AI: coming for a job near you! Or is it? In this full and frank fireside chat, GEO's Gabbi Stopp will moderate a discussion with two highly-experienced, leading lights in the global equity space, Mark Higgins of WPP and Julie Shepherd of Sage Group. Both these firms are already harnessing the transformative power of AI across their businesses, and are actively exploring AI's potential for aspects of equity compensation. Both these speakers have charted highly successful careers in global equity issuance. Join us to engage with the biggest challenge and opportunity for our industry, and come away informed, inspired and hopefully, illuminated!

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Discover how WPP and Sage Group are integrating AI into their equity compensation strategies
• Gain insights into the opportunities and challenges AI presents for the global equity industry
• Learn from the experiences of leading experts in global equity issuance on harnessing AI's transformative power.

Employee share plans play a critical role in fostering employee engagement, retention, and alignment with business objectives. In this panel session, we will explore how leading FTSE companies have implemented and adapted their employee share plans to suit their unique business strategies. Join us as industry experts discuss their real-world experiences, challenges, and key takeaways from designing and managing these initiatives.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Gain insights into how different FTSE companies structure their employee share plans to reflect their organizational goals and cultures.
• Understand common obstacles faced during implementation and management of employee share plans, and explore strategies to overcome them.
• Learn how employee share plans are leveraged to reinforce company values, drive business performance, and support long-term strategic objectives.

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.

Discover how generative AI can revolutionise your share plans in this hands-on session. Watch a live demo of tools enhancing plan design, communication, disclosure, and more for plan participants, compensation committees, and shareholders. See practical examples of how generative AI boosts clarity, generates ideas, and provides instant expertise. We’ll also address privacy and confidentiality issues related to AI tools. 

Plus, meet Clarita, Clariant’s internal chatbot, which has been a valuable resource for over 1,000 employees since its launch in 2023.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• See how generative AI tools can enhance plan design, communication, and disclosure with live demonstrations
• Learn how AI can generate ideas, improve clarity, and add instant expertise to your share plans
• Understand best practices for managing privacy and confidentiality with generative AI tools

Explore how recent global changes are reshaping equity plans in this insightful session. We’ll delve into the impact of the evolving economic climate, shifts in government and workplace dynamics, and the changing role of employee equity plans. Our panel of experts will provide perspectives from economists, equity issuers, advisors, and providers, highlighting trends in awards, metrics, and structures. 

Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for leveraging equity as a powerful tool for organisational success in a competitive, globalised world.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand how recent economic and geopolitical changes affect stock plan design and usage.
• Learn how workplace disruptions and government shifts impact employee equity plans and performance awards.
• Discover practical strategies and real-life examples to navigate equity trends and shape successful companies.

Ready to take your employee stock plan global? Discover why a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work and learn how to tailor your plan for each jurisdiction. Our panel will cover essential considerations for rolling out your plan internationally, from adhering to local regulations to optimizing participation rates. We'll explore data privacy variations, local labor laws, and strategies to manage cultural and language barriers. Get a high-level overview of customizations needed, a deep dive into data privacy regulations across regions, and best practices for engaging employees and streamlining your global plan.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Learn how to tailor your stock plan for different jurisdictions to meet local regulations and boost participation
• Understand data privacy requirements in the EU, EEA, UK, APAC, South America, and compare them to North American laws
• Discover strategies to overcome cultural and language barriers and streamline your global plan

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

Explore the financial reporting impacts of share plan designs in this case-study presentation by Amadeus. The expert panel will cover the financial reporting impacts of share plan designs and the key requirements of IFRS 2, including how various plan designs influence valuations, amortisation, and expense recognition.

Learn about the complexities of performance plans, effective reporting and disclosure practices, and strategies for communicating impacts to stakeholders. This session is perfect for HR and equity compensation professionals looking to enhance their understanding and application of IFRS 2.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand the requirements of IFRS 2 and its implications for share-based payments
• Learn how different plan designs affect valuation, amortisation, and performance plans
• Discover best practices for reporting, disclosure, and stakeholder communication under IFRS 2

Explore how creativity and technology can transform employee communications in this inspirational session. Delve into the use of innovative digital tools—beyond traditional animation and interactive brochures—to enhance employee engagement. The panel will address practical questions such as the effectiveness of these tools, overcoming resource constraints, and actionable steps to immediately improve your digital experience. Feel inspired, energised and dazzled by the possibilities.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Discover how advanced digital tools can significantly enhance employee engagement beyond traditional methods
• Learn practical strategies from experts for implementing innovative communication techniques, even with limited resources
• Get inspired with actionable steps to evolve your digital experience for better results