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GEO INSIGHTS

ACCESS THE LATEST GLOBAL EQUITY COMPENSATION INSIGHTS

Read industry news, explore technical updates, access ideas on global employee compensation innovation, and find ways to connect.

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ARTICLE
16 April 2026
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PROPOSES INTRODUCTION OF EU EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLANS
External News

Arthur Cox

Legal and regulatory
All plan types
European Union

On 18 March 2026, the European Commission proposed “EU Inc.”, a new optional EU-wide corporate structure designed to simplify cross-border operations, boost competitiveness, and support startup growth through a harmonised set of corporate rules. A key feature is the introduction of EU employee stock option plans (EU-ESOs), which would allow companies to grant portable stock options across EU member states and defer taxation until the shares are sold, helping employees avoid “dry tax” on unrealised gains. The proposal would significantly change the treatment of share options in countries like Ireland by aligning EU-ESOs more closely with Ireland’s Key Employee Engagement Programme, and it is now under review by the European Parliament and Council with a target agreement date by the end of 2026.

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
21 May 2026, 4 - 7pm CEST
ITALY CHAPTER MEETING - MILAN
ITALY CHAPTER

Milano, IT

Italy

Partecipa all’evento GEO a Milano: cultura aziendale e piani di azionariato diffuso

Siamo lieti di invitarti al prossimo evento del GEO Italian Chapter a Milano, dedicato al legame tra cultura organizzativa e partecipazione azionaria dei dipendenti.

Relatori: Francesca Montanaro (Snam) e Jimmy Delon (EssilorLuxottica)

Come fanno i piani di azionariato diffuso a diventare parte integrante della cultura di un’azienda? A partire da esperienze concrete, Francesca e Jimmy condivideranno riflessioni sulle scelte progettuali, sui modelli operativi adottati e sugli effetti nel lungo periodo dell’integrazione della partecipazione azionaria nell’esperienza dei dipendenti.

Esamineremo insieme come le organizzazioni possano evolvere dai modelli di lavoro tradizionali verso forme più partecipative, capaci di rafforzare il coinvolgimento, accrescere il senso di responsabilità e allineare le persone agli obiettivi strategici. La sessione andrà oltre gli aspetti quantitativi, per approfondire come il sentirsi direttamente coinvolti nei risultati dell’azienda influenzi i comportamenti, orienti le decisioni e favorisca un impegno condiviso nel tempo.

Che tu stia migliorando un piano già attivo o valutando nuove soluzioni, sarà un’occasione utile per raccogliere spunti concreti e confrontarti con altri professionisti nel cuore di Milano.

Ti aspettiamo!

 

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Join GEO in Milan: Balance Culture and Employee Share Plans

We’re delighted to invite you to an upcoming GEO Chapter event in Milan, where we’ll explore the powerful intersection between organisational culture and employee share ownership.

SPEAKERS: Francesca Montanaro, Snam | Jimmy Delon, EssilorLuxottica

How do broad-based employee share plans truly take root within a company’s culture? Through a compelling real-world perspective, Francesca will share insights into the design choices, operational frameworks, and long-term impact of embedding equity into the employee experience.

Together, we’ll examine how organisations can transition from traditional employment models to shared-equity frameworks—enhancing engagement, strengthening accountability, and aligning people more closely with business strategy. This session goes beyond the numbers to explore how “skin in the game” influences behaviours, shapes decision-making, and fosters a collective commitment to long-term success.

Whether you’re refining an existing plan or exploring new approaches, this is a valuable opportunity to gain practical insights and connect with peers in the heart of Milan.

This event will be in Italian.

We look forward to welcoming you!

LOCATION:
Generali
Piazza Tre Torri 1
20159 Milano
MI, Italy

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.  

Members and non-members are welcome to attend.  Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
27 May 2026, 9:30am - 12pm CEST
SPAIN CHAPTER MEETING - BARCELONA
Spain Chapter meeting
Barcelona, Spain
Spain

Join GEO in Barcelona: GEO Chapter Meeting on Spanish Equity Plans and AI

We’re delighted to invite you to an upcoming GEO Chapter meeting in Barcelona—bringing together industry experts and peers to explore what’s working (and what isn’t) in Spanish equity plans, and how aligning incentives can support long-term success.

SPEAKERS: Gilad Barnoy, Deel | Pol Cots, Cuatrecasas | Augustin Serban, The Magnum Ice Cream Company | Joao Teque, Galderma | Sergio Perez, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions

SESSION ONE – Navigating Payroll Challenges in Equity Compensation: A Practical Review for Spain
Take part in a practical deep dive into the most common payroll challenges faced when managing equity incentives in Spain. Featuring insights from experts at Deel and Cuatrecasas, this session will explore real-world scenarios, highlight compliance pitfalls, and share actionable best practices to help you manage equity payroll with confidence.

SESSION TWO – Unregulated Intelligence: AI’s Growing Impact on Equity Incentives and Data Protection
As AI continues to reshape equity compensation, new opportunities—and risks—are emerging. Hear from industry leaders as they examine the implications of limited regulation, evolving data protection concerns, and what organisations should be doing now to stay ahead in this rapidly changing space.

Stay with us after the sessions for our interactive “AI in an Equity World” quiz game, hosted by quizmaster Christian Hyldig—a fun and engaging way to wrap up the day while testing your knowledge alongside peers.

We look forward to welcoming you in Barcelona!

