In Focus
In Focus Autumn 2025
Welcome to InFocus
I’m delighted to welcome you to our latest edition of InFocus.
Since our last edition in November, we completed a busy season of year-end reporting, preparing annual tax reporting for many participants and managing client vesting activity and the allocation of new awards and grants for many of our customers.
In the UK, we saw Computershare clients win ProShare awards for their successful share plan design, as well as a few people (myself included) who were fortunate to be recognised for their contributions. And now the GEO Annual Conference and Awards will be held in April – and we are cheering on those of you shortlisted for an award.
In the US we have seen continued changes in the regulatory environment, including the proposed changes to US Section 16 reporting obligations and the significant change with UK and European markets moving from T+2 to a T+1 settlement cycle announced for 2027.
And finally, on a personal note, as some of you may be aware, after working over 20 years in the share plan industry in Europe, I have announced that I will be retiring in early 2027. I will begin this change with a move to Global Chief Commercial Officer, Employee Share Plans, as of April 2026. I want to express my sincere thanks to all our clients and to the entire Computershare team for the exceptional years we’ve worked together. It’s been a privilege to support you and have been part of an industry that has helped companies achieve their goals through the use of equity share plans.
I’m pleased to welcome Iain Wilson, who will be taking over from me in April 2026. I know he’s looking forward to catching up with many of you at upcoming events. You will find a brief welcome from Iain in our newsletter.
Jay Foley
Managing Director, Employee Share Plans EMEA
Products and services
A leadership update for our EMEA Employee Share Plans business
Recently, Francis Catterall, CEO Employee Share Plans, shared an important update regarding a leadership transition within our EMEA employee share plans business – one that marks both the close of an important chapter and the start of an exciting new one.
In the update, Francis shared that Jay Foley will be moving into a new role of Global Chief Commercial Officer, Employee Share Plans from April 2026, stepping down as Managing Director of our EMEA employee share plans business. Jay is also planning to retire early 2027.
In the announcement, Francis thanked Jay for his dedication and service. Over the past nine years, Jay’s leadership has supported major milestones, including the successful migration of all EMEA clients to EquatePlus. In his new, role Jay will remain actively involved and continue to support the business moving forward on a global basis.
Following a rigorous recruitment process, Iain Wilson has been appointed Managing Director for EMEA and will formally take on the role from April 2026. Iain brings deep experience, having contributed to our employee share plans business from 2003 to 2016. Iain then went on to lead the Solium Capital UK/Shareworks European business before Morgan Stanley exited the market, and the business was integrated into Computershare in 2023.
Since returning to Computershare, Iain has played a key role in strengthening our employee share plan business, including helping guide the successful migration of the former Solium Capital UK clients onto the EquatePlus platform.
“I’m excited to step into this role and ensure continuity for our clients and colleagues. With all migrations to EquatePlus now complete, we will intensify our focus on enhancing the client experience and delivering world-class service.”
Iain Wilson
Managing Director, EMEA Employee Share Plans
Over the coming months, you’ll have several opportunities to connect with Iain. He will attend the GEO Annual Conference in Austin, Texas this April and our client conference ACC 2026 later in the year, where he’ll share his strategic priorities and gather your insights. Please save the dates for ACC 2026: 10 September at Kings Place, London, and 16 September at Park Hyatt, Zurich.
Please join us in congratulating Iain on his new role and if you have any questions, contact your Relationship Manager.
Major change in UK & European markets to shorten settlement from 2 days to 1 day
What is T+1 and why is it happening?
Markets in the UK & Europe currently work with a 2-day settlement period post Trade Date (T+2). Come 11 October 2027, all European, UK and Swiss markets will move to a 1-day settlement (T+1) period, which means that when a security is bought or sold, settlement of all shares and payments must be completed by the next working day.
This is a significant change, and it is being introduced to enhance market efficiency, reduce exposure to risk, and deliver a smoother experience for all market participants.
Computershare are actively involved in a number of industry and government working groups to ensure a smooth transition for all market participants. Fortunately, Computershare has experience from the change in the US and Canada markets when they moved to T+1 in May 2024.
What does this mean for your Share Plans and how to prepare?
Whether it is a discretionary share vesting, a share purchase plan matching event or the maturity of your UK SAYE – the need for timely delivery of shares and payments is critical to the success of all Employee Share Plan events.
