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ARTICLE

22 January 2024

BELGIUM: EQUITY BASED COMPENSATION NOT – ALWAYS – SUBJECT TO EMPLOYEE SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS

Baker McKenzie

Finance, tax and accounting

All plan types

Belgium

In a landmark decision, the Antwerp Labour Court of Appeals ruled that Belgian employee social security contributions are not due on equity-based compensation (RSUs) granted by a U.S. parent company to employees of its Belgian subsidiary. The court concluded that these RSUs were not provided as part of the employees' service to the Belgian subsidiary but were instead granted by the U.S. parent company to retain employees long-term, with the parent company assuming full financial and legal responsibility. This decision provides an opportunity for companies to review their equity compensation policies and potentially claim refunds for social security contributions paid in the past three years.

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ARTICLE

11 January 2024

SUCCESS OF APAVE'S SECOND EMPLOYEE SHARE OWNERSHIP PLAN 72% OF EMPLOYEES TOOK UP THE OFFER

Apave

General

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)

France

Apave has successfully completed its second employee shareholding offer, continuing its commitment to involving employees in the Group's long-term development and performance. With 72% of eligible employees in France participating—an increase from the first offer in 2021—this initiative provides employees with shareholder opportunities through an FCPE, featuring special subscription conditions like matching contributions and discounts. Employee shareholders now hold 2.6% of Apave's capital, reinforcing the Group's dedication to employee engagement and shared success.

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VIRTUAL CHAPTER EVENT

12 December 2023, 9 - 10am EST

DACH Chapter Meeting

SPEAKERS: Gordon Rosch, EY; David Voggeser, hkp///group; Sebastian Wetzel, Siemens Energy

Germany

UNPACKING THE FUTURE FINANCING ACT

Join our expert panel for an in-depth exploration of the transformative Future Financing Act and its profound implications on the financial domain. Delivered by industry leaders, this session unveils the intricacies of recent legislative changes, tax regulations, and global classifications that are redefining the financial landscape.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

Comprehensive legislative overview: Acquire a nuanced understanding of recent legislative changes and their far-reaching implications, gaining insights into how they shape the financial terrain.
ESPP and MAB impact analysis: Investigate the direct impacts on Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP) and Management and Board (MAB) designs, unraveling market practices specific to Europe.
Strategies for implementation challenges: Navigate the intricacies of ongoing employee stock purchase plans by arming yourself with practical strategies to adapt and thrive in the dynamically evolving financial environment.

We look forward to seeing you!

Please note this meeting will be presented in German.

The DACH Chapter Team

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

6 December 2023, 4:30 - 9pm GMT

UK AND CHANNEL ISLANDS DECEMBER NETWORKING EVENT

UK and Channel Islands

As 2023 draws to a close - the GEO UK Chapter team invites you to join us for some year-end updates, networking and fun!

Linklaters will kindly host, as we share 2023 industry updates and highlights, and offer a chance for a bit of healthy competition - it’s your opportunity to take our quiz and find out if you are part of the share plan 1% club! It will also be your last chance to try and top the GEO UK Chapter leader board before the year is out.

WHEN?
Wednesday 6 December from 4:30 - 7:30pm

WHERE?
Linklaters, 1 Silk St, London EC2Y 8HQ

Followed by optional festive fun at a venue nearby.

We look forward to seeing you there – hopefully in your best festive outfit!

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LIVE WEBCAST

5 December 2023, 12 - 1:15pm EST

COMPENSATION AND EQUITY PLAN DESIGN ALTERNATIVES FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES

SPEAKERS: Kristen Kostner, BDO, Tom Ziemba, BDO, Issuer Guest

Global

Although long-term incentive awards have long been a key component of executive total compensation packages in public companies, they have been growing in prominence at private companies as a viable tool to attract and retain top talent. Join us for a discussion of the pros and cons of cash and equity-based LTI awards at private companies and how the selection of the appropriate LTI vehicle is linked to program goals and the life cycle stage of the company.

