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A FIRST-CLASS VIRTUAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Billy Billingham
BILLY BILLINGHAM MBE

Decorated Military Leader. Bodyguard. Best-Selling Author. TV Personality. Speaker.

There is not much Billy Billingham MBE QCB can't do!

With more than 20 years of military leadership, including executing strategic operations in places including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and Africa, Billy has experienced what it takes to be mentally tough.

As a result of his bravery, he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery and MBE by Queen Elizabeth II.

Join Billy as he brings his experiences to GEO's audience to educate and enthral those seeking how to combat challenges and hardships the SAS way!

INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRING BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Access on-demand recordings.of the event's 20 live sessions that span six subject tracks and 30 'Best of Edinburgh' highest-rated sessions from GEO's 24th Annual Conference.

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Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 15:25 - 16:15
Design and strategy
4.3 Unlocking Global Employee Engagement: Experian's Successful Freeshare Award Strategy

Colin Buchanan, Computershare
Richard Solk, Experian
Jen Owen, Experian
 

Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Save as you earn (SAYE)
Share incentive plans (SIP)
Global
BREAKOUT IV

Explore Experian's groundbreaking global freeshare award initiative, which introduced share grants in countries where employees had never received them before. This session will reveal the unique challenges faced, including effective communication of plan details, ensuring employee understanding, and maximising participation rates. Discover how Experian incentivised long-term commitment with a bonus award for employees who retained their shares for three years. 

Attendees will gain insights into why employees favored shares over cash and how this aligns with Experian’s broader goals. Learn from Experian’s experience to enhance your own strategies for clear communication and driving employee engagement.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Discover the challenges and solutions for rolling out a global freeshare award initiative
  • Learn how strategic incentives like bonus shares can boost employee retention and alignment with company goals
  • Understand the importance of effective communication in maximising participation and employee engagement
LOCATION:
Partnership 1




CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Communication and Marketing
Level:
O
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 15:25 - 16:15
Design and strategy
4.4 Leveraging Broad-Based Equity Programs for Company-Wide Success

Danyle Anderson, FGE, Bank of America
Bill Castellano, Rutgers University
 

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Restricted shares
Global
BREAKOUT IV

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
LOCATION:
Partnership 2
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Personnel/HR
Level:
O
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024, 15:25 - 16:15
Trending now
4.5 AI in Action: Enhancing Share Plans Through Practical Applications and Insights

Liam Cox, CMS (UK)
Cathy Wears, CMS (UK)
 

Global
BREAKOUT IV

Join this sesion for an engaging session that brings AI to life with practical applications in share plans and beyond. The CMS legal innovations team will demystify generative AI, demonstrating its mechanics through live examples. Learn how to optimize AI prompts and get top tips for effective prompting. The expert panel will also discuss AI's impact on share plans, covering legal considerations, design, implementation, communication, and administration. This session will show you how to leverage AI to enhance the efficacy and reach of your share plans.

 KEY LEARNINGS: 

  • Understand generative AI and see live examples of its practical applications
  • Learn how to optimize AI prompts for maximum benefit with top prompting tips
  • Discover how AI impacts the design, implementation, communication, and administration of share plans
     
LOCATION:
Partnership 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Information Technology
Level:
B
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Design and strategy
4.1 Czech Mate: Mastering Mergers and Acquisitions in the Face of Private Equity Challenges 

Michael Grealey, Gartner (UK)
Michal Herink, PwC (SE)
Tim Hughes, PwC (UK)
Jacob Jonmyren, Embracer Group (SE)
 

Global
BREAKOUT IV

Acquiring privately-owned and early-stage companies presents unique challenges for corporate issuers. This session explores how equity compensation strategies can help navigate these transactions, retain key talent, and align diverse management goals.
From competing with private equity firms for founder-led businesses to integrating teams with differing cultural norms, attendees will gain practical insights and examples of how tailored equity plans ensure competitive and effective outcomes.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Collaborate on how to structure equity offers that compete with private equity’s leveraged investment plans.
  • Share strategies for retaining management post-acquisition and navigating transitions after private equity plans are settled.
  • Discuss how equity compensation can help align cultures and behaviors, fostering synergy across teams in post-acquisition environments.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 1
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Finance, tax and accounting
4.2 Mastering Talent Strategies in France: Taxation, Trends, and Tools for Success

