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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, 8 Jun 2023, 14:00 - 14:50
Operational effectiveness
GIVING AWAY THE GOLD - DESIGNING AN OPTIMIZED GRANT PROCESS

Speakers: Andrew Barrus, ProCore Technologies (US), Steve Campbell, Paypal (US), Michael McComas, Morgan Stanley at Work (US)

Global
BREAKOUT I

Dive into cutting-edge techniques for optimizing your new grant process in this informative session. The expert panel will guide you through best practices and help you navigate potential pitfalls, covering both upstream and downstream issues.

Discover valuable tips and tricks for constructing a robust grant reconciliation process, regardless of the systems you use to manage your new grants. Furthermore, we will share our insights on how recent industry trends are reshaping traditional approaches to stock allocation.

Attendees will learn:

  • How to streamline the new grant process through automation techniques for efficiency and accuracy.
  • The importance of addressing cross-border considerations and compliance when managing global grant challenges.
  • The secrets of effective project management that ensures the smooth execution of global grants.
Thursday, 8 Jun 2023, 14:00 - 14:50
Design and strategy
TAKEOVERS: TOP TEN TIPS

SPEAKERS: Cathy Wears, CMS (UK), Magdalena Spasova, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., Aleda Denner, Investec

Global
BREAKOUT I

Share plans are vital in corporate takeovers, impacting employees—the most valuable asset of companies. Buyers and sellers strive to achieve the best outcome, recognizing employees' contributions and maintaining motivation. Factors to consider include external regulations for employee communication and commercial pressures for timely deal completion.

In this session, the expert panel explore key themes: communication strategies, technology use, and global legal and tax implications in takeovers. Drawing from real-life experiences, they will share ten top tips for effective planning and execution, ensuring employee engagement and seamless collaboration among stakeholders.

Attendees will learn:

  • The legal and tax implications of a takeover on share plans, including accelerated non-vested awards.
  • The importance of effective employee communication and explore the use of technology for information dissemination and tracking elections and acceptances.
  • The global impact of a transaction on share plans, including non-home jurisdictions and unique considerations for tax-advantaged plans.
Thursday, 26 Oct 2023, 13:10 - 14:00
5 EQUITY PLAN NUMBERS TO HAVE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

SPEAKERS: Elena Thomas, OptionTrax; Ken Lockett, OptionTrax; Kay Tanaka, TAE Technologies 

Performance shares
Global
BREAKOUT I

For stock plan administrators, one of the biggest dreads is that sudden urgent call from the CFO, Board, Comp Committee etc., looking for specific information from the equity comp plan. And it always seems to be an emergency!

This session aims to ease the dread by covering 5 key figures that administrators should have on hand or know where to quickly find. The discussion will cover key figures relevant for both Private and Public companies and our speakers include an issuer at a fast-growing energy technology company, as well as veteran administration providers serving both public and private issuer clients. For each figure we will cover the definition, who is likely to be interested in the figure and why, and how the figure is derived. Key figures include: Shares Available to Issue, Dilution and Overhang, Run Rate/ Burn Rate, 162(m) calcs, and Compensation "Actually Paid". 

 

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

Thursday, 26 Oct 2023, 13:10 - 14:00
LIFE INTERRUPTED - IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICES FOR LEAVES OF ABSENCE IN A COMPLEX LEGAL LANDSCAPE

SPEAKERS: Denise Glagau, Baker McKenzie; Lillian Nguyen, Meta Platforms; Wendy Spears, Adobe

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT I

Life-changing events can create challenges for global share plan administration, and things become even more complicated when you add in regulatory requirements in numerous locations. Leaves of absence seem to be on the rise around the world and companies are increasingly examining their approach to dealing with leaves for their equity programs. This panel will discuss different philosophies companies have in dealing with leaves of absence for long-term incentive awards like RSUs and options as well as for employee stock purchase programs.

This session will help you identify and avoid potential legal and practical pitfalls in handling leaves of absence for global share plans and offer practical solutions for companies trying to balance administrative challenges while managing compliance risks for a multijurisdictional population. Join us for words of wisdom from two Silicon-Valley based tech companies who have tackled LoA challenges and lived to tell about it!

 

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

Thursday, 16 Nov 2023, 08:30 - 09:30
Legal and regulatory
1.1 EUROPEAN SHARE PLAN INSIGHTS: EQUITY OFFERINGS ACROSS THE CONTINENT

Will Clifton, Baker McKenzie
Don-Tobias Jol, Baker McKenzie
Ludmilla Maurer, Baker McKenzie

 

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Restricted shares
Stock options
European Union
France
Germany
Netherlands
Russia
UK and Channel Islands
BREAKOUT I

Join our enlightening session as we unravel the intricate web of country-specific challenges in Europe and equip you with the knowledge to overcome them effectively.