This session will cover the following topics:

Overview of LTI trends in private companies
Overview of most prevalent cash and equity-based vehicles for private companies
Summary of the key features and plan mechanics, pros and cons for employers and employees, and alignment with company life cycle stage

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

28 November 2023, 4:30 - 6:30pm EST

GEO TORONTO CHAPTER MEETING

Ali Abid, CCGG
Assad Mallick, TELUS Health
Amanda Voegeli, Southlea Group

Canada

EXPLORING BEST PRACTICES IN SHARE OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES

The expert panel will dive into the world of share ownership guidelines, shedding light on their importance in aligning management interests with shareholders.

Attend to discover insights from the 2022 review conducted by the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, an essential report that analyzes proxy circular disclosures from 237 Canadian companies.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

Discover the essential components of effective share ownership guidelines.
Gain insights into methods for accurately valuing equity securities.
Understand the best practices for treating unvested awards and their impact on share ownership policies.

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IN-PERSON REGIONAL EVENT

16 November 2023, 8am - 5pm GMT

GEO'S PAN EUROPEAN REGIONAL EVENT

LOCATION: Berlin, Germany

European Union

Global

We are thrilled to gather the GEO community in the vibrant city of Berlin for 2023 Pan European Regional Event, where we will delve into the dynamic and ever-evolving European landscape. Join us for insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and the latest updates in the world of global equity.

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

9 November 2023, 4 - 7pm CET

GEO NETHERLANDS CHAPTER MEETING

Carine Schneider, Compass Equity
Maurice Beckand Verwee, Curiosity VC
Jason Stewart, Fledgrr

Netherlands

USA

Revolutionizing equity compensation the Silicon Valley way

Join us at the historic Het West-Indisch Huis for an insightful panel discussion that delves into the dynamic world of Equity Compensation Administration. In this intellectually stimulating gathering, industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals will come together to explore key aspects of equity compensation management, including the new plan design concepts straight from the venture capital community, trends in U.S. share plan design and the role of AI and how administration is changing in response to AI.

In this session, you will learn about

Recent share plan design changes in the start-up world with views from Silicon Valley
The role of AI and Equity Compensation administration
Getting the right reward benchmarking data
Public versus private company design changes

AGENDA

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Arrival
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Presentation from Compass Equity & Panel Discussion
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Networking drinks/Borrel

LOCATION:

Het West-Indisch Huis
Herenmarkt 99
1013 EC Amsterdam

There is no cost for this chapter meeting. Both GEO Member and Non-Members are welcome. But registration is required. Please click Registration and Register Now in the above menu.

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LIVE WEBCAST

7 November 2023, 12 - 1:15pm EST

GLOBAL COMPLIANCE UPDATE

SPEAKERS: Ashlee Boe, Lucid Motors; Louise Walker, Deutsche Bank; Becky Moore, Tapestry Compliance; Rebecca Perry, Tapestry Compliance; Emilie Sylvester, Tapestry Compliance

Global

Stay ahead of the curve with our comprehensive incentive plans global compliance update! In this session, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the latest regulatory, legal and tax changes affecting share plans on a global scale. Whether you are an HR professional, a compensation specialist, or an executive involved in equity compensation or providing services to companies in this area, this update is a must-attend event to ensure your company remains compliant and competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of incentive plans.

In the session, you will:

Learn what’s changed and where!
Understand the complexities of complying with diverse regulatory frameworks across different countries
Gain valuable insights into how leading organisations are adapting to the changing compliance landscape and proactively addressing challenges to maximize plan effectiveness
Discover practical approaches to managing tax compliance efficiently while minimizing potential risks and tax burdens for your company and participants

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

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

COST
GEO members: No charge
GEO non-members*: $85

Become a GEO member to attend webcasts for free in the future!

*Fees are non-refundable. Recordings are available to access on-demand following the webcast.

Registration is required. Connection and login instructions are sent to registered participants prior to this webcast.

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GEO VIRTUAL 2023 - ON DEMAND

Access 20+ live, 30 'Best of Edinburgh sessions and an inspiring keynote on-demand.

Available until 15 September

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