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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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Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Design and strategy
8.2 Global and mobile taxes – Advanced topics with an experienced panel

Justin Pon, Morgan Stanley at Work
AmyLynn Flood, Vialto Partners
Leann Balbona, FGE, KPMG
Sean Trotman, FGE, Deloitte
Cathy Goonetilleke, EY

Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

An interactive educational forum in a roundtable format that will let us dive deep into the complexities of managing a tax compliant process when offering equity to global and mobile employees. Speakers, moderators and participants will discuss best practices and pain points of managing the taxation of a complex international and mobile population, and share the challenges they might have experienced managing these obligations on equity compensation. 
Attendees will leave this session with an enhanced knowledge on options to handle the taxation of complex international and mobile participant populations, the application of these issues to specific countries, and new ideas on how they might transform their process to meet their equity administration responsibilities.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  •  Best practices for managing a complex international and state mobile population
  • Current challenges that our panel has seen in their practices, and ways that these challenges were addressed
  • Application of these best practices and challenges when managing tax obligations for equity compensation in select example countries

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Tax
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Midtown 1
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Design and strategy
8.3 A little French conversation: market practices in France

Matthieu Gonbert, Banque Transatlantique
Orianne Acheriteguy, Deloitte Société d'Avocats
Ramon Dominguez, Lucid Motors

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
France
BREAKOUT VIII

A comprehensive session led by a panel of esteemed French and US experts, offering exclusive insights into the intricate landscape of Long-Term Incentive (LTI) plans in France. With over 100,000 French beneficiaries and 100 corporate clients, Banque Transatlantique brings a unique perspective on market trends, complemented by Deloitte's benchmark of 800 European listed companies. Understand the nuances of LTIs, from exotic taxation to market practices and competitor benchmarks. Explore allocation policies, including amount, conditions, and ESG considerations. Gain an overview of the panel demographics and delve into the decision-making process for offering LTIs in alignment with French market trends.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Overview of panel demographics and general figures
  • Understanding allocation policies, including amount and ESG factors
  • Decision-making considerations for offering LTIs in line with French market trends

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 1
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Employee engagement
8.4 Hit the right note with your long term incentives: tailoring end-to-end communications

Adam Bryan, Deloitte
Toby Morrow, Rio Tinto

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Discover the transformative potential of a personalized employee experience in revolutionizing your Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) engagement with insights from Rio Tinto and Deloitte's expert panel. Explore strategies that support understanding and foster connection at every stage of the employee LTIP journey, from grant to vest, thereby cultivating sustained engagement among senior employees and enhancing overall performance outcomes. Uncover the latest trends and best practices in LTIP engagement, showcasing how personalized communications, including animation, can simplify complex concepts like performance measures in an effective and authentic manner. Join them to unlock the power of personalized communications, elevate your LTIP strategy, and propel your incentives to new heights.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how a personalized employee experience can enhance engagement throughout the LTIP journey
  • Explore the latest trends and best practices in LTIP engagement, including the use of personalized communications and animation
  • Discover how personalized communications can simplify intricate concepts, such as performance measures, fostering a deeper understanding among employees

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Communication
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 2
Thursday, 11 Apr 2024, 10:00 - 10:50
Legal and regulatory
8.5 Potential pitfalls of cross-border stock awards

Jennifer George, PwC
Mark Jones, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Vanessa Renna, Thermofisher Scientific

Discount shares
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Equity deferral
Executive plans
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Dive deep into the intricate world of global compliance with our expert panel. Explore the potential compliance traps stock plan administrators must navigate, from unfavorable tax outcomes for both employees and employers to securities registration hurdles, currency exchange complexities, and disclosure requirements under local law. Uncover the latest legal developments reshaping stock plans, including insights into the new EU-US Data Privacy Framework and proposed EU cybersecurity regulations (DORA). 
Join them for a comprehensive discussion that unveils the intricacies of global compliance, ensuring you're equipped to steer your cross-border stock plans through the regulatory landscape.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Uncover identifying compliance traps in cross-border stock plans
  • Explore navigating tax, securities, and currency exchange challenges
  • Stay informed on recent legal developments

 

CPE CREDIT: 1.0
Field of study: Business Law
Level: 0
Delivery method: Group internet-based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (CE): 1.0

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

LOCATION:
Germantown 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025, 09:45 - 10:45
Design and strategy
8.1 Equity Without Borders: Broad-Based Stock Plans on the Global Stage - Making the Case for Global Ownership

Danyle Anderson, FGE, Bank of America (US)
William Castellano, Rutgers University (US)
Lori Giardina, Block (US)
Nicole Hickle, Amgen (US)
Robyn Shutak, FGE, Infinite Equity (US)

 

Global
BREAKOUT VIII

In today’s interconnected world, companies are increasingly implementing global equity compensation strategies that foster trust, shared ownership, and accountability across their entire workforce. Striking the right balance between a uniform global approach and tailored region-specific strategies is key to achieving the best outcomes, especially in uncertain times. 

