In Focus - Autumn 2024

Insights and Regulatory Updates

Preparing for a Successful Q1 Season

As the first quarter (Q1) of the new calendar year approaches, the various tasks and deadlines involved can feel overwhelming. At Computershare, we understand the complexities of employee share plan management and are here to support you through every stage of the process. To help you prepare for a smooth and successful Q1, we’ve outlined some key pointers to keep in mind.

Awarding: Key Considerations

• Establish and prepare your Participant Population: Ensure you are preparing the participant data for participants eligible for awards. Confirm their details to avoid issues later.
• Awards Breakdown: Identify which groups are receiving what types of awards, and be mindful of any changes in local legislation, especially for global plans.
• New Award Requirements: If there are new plans or changes to your current award structure, consider implementation timelines and delivery methods.
• Award Acceptance Window: Deciding when to launch the acceptance window will set the event timeline, so be sure to agree on this early in your planning.

Vesting: Ensuring a Smooth Process

• Participant Experience: Plan clear, aligned communications for EquatePlus and EquateMobile to guide participants through the vesting process.
• Global Payroll Communication: Co-ordinating with your global payroll teams in advance helps ensure seamless processing of post-vesting activities.
• Tax Provider Engagement: If the vesting population spans multiple regions, be sure to engage your tax provider early to address any tax considerations.
• Source of Vesting Shares: Decide whether you’ll issue new shares, purchase shares, or use an existing trust arrangement to fulfil the vesting.

Post-Year-End Actions: Be Ready

• End-of-Year Reporting: Identify what’s required and when it’s due. Our team is available to assist with financial reporting, so be sure to check in with us if needed.
• Global & Local Regulatory Deadlines: Stay on top of any changes to regulatory requirements compared to last year, both globally and locally.
• Update Participant Accounts: Make sure participant data is current and accurate, ensuring reporting is based on the most up-to-date information.

EquatePlus Refresher & Reporting Sessions

To further assist with Q1 preparations, we’re offering EquatePlus Refresher and Reporting sessions throughout November, December, and January. These sessions are designed to help you, and your teams navigate reporting tools and better understand the platform—especially helpful for global payroll management.

For more information on these sessions or any other support you need, please reach out to the Computershare Team more information.

If you would like to know more  about how our team can support you to ensure you are ready for Year End and Event Season please get in touch  with your Account Manager.

By planning ahead and leveraging the resources available, you can set yourself up for a successful Q1 season.

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Changes to Payment Services for Employees with Russian Bank Accounts

Over several years, increasing global sanctions have targeted banking transactions involving Russia. As a result, several Russian-owned or Russia-based banks have been restricted, and payments to those banks are now prohibited. In response to the broader sanctions environment, several global financial institutions have completely withdrawn services for payments into Russia.

Citi is the latest major bank to confirm that it will no longer support payment services into Russia. As of 24 September 2024, Citi officially removed its payment service for transactions to Russian bank accounts, impacting our ability to remit payments to Russia-based Citi accounts.

Impact on Employees in Russia

We are aware that some of our clients employ staff based in Russia. For employees who have already provided a non-Russian bank account, no further action is needed. However, employees who currently use a Russian bank account will need to provide an alternative account outside of Russia to enable payment to be made. This applies to corporate bank accounts as well.

Steps We Have Taken

To ensure a smooth transition and to support affected employees, we have already taken the following steps: 

• We notified all impacted employees, advising them of the need to update their bank account details with a non-Russian bank.
• We provided our clients with a list of employees (or former employees) in Russia who still have a Russian bank account.
• We also identified any corporate bank accounts held with Russian banks.
• For employees unable to provide an alternative account, we explored the option of directing payments to a company-sponsored, non-Russian bank account (such as a payroll account) where possible.

Important Deadlines and Next Steps

We set 20 September 2024 as the final date for participants to execute market transactions and request payments into Russia-based bank accounts. After this date, Russian bank accounts were removed from EquatePlus allowing sufficient time for processing before Citi’s service cut-off date.

From 21 September 2024 onwards, any payments should be directed to a non-Russian bank account. Payments that are rejected after the removal of the payment service to Russia, or those that have been previously rejected, will need to be remitted to an alternative bank. Rejected payments held by Computershare on behalf of participants will continue to be securely held in compliance with local regulatory requirements until they can be successfully transferred.

We are committed to assisting all impacted participants throughout this process. If you have any questions or require further support, please reach out to the Computershare Team.

While Computershare/Equatex does not offer legal, regulatory, tax or financial advice, it is important that our clients are aware of these changes. We recommend consulting with an independent advisor to fully understand the impact of the new rules on your business and your employees.