Orianne Achéritéguy, Deloitte Société d'Avocats (FR)
Xavier Cavenel, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (FR)
Matthieu Gonbert, Banque Transatlantique (FR)
Vanda Kiss, Nokia (HU)

Global
BREAKOUT IV

In today’s competitive talent market, understanding the evolving landscape is essential to staying ahead. This session brings together experienced professionals and French companies to share best practices and insights into navigating the complexities of compensation and taxation in France. Gain actionable strategies to attract, retain, and motivate top talent while aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends and French tax regulations.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Hear and discuss recent changes in French tax laws and how CSR trends influence compensation strategies.
  • Share and discuss the most effective compensation tools and how to incorporate them into your talent strategy.
  • Exchange best practices for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 2
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Financial wellbeing and education
4.3 Total Rewards and Financial Wellness Beyond Equity Plans

Evans Longacre, Fidelity (US)
Maya Wright, Industry Expert (US)
Augustin Serban, Industry Expert (ES)

Global
BREAKOUT IV

Discover the power of an integrated rewards strategy that goes beyond equity plans to support employee financial wellness and overall well-being during this interactive roundtable. Participants will share experiences and explore how to combine equity, compensation, benefits, and wellness initiatives to attract and retain top talent while addressing the diverse needs of today’s workforce.
Through guided discussions, you’ll uncover actionable insights on creating cohesive total rewards strategies, the role of financial wellness programs in reducing workplace stress, and innovative ways to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Explore strategies for integrating compensation, equity, benefits, and non-monetary perks into a cohesive total rewards strategy.
  • Explore how financial wellness programs can improve employees' overall well-being and reduce workplace stress.
  • Share practical tools and strategies to design rewards programs that meet the diverse needs of a modern workforce, fostering higher satisfaction and retention.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Private and pre-IPO companies
4.4 Preparing for IPO Success: Aligning Stakeholders and Scaling Equity Plans

Peter Ahern, Ledgy (UK)
Dennis Paalman, Arcadis (NL)
Andrew Quayle, CMS (UK)
 

Global
BREAKOUT IV

Discover how companies can effectively prepare for IPOs by aligning stakeholders, fortifying financials, and ensuring equity plans are primed to scale for the demands of public markets. With the IPO pipeline showing signs of renewed activity, this roundtable offers a valuable platform to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and develop actionable strategies with peers and industry experts.
This interactive discussion will delve into critical aspects of the IPO process, spotlighting common equity-related roadblocks and practical solutions to address them. Participants will explore best practices for stakeholder alignment, financial readiness, and creating scalable share plans that can withstand the scrutiny of public markets.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Explore and discuss the steps required to align stakeholders and ensure financials are prepared for IPO scrutiny.
  • Share insights into overcoming equity-related challenges and addressing common blockers.
  • Discuss strategies to adapt and scale share plans to ensure a smooth transition to public markets.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Not eligible
Level:
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025, 13:15 - 14:00
Trending now
4.5 Global Tariffs & Share Plans: Risks, Reactions, and Resilience

Zoe Denny, GEO (UK)
Mark Higgins, WPP (UK)

All plan types
Global
BREAKOUT IV

As global trade policies evolve, tariffs are increasingly influencing more than just goods—they’re affecting how multinational companies design and administer employee share plans. In this session, industry experts will explore how tariff-driven costs and shifting regulations are adding complexity to equity compensation.

We'll consider how companies might adapt their strategies, redesign plans for resilience, and communicate effectively in a rapidly changing global landscape.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Discover how tariff pressures may reshape award design, plan localization, and performance metrics.
  • Learn ways to keep participants engaged despite rising uncertainty and regional volatility.
  • Get practical insights into “tariff-proofing” your equity plans for the future
LOCATION:
Karlin 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2023, 14:00 - 14:50
Trending now
INCENTIVISING LEADERSHIP IN A GLOBAL TALENT MARKET

SPEAKERS: Katie Kenny, Deloitte LLP, Ian Dawson, Deloitte LLP

Global
BREAKOUT V

This session will focus on the challenges faced by listed companies when competing for and negotiating board talent in a global market. As businesses aim to attract and retain leaders who can drive success in a rapidly shifting external landscape, the session will provide insights into the specific challenges encountered in the global market.

Attendees will learn:

  • Best practices from a CEO's perspective in attracting and retaining leaders
  • Equity's role in negotiating during the hiring process, executive compensation, and senior leader retention
  • Investors' expectations of executive compensation and talent