Annual Conference

Breakout One

Walking forward together – How Diageo connected global employees to their company strategy through the power of share ownership

Speakers:

Diageo and guests

Breakout Two

Enhancing Equity Compensation Through Financial Education

Speakers:

J.P. Morgan and guests

Breakout Three

PISCES and practicalities

Speakers:

Equiniti and guests

Breakout One

Navigating the Fog: Investing with Confidence Amidst Market

Speakers:

Mitan Patel Head of Global Market Development and Partnerships, Fidelity

Tom Stevenson     Investment Director, Fidelity

In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and shifting economic landscapes, uncertainty has become the new normal. This session will explore how investors and financial professionals can not only survive but thrive amid volatility.

Tom Stevenson, investment director at Fidelity, will share his perspective on staying grounded and making thoughtful decisions in turbulent times. Drawing on historical market cycles, behavioral finance, and his experience navigating crises—from the dot-com bubble to the COVID-19 pandemic—Tom will offer insights into how investors can build resilience and confidence, even when the outlook is unclear.

Guiding the conversation will be Fidelity's Mitan Patel, who will moderate the session and pose timely questions to Tom throughout. Mitan will also contribute his own views from the perspective of employee share plans and retail investing, enriching the discussion with practical insights and real-world relevance.

With a particular focus on the UK, the session will examine how global uncertainty intersects with domestic challenges such as inflation, interest rate shifts, and political change. The discussion will address the implications for UK savers, pension schemes, and retail investors, offering actionable strategies to navigate market noise and identify long-term opportunities.

This session will provide grounded, forward-looking insights tailored to the realities of the UK investment landscape.

Breakout Two

Successful Share Plan Communications

Speakers:

Eximia and guests

Breakout Three

Navigating the Cyber Frontier: Insights into Today's Threat Landscape

Speakers:

Optio and guests

Breakout One

Tariffs and Share Plans: Risks, Reactions, and Resilience

Speakers:

Deloitte and Guests

Breakout Two

Discretionary Plans: broadening the use of discretionary plans beyond the top table

Speakers:

Linklaters

Mishcon de Reya

Breakout Three

Share plans expense - why size matters (and not in the way you'd think!)

Speakers:

Peter Ahern Public Markets Lead, Ledgy

Christian Hyldig CEP Head of EMEA Equity Services, Associate Partner, AON

Svein Petter Undheim Ledgy

In an era where everyone is being challenged to do more with less…how can issuers reduce their expense without compromising the attractiveness of their share plans? In the wrong hands it can be a dry, technocratic topic but share plans expensing is a strategic and hugely important subject, especially in budget-constrained times. We will outline different strategies that can be applied to reduce cost, without adjusting eligibility. We will also explore the tensions between the US trend of introducing more discretion into performance conditions and the issues that this can cause with measurement.

Breakout One

The highs and the lows” - share plans during periods of economic uncertainty

Speakers:

Sarah Long Head of Share Plans. WEALTH at work

Carla Walsham Senior Associate, Tapestry Compliance

Economic uncertainty seems here to stay. However, planning for the unknown can feel impossible! This session brings together a diverse panel of share plan professionals to explore how economic uncertainty impacts awards at every stage, from design, grant and vesting. We’ve witnessed the economic uncertainty from the financial crisis, covid, tariffs and political disputes and how they have impacted awards and decision making. We’ll share the highs and lows of these worldwide events along with real-world stories and practical insights to support informed decision-making and future-proofing. 

From global crises to industry-specific shifts, we’ll examine how governance, communication and financial education can empower both issuers and participants. Crucially, we’ll discuss the flexibility that is key so that you have the right tools and choices in your share plans tool box to react to the unknown. We will also cover good news stories - economic uncertainty doesn’t always mean bad news!

Breakout Two

Level up: Thriving in a long-term career in incentives and equity

Speakers:

Howells Associates and guests

Breakout Three

What can AI already do for you and what next?

Speakers:

EY and guests

This session explores key technologies that are already available to use daily that are helping drive efficiency in share plans and reduce time spent on manual processes.

Discussion will cover: AI (including Agentic AI), CoPilot and Power Apps, as well as other tools. 

This session includes a case study of using technology to automate the grant process to drive efficiencies and accuracies, including: 
- pulling data from multiple sources before cleansing, checking and reconciling share plan data; 
- utilising AI to interpret data and grant positions; 
- using data visualisation and dashboards to interpret data and gain key insights; and
- drafting approval documents (such as board minutes) for grants. 

Broader technology uses will also be explored, including:
-mailbox tracking and management; and
- assignment data tracking.

The session will finally consider what is next in the world of AI, including the possible applications of Agentic AI in managing processes.

Breakout One

Unlocking the potential of global equity: practical strategies for success in an ever-changing world

Speakers:

Alex Cook Associate Director, Deloitte

Charles Goodwin Head of executive and deferred compensation, SCB

Dan Nelson Share Plan Manager, Sage

Caroline Wong Share Plan Manager, Rio Tinto

Breakout Two

Discretionary Plans: broadening the use of discretionary plans beyond the top table

Speakers:

MUFG and guests

Breakout Three

Making the switch from global Sharesave to a Global Purchase Plan