With a shortened timeframe for the receipt of shares, we will need to work with clients to review our joint processes on share issuance and delivery.The late delivery of shares could result in delay of vesting or maturity events, and of course Regulators will continue to levy penalties on market participants who fail to settle on time.
We’ll work with all clients to identify ways to ensure timely settlement, including how use of Computershare’s Registry services or Trustee services will reduce those risks.
Our Relationship Mangers will work with you directly and with teams across the business to discuss the market changes and how we can work together to ensure a smooth and compliant transition to T+1.
Important update to Section 16 reporting obligations and the SEC exemptive relief for selected jurisdictions
Background
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced recently that beginning 18 March 2026, companies incorporated outside the United States that qualify as Foreign Private Issuers (FPIs) will be subject to new Section 16(a) insider reporting requirements. Signed into law on 18 December 2025, under the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act, these changes extend US insider reporting rules to FPIs for the first time.
However, on 5 March, just under two weeks before implementation, the SEC issued an exemptive relief for selected jurisdictions.
Important update: SEC grants exemptive relief for selected jurisdictions
The SEC has granted exemptive relief from section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting requirements for directors and officers of FPIs incorporated or organised in certain jurisdictions. The relief applies to FPIs incorporated in the countries below, provided the FPI is subject to a qualifying regulation:
Canada- Chile
- European Economic Area (EEA)
- The Republic of Korea
- Switzerland
- The United Kingdom
The exemption is subject to specific conditions, including the availability of reports in English and the requirement for compliance with the applicable qualifying regulation.
You can see details of the SEC exemptive relief here.
What to do next?
Speak with your advisors regarding whether or not your company can obtain relief from this requirement.
If your company is not exempt from this SEC exemptive relief, please contact us directly to discuss how we can support your organisation with this requirement.
How Computershare Entity Solutions can support you
Whether or not you need to comply with the new SEC requirements, you may be interested in learning about our Section 16 reporting services. Computershare’s Section 16 Manager™ is a purpose-designed solution that streamlines compliance by offering:
- Secure API-based filing of Forms 3, 4, and 5 (and amendments) directly to EDGAR
- An intuitive filing wizard and guided workflows
- Real-time alerts, automated submission status updates, and secure credential management
- Built-in help guides, chat support, and a responsive service team
Book a Section 16 Manager demo
For additional information, contact your dedicated Relationship Manager with any questions about these upcoming changes.
Maximising the impact of employee share plans through ROI and board engagement
In today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape, employee incentives, boardroom strategy, and stakeholder engagement is more critical than ever. At our annual client conference, ACC 2025, brought together industry leaders and governance experts to tackle the complexities of modern compensation.
One clear theme emerged: organisations must move beyond traditional spreadsheets to maximise both financial and cultural returns. Here is a look at the pivotal takeaways for measuring and managing the return on investment (ROI) of employee share plans in 2026.
1. More than numbers: Understanding the approach to ROI
One of the most significant insights from ACC 2025 was that there is no single method for calculating the ROI of employee share plans. While boards frequently demand clear data on costs and tax efficiencies, a narrow focus on financials misses the bigger picture.
To truly understand the value of a plan, organisations must balance three key pillars:
- Metrics: Understanding traditional costs, dilution, and tax outcomes is needed to justify the cost of your plan and prove the ROI.
- Employee outcomes: Tracking participant behaviour, understanding if employees value the plan and benefits, and knowing if the plan aligns with participant personal financial goals ensures your plan design is right for you and your employees.
- Strategic alignment: Creating and tracking a true culture of employee ownership streamlines your plan offering long-term employee and company goals and objectives by giving participants a real stake in the game.
2. Plan design drivers: Strategically balancing sophistication and accessibility
While simplicity is often the primary driver of employee engagement, some level of complexity is natural to meet specific regulatory requirements or long-term business goals. There is no one-size-fits-all model, rather the balance often varies based on the following key factors:
- Industry and plan lifecycle
- Company goals and objectives
- Organisational context
3. Employee engagement: Delivering value through communications
Perhaps the most practical conclusion from the sessions is that employees value what they understand. Even the most substantial share plan can fail to deliver a return if it isn’t communicated effectively.