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Explore the highlights from our 2024 Employee Share Plan Engagement Survey

We’re excited to share the results of our latest Employee Share Plan Engagement Survey report, featuring insights from over 120 clients across the EMEA and North America regions. We want to thank everyone who contributed their valuable perspectives.

This report sheds light on the key findings, including:

• The types of employee share plans currently being offered
• The motivations behind implementing these plans, and
• Strategies organisations are using to boost employee enrolment

We believe the insights in this report will be a valuable resource for organisations looking to enhance their employee engagement and optimise their share plan initiatives.

To view the full the highlights and discover how your organisation can benefit from these insights, click here.

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Pillar Two – Potential implications for Jersey Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs)

The OECD Pillar Two framework aims to ensure multinational groups, with global revenues above €750 million, pay a minimum effective tax rate on income within each jurisdiction in which they operate by imposing a ‘top-up tax’ on profits arising in jurisdictions where the effective tax rate is below 15%.

Pillar Two may have an implication for clients with a Jersey EBT if:

1. The corporate issuer/settlor is subject to Pillar Two; and
2. The corporate client consolidates the trust for accounting purposes; and
3. The trust receives income or deemed income which is shown as a credit in the accounts but not subject to at least 15% tax (e.g. interest income or a funding loan write off); and
4. The credit to the accounts is of a nature considered to be caught under Pillar Two legislation.

If all the above conditions are met, top-up tax may be due in respect of the loan written off (or other relevant untaxed income).  Please note that this would not apply where funds were gifted to a trust.

Jersey is due to introduce its own domestic minimum tax legislation and depending on the exact terms it is possible that in the future Computershare Trustees, on behalf of the trust, may be required to register and pay tax in Jersey.

The proposed new Jersey legislation to comply with the OECD requirements was debated in the States of Jersey this month and you can be assured that Computershare is actively engaged on this topic, and representatives from our Trust business and Global Operational Tax teams are meeting with the Jersey Revenue to discuss the details and potential indirect impact on trust services for our clients and their EBTs.

The earliest any action would be required in respect of the Jersey legislation is 31 December 2025, but clients should be considering the implications of the Pillar Two framework regarding any reporting at the corporate client level which might be required in respect of their Jersey EBT with their own advisers.

We will bring you further information on this emerging topic as it becomes available.

While Computershare/Equatex does not offer legal, regulatory, tax or financial advice, it is important that our clients are aware of these changes. We recommend consulting with an independent advisor to fully understand the impact of the new rules on your business and your employees.

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Products and Services

Improve the Data Exchange Between Your HR Platform and EquatePlus

As an HR professional, ensuring accuracy when managing sensitive employee data is crucial; there’s no room for errors. However, when dealing with multiple uploads and large volumes of information, manual intervention can increase the risk of mistakes, leading to time-consuming corrections.

To address this challenge, EquateAPI, available with EquatePlus, automates the data exchange between your HR platform and EquatePlus, streamlining processes and saving you valuable time.

What is an API?

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of protocols that allow different software systems to communicate. APIs have become the market standard for data exchange, enabling systems, such as your HR platform and EquatePlus, to interact seamlessly.

Introducing EquateAPI

EquateAPI is a powerful integration tool provided by EquatePlus. It supports real-time data transfer of participant information, offering a significant improvement over traditional file-based data exchange methods like SFTP. No matter which HR platform your company uses, EquateAPI ensures efficient and secure communication with EquatePlus.

How EquateAPI Enhances Your Data Management

EquateAPI offers several advantages that make your HR data management more efficient and less prone to error: 

• Automation: Reduces the need for manual data uploads, saving time and effort.
• Real-Time Data Exchange: Provides instant updates and status notifications, reducing employee queries.
• Improved Security and Accuracy: Keeps participant data secure and minimises the risk of operational errors.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Aligns with the capabilities of modern HR systems for seamless integration.

Data Exchange Methods in EquatePlus

EquatePlus offers multiple options for handling data uploads:

• Direct Data Entry: Administrators manually update data through the EquatePlus Admin portal.
• CDI File Upload: Administrators create files using EquatePlus templates and upload them manually.
• SFTP File Exchange: Automates file uploads, allowing data from your HR system to be converted and processed into EquatePlus automatically.
• EquateAPI: Allows for bi-directional, automated data exchange directly between your HR software and EquatePlus. EquateAPI is not a file-based solution but a direct data point solution.

Why Choose EquateAPI?

• Efficiency: Automates processes, reducing manual workload.
• Real-Time Updates: Offers instant data exchange and notifications.
• Error Reduction: Maintains data accuracy, reducing risks and mistakes.
• Universal Compatibility: Works with any HR software platform.
• Security: Ensures secure data handling and compliance with international standards.