This session will explore how broad-based employee share ownership programs can drive mutual alignment and business success on a global scale.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understanding how to balance uniform equity plans with tailored approaches that account for regional differences in tax, regulation, and compensation expectations.
  • Weighing the pros and cons of offering the same equity plans for all employees versus customized strategies based on geography, role, or market conditions.
  • Learning from companies that have successfully implemented broad-based equity globally, and how they strategically use equity for retention, special-purpose awards, and stock purchase programs.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 1
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
I
Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025, 09:45 - 10:45
Legal and regulatory
8.2 Around the World in 60 Minutes: Key Compliance Updates for Equity Plans

Lewis Dulley, Tapestry Compliance (UK)
Anna Fletcher, Rentokil Initial (UK)
Tom Parker, Tapestry Compliance (UK)
Julie Shepherd, FGE, Sage Group (UK)
 

Global
BREAKOUT VIII

From Czechia to Chile, this session will explore the complexities of global equity compensation, focusing on the challenges and opportunities companies face when designing and managing plans across multiple regions. Experts will provide insights into tax, legal, and regulatory considerations in key markets, including the US, UK, and Europe. 

Attendees will also learn how to align their equity strategies with cultural factors and evolving global compliance requirements.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand the tax, legal, and regulatory requirements for equity plans in key international markets.
  • Learn how to address cultural influences on plan adoption and participation.
  • Explore strategies for maintaining global compliance while adapting to regional requirements.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 2
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025, 09:45 - 10:45
Data and business intelligence
8.3 Discerning Differences with Data Driven Insights

Leann Balbona, FGE, KPMG (US)
Matt Connor, FGE, Lucid Motors (US)
Chris Mowatt, Fidelity (UK)
Thomas Paleka, FGE, Gallagher (US)

Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Global equity professionals know that offering equity compensation isn’t one-size-fits-all. This session will present data insights from top locations—India, China, the UK, Canada, Germany, and the US—comparing employee perceptions with the ease of offering equity, as ranked by GEO’s Global Share Plan Ranking report.

Surprisingly, regions where equity is easiest to offer often see lower employee appreciation, while more challenging regions may show higher engagement.

This session will explore where employees need more support, how they prefer to receive it, and how to prioritise jurisdictions based on perceptions and regulatory obstacles.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand employee perceptions and attitudes toward equity compensation across key jurisdictions.
  • Explore how regulatory ease or complexity impacts employee engagement with equity plans.
  • Gain insights into how to tailor support and communication strategies based on jurisdictional priorities and employee needs.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
I
Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025, 09:45 - 10:45
Data and business intelligence
8.4 Private Company Equity Compensation: GEIS 2025 Insights

Armon Battig, Ledgy (CH)
David Voggeser, Mercer (DE)

All plan types
Global
BREAKOUT VIII

This session examines key findings from the Global Equity Insights Survey 2025 (GEIS 2025) related to equity compensation in private companies. It explores how these companies design and administer equity plans, addressing unique challenges such as valuation complexities, funding stages, and ownership structures.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how private firms determine equity value using methods like Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and Comparable Company Analysis (CCA), crucial for setting fair strike prices and managing long-term incentives.
  • Learn how private companies adapt their equity compensation strategies through various financing rounds and in preparation for potential IPOs, balancing employee incentives with investor interests.
  • Explore common equity compensation structures, vesting schedules, and administrative practices used by private companies to attract, motivate, and retain key talent while managing ownership dilution.
LOCATION:
Palmovka 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025, 09:45 - 10:45
Design and strategy
8.5 Driving Ownership at Scale: Inside DHL’s Global ESPP Rollout

Gordon Rosch, EY (DE)
Bernd Schmelzer, DHL Group (DE)
 

Global
BREAKOUT VIII

Explore how DHL successfully implemented a global employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) for 600,000 employees across up to 150 countries. This session highlights the strategic design, rollout approach, and innovative engagement strategies that empowered frontline workers to embrace ownership.

Discover how the ESPP fosters a culture of co-ownership, aligning employee success with the company’s goals while navigating the complexities of scaling across diverse regions and workforces.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how to design a globally scalable ESPP that balances business objectives with local needs.
  • Explore practical strategies for implementing ESPPs across large and geographically dispersed employee populations.
  • Gain actionable insights into engaging frontline workers and driving a strong culture of ownership.
LOCATION:
Karlin 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O