Ongoing financial education is no longer optional; it is a value driver. By providing clear, messaging and education, companies can transform a complex benefit into a powerful tool for retention and engagement.
4. Navigating the board: From simple engagement to strategic partnership
Navigating the board approval process for new employee share plans or compensation proposals can often feel like a challenge. However, the key insight for success is that it requires strategic relationship-building and alignment with investor expectations.
Building a strategic partnership with your board includes:
- Early engagement building credibility includes proactive strategic planning.
- Leveraging external advisors and existing benchmarks to anticipate concerns.
- Tailored communications including executive summaries and extensive detailed reporting.
Looking ahead
As you navigate 2026, the art of engaging boards for strategic alignment and managing diverse stakeholder expectations will continue to define successful employee share plans. By focusing on participant metrics of engagement and understanding, organisations can ensure their incentive programs deliver lasting value long after the initial grant.
Hong Kong’s employee share plans: A strategic evolution you can’t ignore
Our latest research, analysing data from 2,631 Hong Kong-listed companies, reveals that the market has moved beyond simply adopting share schemes. Today, the focus is on optimising plan design—mixing share options, awards, and tailored incentives to foster ownership, loyalty, and retention among employees.
Did you know that over 80% of companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange now include employee share plans as a core part of their remuneration strategy? This marks a dramatic shift from optional perks to strategic mandates, fuelling long-term growth and talent engagement across industries.
Key trends you’ll discover in the full report:
- Retention-focused share awards are gaining momentum: Their adoption has nearly doubled in the past five years, signalling a strategic pivot toward balanced, long-term incentives.
- Company size shapes equity distribution: Smaller firms favour growth-linked options, while larger organisations diversify with both options and awards to attract and retain a wider talent pool.
- Industry insights: Technology and healthcare sectors lead the way, with equity incentives forming a significant part of compensation and driving alignment with company success.
- Performance targets and vesting schedules: Companies are increasingly tying equity rewards to individual and group performance metrics and using vesting periods to encourage long-term commitment.
Download the full research report from Computershare to unlock actionable insights, best practices, and data-driven recommendations for optimising your employee share plans.
North America’s top companies are redefining employee equity. Are you ready to compete?
As we move more into 2026, North American companies are making bold moves to expand and redesign these programs, prioritising financial wellness, retention, and engagement like never before.
In today’s competitive job market, traditional benefits like health insurance and 401(k) plans are no longer enough to attract and retain top talent. The gamechanger? Employee share plans and equity compensation programs.
A groundbreaking survey of over 600 HR and Total Rewards leaders reveals that 82% of companies expect increased participation in their firm’s share plans and 94% of respondents said that ‘compensation competitiveness’ – ensuring that they think beyond salary when seeking to attract and retain employees – is important. These trends signal a major shift in how organisations are aligning employee interests with business success.
But it’s not just about offering equity, it’s about doing it right. The report highlights key challenges, including technology integration, employee education, and budget constraints, that companies must overcome to maximize the impact of their share plans. It also explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and financial literacy will shape the future of employee equity, helping organisations unlock new levels of efficiency and employee value.
Why you need to read this report:
- Discover how leading companies are using share plans to attract and retain top talent.
- Learn how equity programs are driving financial wellness and engagement in 2026.
- Get actionable insights on overcoming operational challenges like technology integration and employee education.
- Understand the role of AI and financial literacy in transforming employee equity programs.
Download the full report now to stay ahead of the curve and build a total rewards strategy that sets your company apart.
Events and webinars
ACC 2026: Registration opening soon — Save the date now
The countdown is on to our biggest client conference ever where you’ll connect with peers and experts across the industry gaining strategic insights into the evolution of employee share plans. Enhance your industry knowledge, build skills and greater connections, learn how plan design enhancements can boost engagement, and more at ACC 2026.
Save the date:
- London: 10 September, Kings Place London 9am – 7pm
- Zurich: 16 September, Park Hyatt Zurich 9am - 7pm
ACC brings together global leaders, emerging talent, company secretaries, HR specialists, and everyday users of Computershare technology for a full day of insight, learning, and connection.
What to expect in 2026
Building on very positive 2025 feedback, ACC 2026 will again feature two tailored content streams:
Stream 1 – Strategic Insights
Deep dive sessions exploring topics such as emerging trends, board level influence, global updates, engagement strategies, and more.