EquateAPI is the modern solution for HR professionals looking to streamline data management. If you’d like to learn more about how EquateAPI can improve your organisation’s HR processes, please contact the Computershare Team for more information.

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AIB – New savings carrier for Irish approved SAYE plans

We are pleased to announce that Computershare have now entered into an agreement with Allied Irish Bank (AIB) to act as a savings carrier for Irish approved Save As You Earn (SAYE) plans.

The contract with AIB means clients who wish to offer an Irish revenue-approved SAYE plan are now eligible to use AIB as a savings carrier in conjunction with their plan.

The agreement with AIB to act as savings carrier further cements our position as the natural choice for employers who need end‑to‑end solutions for employee share plan administration and employee services support and will help us provide the best possible support to participants in Ireland.

 

If you would like to find out more about Irish SAYE and would like one our team to get in touch, please complete the form below.

Click here to find out more about Irish SAYE

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Enhancing the Participant Experience: Updates to the EquatePlus Participant Plan Holdings Statement

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the EquatePlus platform, we are excited to announce a series of updates to the Participant Plan Holdings Statement (previously known as the “Current Statement”). These enhancements are designed to streamline the user experience and provide your participants with clearer, more comprehensive insights into their share plans.

Over the coming months, participants will notice a number of improvements to the way their plan information is displayed. Following the initial release of the updated Participant Plan Holdings Statement, we’ve incorporated valuable feedback and introduced several new features aimed at making the statement more user-friendly and informative.

What’s New?

One of the most notable updates is the addition of the employer’s name at the top of the statement. This feature ensures that participants can easily identify their plan provider, with the name remaining visible throughout the entire statement for quick reference. This small but impactful change helps maintain clarity and a strong connection between the participant and their employer.

We’ve also expanded the types of plans visible in the statement. Plans that were previously unavailable in the initial release are now fully integrated, giving participants a more comprehensive overview of their holdings across various plan types. This improvement ensures that all relevant information is easily accessible in one place, reducing the need for participants to seek out details across multiple documents.

In addition to these enhancements, we’ve added customisable client-specific wording to the statement. This feature allows for tailored messaging that reflects the unique needs and preferences of individual clients, further personalising the participant experience. These customisations will continue to be introduced as we roll out the updated statement globally, ensuring consistency and relevance across all regions.

Click here to see the new Plan Holdings Statement.

Looking Ahead

The Participant Plan Holdings Statement is an important tool for participants to manage their share plans, and these updates represent our dedication to making that experience as seamless as possible. As we continue to enhance EquatePlus, we remain committed to listening to our clients and participants to deliver meaningful improvements that support both usability and transparency.

We encourage you to stay tuned for further updates as we complete the global rollout of these enhancements. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Computershare Team.

This is just one of many steps we are taking to enhance the EquatePlus experience, and we look forward to bringing even more innovations to you and your participants soon.

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EquateInsights Rolling-Out: Revolutionising Share Plan Reporting

We are rolling out EquateInsights, a powerful new tool designed to transform your employee share plan data into actionable insight, ensuring you stay ahead in managing every stage of your share plan lifecycle.

What is EquateInsights?

EquateInsights is a state-of-the-art reporting platform, offering 24/7 access to an extensive library of reports and user-friendly visual dashboards. Designed with your needs in mind, this tool streamlines reporting and gives you full visibility over your employee share plan. With EquateInsights, you’ll have the ability to unlock critical insights, backed by a supportive service model that is there for you every step of the way.

This next-generation solution represents our commitment to providing industry-leading technology that delivers value to both clients and participants, making the share plan management process more efficient and insightful.

Key Milestones in Development

The development of EquateInsights has been a significant undertaking, and we’ve achieved key milestones along the way:

• Award Plan Reporting: The first phase of development focused on building an intuitive platform to manage award plans. Following this milestone, we successfully launched EquateInsights to an initial group of clients, allowing them to harness its capabilities for their award plans.
• ESPP Reporting: By mid-year, we completed the development of purchase reporting for Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP), launching this feature to additional clients in July. Today, over 70 clients are on board and benefiting from the data-rich environment provided by EquateInsights.
• SIP Reporting and Beyond: Currently, we are wrapping up reporting development for Share Incentive Plans (SIP), with plans to roll it out to more clients by early 2025. At this point, as many as 130 clients will be using EquateInsights to manage their reporting needs.
• Bespoke Report Service: A major upcoming feature is the introduction of a bespoke report service by the end of this year. This will allow clients to request customised reports tailored specifically to their requirements, created by our global Reporting Team. Once developed, these reports will be available 24/7, ensuring maximum flexibility and cost-efficiency.

