management compensation packages that align with evolving market expectations and company goals.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Gain clarity on the latest developments affecting free share plan qualification and how these changes impact plan design and administration.
• Learn best practices for treating U.S. Persons in France while maintaining compliance with cross-border tax, securities, and employment regulations.
• Explore benchmarking approaches and management package design strategies to remain competitive in the French market while aligning with broader business objectives.

Join this session to learn how Allianz, EY, and Equatex have partnered since 2018 to design and scale a truly global ESPP—driving employee ownership at Allianz from 9% to an impressive 79%, representing more than €1.5 billion in assets under management.

This session will explore how Allianz evolved from simply offering an ESPP to cultivating a holistic, enterprise-wide culture of employee share ownership. By combining thoughtful plan design, tax-efficient strategies, and a strong focus on employee experience, Allianz has successfully engaged its global workforce across 48 countries.

This is a practical, end-to-end case study on the power of partnership, innovation, and execution in building sustainable global employee ownership.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn how Allianz transformed its ESPP into a holistic employee shareholder program spanning 48 countries and dramatically increased participation across its workforce.
• Gain insights from EY on managing diverse tax and legal frameworks while maintaining global consistency, compliance, and tax efficiency.
• Discover how Equatex optimized the employee journey and centralized communications to boost engagement and participation worldwide.

ESPPs may share a name, but their design and impact can vary widely. In this lively, practical session, a panel of ESPP experts will guide you through three distinct plan designs, examining how each influences employee perception, participation rates, company expense, and dilution. Whether you’re launching a new plan or optimizing an existing one, you’ll leave with actionable strategies, creative ideas, and practical tips to make your ESPP successful.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Explore how different ESPP structures—from generous discounts to unique offering periods—affect employee participation and perception.
• Learn what motivates employees to take part in ESPPs and identify potential barriers to adoption.
• Discover strategies for designing plans that maximize employee value while maintaining financial sustainability for the company.

In today’s world of tighter budgets and rising expectations, how can issuers reduce the cost of their share plans without compromising their appeal? This session brings share plan accounting to life, showing that what may seem like a dry, technical topic is actually critical for program success.

Attendees will explore practical strategies to optimize expenses while maintaining eligibility and plan attractiveness. The session will also examine the tension between U.S. trends toward more discretion in performance conditions and the measurement challenges this can create. Participants will leave with actionable insights to make informed decisions, manage costs effectively, and maintain high-performing equity programs.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn practical approaches to reduce share plan expenses without impacting employee eligibility or program appeal.
• Understand the challenges and implications of discretionary performance metrics and their effect on measurement and compliance.
• Gain actionable insights for maintaining attractive, high-performing share plans in budget-constrained environments.

Operating share plans globally is no easy task—but there are proven ways to significantly improve their effectiveness and impact. In this session, a highly experienced panel featuring leaders from NatWest, Sage, Tapestry, and Wealth at Work will share practical insights drawn from real-world experience across industries and regions.

The discussion will explore evolving trends in plan design, effective approaches to financial education (without crossing into financial advice), and strategies for engaging a multigenerational and multicultural workforce. 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn how to deliver responsible plan communications and financial education without crossing into regulated financial advice.
• Discover innovative solutions to common communication challenges that improve how employees perceive and value their share plans.
• Explore strategies for addressing cultural and generational differences to ensure equity programs resonate across regions.

Equity plan reporting can be a minefield of data discrepancies, compliance risks, and audit challenges. This session provides practical guidance for maintaining clean, accurate data and preparing for audits with confidence. 

Participants will explore strategies for reconciling information across systems, managing reporting schedules, and addressing common pitfalls. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and best practices to ensure equity plan reporting is efficient, reliable, and audit-ready.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn strategies for reconciling information across multiple systems and preventing discrepancies.
• Gain insights into preparing for audits, managing reporting schedules, and addressing common pitfalls in equity reporting.
• Explore actionable approaches and best practices to streamline equity plan reporting while ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Global stock plan administration is evolving quickly—and staying current requires both technical depth and practical judgment. This interactive session delivers a fresh, high-energy approach to learning, combining real-world scenarios with a fast-paced trivia format that challenges participants to apply their knowledge in the moment.Attendees will test their understanding across a wide range of global equity topics, including mobility and cross-border planning, ESPP design insights, 10b5-1 plans, Section 16 and Rule 144 reporting, tax withholding and payroll coordination, 409A valuations, and financial reporting considerations. Designed to spark discussion and peer learning, this session sharpens expertise while reinforcing best practices in a memorable, engaging way.
 

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Gain up-to-date insight into global equity trends, regulatory developments, and emerging best practices.
• Deepen understanding of complex compliance, reporting, and administration topics through practical scenarios.
• Reinforce learning in real time by making decisions under pressure in a competitive, game-based format.

A well-designed ESPP is more than a benefit—it’s a powerful tool for fostering ownership, engagement, and alignment across your organization. But creating a lasting program requires a strong foundation.
In this session, participants will explore the essential elements of sustainable ESPP design, from aligning with corporate objectives and managing financial trade-offs to navigating compliance and global complexities. Attendees will gain a practical framework for evaluating plan features, modeling participation, and future-proofing their ESPP to meet evolving workforce and market needs. 

Whether you’re refreshing an existing plan or launching a new one, this session provides actionable tools and strategic insights to build an ESPP that endures.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn how to align your ESPP with corporate goals, financial strategy, and workforce objectives for long-term impact.
• Gain insights into managing regulatory, tax, and operational challenges across multiple jurisdictions.
• Discover strategies for modeling participation, evaluating plan features, and adapting your ESPP to evolving workforce and market needs.

Asia’s equity landscape is shifting rapidly, with new regulatory reforms, foreign exchange restrictions, and tax developments reshaping how companies design and deliver employee share plans. From China’s evolving SAFE framework to India’s changing exchange control rules and Japan’s flexible securities law exemptions, issuers face both challenges and opportunities as they balance compliance with engagement.
 

This session will provide practical strategies for implementing equity programs across major Asian markets. Panelists will share real-world examples and best practices, highlighting how companies are navigating regulatory complexity while creating culturally resonant, sustainable programs that deliver meaningful employee experiences. Attendees will gain actionable insights to drive compliance, engagement, and efficiency in their global equity operations.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• How regulatory and tax developments across major Asian markets impact share plan design and delivery.
• Strategies for navigating cross-border compliance while maintaining employee engagement.
• Practical approaches to implementing sustainable and culturally aligned equity programs.

Even in a world of constant communication, participants often struggle to find trusted and accessible information about their equity. This session explores how leading companies like Block, PayPal, and Procore are rethinking participant education to meet evolving employee needs. Using AI, smart design, and scalable strategies, these organizations are creating engaging, intuitive, and impactful equity education programs.

Attendees will walk away with practical ideas for designing or revamping their own programs, regardless of budget or team size, and actionable insights to improve participant understanding, engagement, and confidence.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn how leading companies are using AI, design thinking, and technology to enhance equity communication.
• Discover methods to deliver effective equity education regardless of budget, team size, or geographic reach.
• Gain actionable ideas for creating programs that increase participant comprehension, confidence, and satisfaction.