Stream 2 – Employee Share Plan Management
Hands‑on learning with Computershare experts and peers—covering EquatePlus, EquateInsights, reporting best practice, and operational excellence.
Why attend?
ACC is free to attend and designed to strengthen your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and support the development of your whole team.
Full agenda and speaker lineup will be released soon - keep an eye out for our registration emails over the coming weeks.
Want to be more involved? Join one of our panels. Speak to your relationship manager for more information or contact Andrew Ware at Andrew.ware@computershare.co.uk today to register your interest.
Watch the recent EquatePyramid webinar on-demand: Integrated accounting and financial reporting for employee share plans
Watch our exclusive, global webinar where we will provide education and insights on achieving integrated accounting and financial reporting for employee share plans.
Save time and reduce risk with EquatePyramid
Discover a solution that provides accurate, compliant IFRS and US GAAP reporting without the need for complex data transformation or maintaining internal models. Gain insights into all the benefits of EquatePyramid including:
- Streamlined accounting. Manage all accounting requirements efficiently through automation, configured to your specific requirements.
- Accurate and compliant reporting. Access reports for expenses, disclosures, DTA, dilution, social security tax accruals, intercompany recharge, and more through a single platform creating a single source of truth available to all key stakeholders.
- Flexible management. Manage all plan types and requirements with a modular and scalable setup that grows with your needs while reducing complexities around accounting assumptions such as performance estimates, expected forfeiture, retirement eligibility, and employee mobility.
- Proactive insights. Get a first look at what's new and what's coming, including process wizards, user experience improvements, and enhanced budgeting & simulation features.
Join us at the GEO Annual Conference Computershare event in Austin
Join us as we kick off GEO 2026, the Global Equity Organization’s 27th Annual Conference, at the legendary Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Austin.
Date: Monday, April 20
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
We’re planning a night of boot-stomping fun with line dancing, great company and some of the best barbecue Austin has to offer. It’s a chance to connect with peers, colleagues and friends while enjoying Texas favorites, local brews, and whiskey tastings.
Here’s what we have in store:
- Custom cowboy hats you can take home
- A photo booth to capture the memories
- Iconic Austin food and drinks
- Live line dancing with Boot Stomping ATX
So, bring your boots and get ready to kick off GEO 2026 in true Austin style.
Celebrating Success at the 2025 ProShare Awards
Back in November, our team had the pleasure of joining clients who had been shortlisted for awards at the prestigious ProShare Annual Awards Dinner. It was an incredible evening, filled with anticipation as our clients eagerly awaited the results. We were thrilled to celebrate our clients that won awards and were commended.
Award Winners
- Anglo American – Most Effective Communications of an Employee Share Plan: 50,000 + employees
- Barclays – Best Overall Performance Fostering Share Ownership: 50,000 + employees
- Carlsberg Britvic – Best Employee Share Plan Outcome Following a Major Corporate Change
- Diageo – Best International Share Plan
- Diageo – Team of the Year
- Haleon – Most Effective Communications of an Employee Share Plan: 5,001 – 50,000 employees
Commended
- Anglo American – Best Employee Share Plan Outcome Following a Major Corporate Change
- Centrica – Most Effective Use of Technology
- Wise – Best Financial Education Initiative for Employees
A special nod for one of our leaders
Jay Foley, Computershare’s Managing Director for Employee Share Plans EMEA, also won ProShare’s award for Services to Employee Share Ownership.
Jay, who has been with Computershare since 2013, is a long-standing industry leader and a former Board Member of the Global Equity Organization (GEO).
This great acknowledgement of Jay comes as he prepares to move into his new role of Chief Commercial Officer of our global Plans business in the first quarter of next year.
The ProShare Annual Awards Dinner is a highly anticipated, sell-out event each year, bringing together the best in the share plans industry. This year’s ceremony was at the InterContinental on Park Lane, a fittingly stylish venue for such a prestigious occasion. As anyone who has attended will know, the ProShare Awards dinner is the standout event in the employee share plans industry, offering a night of well-deserved recognition and celebration.
These awards honour issuers who have navigated complexity and achieved success whether through exceptional communications strategies, outstanding results, or innovative use of technology.
If you are interested in entering for a ProShare Award next year, please reach out to your relationship manager, who will be happy to guide you through the process.
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