Don't miss this opportunity to arm yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in the diverse regulatory landscape of European markets.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Navigate legal hurdles: Delve into the key tax, legal, and administrative challenges that businesses encounter in various European jurisdictions, including Belgium, Germany, Russia, the UK, France, and more.
  • Stay informed on enforcement: Stay ahead of the curve by gaining insights into enforcement activities that could impact your company's operations.
  • Create a strategic action plan: Leave the session with a concrete action plan to address these challenges head-on. Discover how to leverage country-specific appendices and compliance matrices to tackle issues such as securities exemptions, data privacy, tax withholding obligations, entitlement matters, and more across Europe.

 

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit: 1.0 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.


 

Thursday, 16 Nov 2023, 08:30 - 09:30
Design and strategy
1.2 TRABANT: DOES THE SAME VEHICLE WORK FOR ALL?

Alexy Armitage, bp
Marc Muntermann, Siemens Energy
Maya Wright, Iron Mountain

Global
BREAKOUT I

Join us for a captivating panel discussion featuring issuer companies as we dissect the concept of global share plans. Is a one-size-fits-all approach akin to the utilitarian Trabant car the way to go, or should it be as unique as a designer car tailored to specific needs?

Don't miss this engaging session that promises to provide clarity on the balance between standardization and customization in global share plans, leaving you well-informed and ready to make informed decisions for your organization.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understanding plan varieties: Explore the various types of global share plans and gain a comprehensive understanding of their distinct characteristics.
  • Efficiency vs. customization: Delve into the discussion of whether global share plans should prioritize efficiency and standardization, like a production line, or embrace customization to cater to unique requirements.
  • Rolling out plans: Learn about the ease or complexity involved in rolling out different types of global share plans, and discover strategies for successful implementation.

 

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit: 1.0 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.


 

Thursday, 16 Nov 2023, 08:30 - 09:30
Trending now
1.3 CRYPTO AS AN INCENTIVE: FROM ESOP TO VSOP TO COP

Cathy Wears, CMS
Martin Friedberg, CMS

Germany
Global
UK and Channel Islands
BREAKOUT I

Join this enlightening session that sees our expert panel provide a beginner's guide to the dynamic realm of crypto assets and their emerging role as rewards and salaries, both within the crypto sector and across industries. Discover the compelling reasons behind companies' adoption of these innovative incentive structures.

This user-friendly and thought-provoking session will equip you with valuable knowledge about crypto assets as incentives and provide insights into the future landscape of employee compensation.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Crypto asset basics: Understand crypto assets with a user-friendly overview, covering terms like security tokens, utility tokens, exchange tokens, bitcoin, and NFTs, to grasp the essentials.
  • Taxation and compliance: Delve into taxation complexities, valuation methods, legal aspects, and regulatory considerations linked to crypto assets. Focus on Germany and the UK's regulatory landscapes and approaches for companies.
  • Future of crypto Incentives: Join a forward-looking discussion on crypto currencies as employee incentives, exploring implications and possibilities in innovative compensation methods.

 

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group live
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit: 1.0 credits

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

Tuesday, 9 Apr 2024, 15:15 - 16:15
Operational effectiveness
1.1 Mastering stock market essentials for enhanced employee share plans

Dave Lanka, Bank of America
Sean O'Brien, Bank of America
 

All plan types
Global
BREAKOUT I

Dive into a comprehensive session led by an expert panel, unraveling the intricacies of stock market operations crucial for optimizing employee stock plans. Gain insights into the evolution and functioning of the stock market, demystifying the roles of brokers and floor traders, and understanding order flow and share settlement. Explore the nuances of trade processing, the actual cost of trading shares, and the significance of trade execution. Learn to ask pertinent questions of your stock plan provider and safeguard participants' interests. Understand the impact of recent regulatory updates on trading, including amendments to SEC Rule 10b5-1, changes to Rule 144, and SEC Form 4 filings. Benefit from real-world experiences, including handling large block trading scenarios.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Basics and evolution of the stock market, and its contemporary operation
  • Understanding the actual cost of trading and its implications for participants
  • Navigating recent regulatory updates and their impact on employee stock plans

 

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 4
Tuesday, 9 Apr 2024, 15:15 - 16:15
Design and strategy
1.2 Crafting the melody of employee ownership from SAYE to ESPP and beyond

Hannah Needle, FGE, Tapestry Compliance
Matthew Hunter, Tapestry Compliance
Ashlee Boe, Lucid Motors
Julie Shepherd, FGE, The Sage Group

 

Discount shares
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT I

Join our expert panel to delve into the intricate decisions of local vs. global, discount vs. matching, fixed vs. flexible in an employee share plan. Uncover the melody as the panel discusses how factors like home country, industry, participant needs, and company objectives shape plan design.

Learn firsthand from success stories like Lucid Motors' global discounted share purchase plan, Sage's reimagined global Save and Share plan, and why two companies on opposite sides of the pond opted for a US tax-qualified ESPP. Don't miss this session on orchestrating your ideal plan design.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Discover navigating influential factors in plan design
  • Explore success stories in global share purchase plans
  • Uncover strategic considerations for effective employee share plans

 

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:
Midtown 1