LOCATION
Av. Diagonal
191
Sant Martí
08018 Barcelona

REGISTRATION AND COST

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
20 May 2026, 11:30am - 1:30pm EDT
CANADA CHAPTER MEETING - MONTREAL
toronto chapter meeting

Montreal, Quebec

Trending now
All plan types
Canada

The GEO Toronto Chapter is delighted to invite you to a special in-person event in Montreal, bringing together the local equity compensation community for an engaging afternoon of learning, insight, and connection.

This dynamic program is designed to explore the latest trends, challenges, and strategies shaping today’s equity compensation landscape—equipping you with practical ideas and actionable takeaways to strengthen your programmes and enhance your impact as an equity leader.

Speakers: Amelie Desrochers, Deloitte; Sheila Frierson, Computershare

SESSION ONE: Myth Busters – Global Share Plans Unveiled
Cut through the noise and challenge common misconceptions around implementing global share plans. This interactive session will explore how local qualified plans—across the UK, US, and Ireland—can continue to deliver value within a global framework. Hear directly from industry experts and take the opportunity to have your questions answered in an open discussion.

SESSION TWO: Curious About the Future of Equity Compensation?
Be among the first to hear exclusive insights from the 2025 Global Equity Insights Survey. We’ll dive into emerging trends in reporting, equal pay, and the growing influence of AI on equity programmes—alongside key considerations for Canadian-based issuers. Expect fresh perspectives and practical insights you can apply immediately.

A light lunch will be provided, offering additional time to network with peers and continue the conversation.

We look forward to welcoming you in Montreal!

REGISTRATION AND COST
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

LOCATION
La Tour Deloitte
1190 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal
Suite 500
Quebec H3B 0M7
 

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
28 May 2026, 12:30 - 2:30pm MDT
GREATER ROCKIES CHAPTER MEETING - SALT LAKE CITY
utah may

Salt Lake City, UT

Trending now
All plan types
USA

JOIN GEO IN SALT LAKE CITY: EQUITY COMPENSATION ROUNDTABLE AND NETWORKING

SPEAKERS: Lenka Haase, Fidelity; | Andrew Barrus, Procore Technologies | Amberly Fullmer, Reddit | Michael McComas, Morgan Stanley Adam McDonald, Insightsoftware

We’re pleased to invite you to an engaging afternoon in Salt Lake City, bringing together equity compensation professionals for a focused and collaborative discussion on the evolving landscape of our field.

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to exploring the latest developments in equity compensation. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of plan administration or aiming to stay ahead of regulatory changes, this session offers a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day demands and engage in high-level, strategic discussion with your peers.

Through an interactive roundtable format, you’ll gain fresh perspectives, share experiences, and walk away with practical insights to help you address current challenges and plan for what’s ahead.

Following the session, stay with us for networking and a relaxed social gathering—an ideal chance to continue the conversation and strengthen connections within the local community.

We look forward to welcoming you in Salt Lake City!

LOCATION
Fidelity Salt Lake Office
49 N 400 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

REGISTRATION AND COST
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required. 

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

ARTICLE
10 April 2026
CONSULTATION ON LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR TAX INCENTIVES FOR STARTUPS - EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS
External News

PwC

Finance, tax and accounting
All plan types
Netherlands

The Netherlands is proposing new tax incentives to support startups and scale-ups, including a favorable employee stock option regime where only 65% of benefits are taxed and tax is deferred until shares are sold. It also introduces a clearer definition of startups for tax purposes to improve access to talent and investment. To fund this, existing entrepreneur tax deductions will be reduced in 2027 and abolished by 2030.

ARTICLE
6 April 2026
HS287 CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEMES 2026
External News

HM Revenue & Customs

Finance, tax and accounting
All plan types
UK and Channel Islands

This HMRC helpsheet explains how employee share schemes and share options are treated for Capital Gains Tax, covering approved schemes (like SIP, SAYE, CSOP, EMI) and unapproved arrangements. In general, your CGT cost is what you paid for the shares plus any amount already taxed as employment income, with special rules for different schemes (for example, SIP shares can be CGT-free if held correctly, and EMI options get favourable treatment including from grant date for relief purposes). It also sets out administrative rules such as reporting requirements, elections (like same-day share acquisition elections), transfers to ISAs or pensions, and reliefs for certain disposals, all of which affect how and when tax is calculated on employee-related shares.

ARTICLE
3 April 2026
OWNERSHIP CULTURE: HOW ESOPS HELP COMPANIES ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT
External News

Menke & Associates

Employee engagement
Stock options
USA

As competition for talent increases, more companies are turning to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to improve retention, strengthen culture, and give employees a financial stake in the business. ESOPs allow employees to gradually accumulate company shares through tax-advantaged retirement structures, with growing adoption across the U.S. as a tool for succession planning and workforce engagement. While they require careful structuring, business leaders see employee ownership as a long-term strategy that aligns company success with employee wealth-building and loyalty.

ARTICLE
1 April 2026
GLOBAL SNAPSHOT - HOT EMPLOYMENT LAW TOPICS FOR 2026
External News

Squire Patton Boggs

Legal and regulatory
All plan types
Global

The Squire Patton Boggs report on “Hot Employment Law Topics for 2026” highlights that a central global theme is ongoing regulatory “change,” with many jurisdictions introducing new employment laws that generally increase worker protections and expand employer obligations. Key focus areas include pay transparency and pay equity requirements, growing AI and technology regulation in the workplace, and stricter rules around compliance, data protection, and employee rights. Overall, the report emphasises that employers should expect higher legal, financial, and compliance risks in 2026 and will need to proactively adapt policies and workforce practices to keep up.

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