Phased Rollout and Ongoing Support

Our approach to the EquateInsights rollout is strategic and phased, allowing us to cater to clients based on region and reporting needs. Beginning with the EMEA region, we are carefully selecting clients who can fully benefit from EquateInsights for all their reporting needs.

To ease the transition, clients will have access to both the legacy EquatePlus reporting and EquateInsights during an initial phase. Once they are fully transitioned, access to the old reporting system will be deactivated, enabling clients to use EquateInsights as their primary tool.

We’ve worked closely with our Marketing team to develop a comprehensive communication package to ensure clients are well-supported during this transition. This includes an FAQ section, interactive guides, client webinars, and training sessions, all designed to provide ongoing support and to maximise the benefits of EquateInsights.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to roll out EquateInsights to more clients, we remain committed to gathering feedback and implementing improvements. This ongoing process ensures that EquateInsights will evolve to meet your changing needs, delivering even greater value and innovation in the future.

We are excited to see how EquateInsights will help transform your employee share plan management and are looking forward to the benefits it will bring to your business.

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AstraZeneca PLC Trust successfully onboarded by our Jersey Team

We are pleased to announce that our trustee team in Jersey has successfully transferred the trusteeship of the AstraZeneca PLC (AZ) Employee Benefit Trust as of June 2024. AZ, a FTSE No.1 company and a long-standing client of our Employee Share Plans business, sought a trustee partner that could streamline processes, reduce duplication, and enable their Global Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Team to focus on strategic initiatives like the development of a new global stock purchase plan.

By consolidating trustee and employee share plan services under one roof, our collaboration has brought significant efficiencies to the AZ Global LTI Team, particularly during key vesting events. Efficiencies introduced by Computershare in relation to employee KYC requirements, death in service, and sanction screening mean that AZ no longer needs to juggle multiple vendors, saving valuable time and resources. This integrated approach has also reduced the time spent preparing for and managing vesting events, ensuring a seamless and timely delivery of stock with minimal involvement from AZ.

Additionally, our Jersey Trust and Employee Share Plans teams were well-prepared to support AZ through the transition to a T+1 settlement cycle in the US and Canadian markets in May 2024, ensuring timely ADR deliveries.

As part of our proactive onboarding process, we worked closely with AZ to review and amend their trust documentation and implement a new linking agreement, ensuring compliance with best practices.

During ACC 2024 the Computershare Annual Client Conference in London on 11 September, Liz Crutchley, Global LTI Lead, AstraZeneca highlighted how their partnership with us will enable the Global LTI Team to focus on the exciting launch of a new all-employee global stock purchase plan in 2026. Having a pro-active and compliant trustee in place has allowed them to benefit from several efficiencies in their internal process so far, freeing up much needed time to focus on value-add activities.

It has been a great experience partnering with Liz and the wider AZ team.  If you’re interested in learning how our trustee services can benefit your business, please reach out to us.

“I was very impressed with the professional service received from Computershare Trustees following the recent transfer of our EBT from a previous Trustee. The migration was project managed proactively and seamlessly. Throughout the process Computershare provided great support, instilled confidence, and took the time to understand our requirements. We are already benefiting from several efficiencies and a far superior service with the certainty that our Trust is in good hands and being operated compliantly.”

Elizabeth Crutchley, Global LTI Lead AstraZeneca PLC

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EquatePlus refresher webinars now available!

You and you teams are invited to attend an EquatePlus refresher and EquatePlus Reporting training sessions. Below are the details outlining the agenda for each session.

EquatePlus Refresher Training

EquatePlus Reporting Training

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Product Innovation for Simplified Employee Share Plan Management

 

At ACC 2024, Computershare Annual Client Conference, Adrian Wyss, Global Head of Product, outlined our ongoing commitment to enhancing our products and services. In this session, Adrian introduced our upcoming product innovation roadmap, designed to support both you and your employees in navigating the complexities of managing employee share plans.

Adrian highlighted how our Product Team ensures that our solutions evolve with changing markets, regulations, and client needs. By continuously innovating, we aim to simplify employee share plan management and improve the participant experience, staying ahead of industry trends.

Additionally, Adrian shares how enhancing the corporate user experience with more automation of processes and expanding the range of plan types we support on a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple providers.

Stay tuned for more updates on our strategic initiatives that will further simplify and streamline your day-to-day activities in managing employee share plans.

Watch other sessions from ACC2024!

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Boost Employee Engagement with EquateMobile: A Smart Solution for Employee Share Plan Participants

At the recent ACC 2024, Annual Client Conference, one key issue emerged when discussing the challenges of managing employee share plans: engagement and communication remain top priorities for many organisations. To help tackle this, Computershare is committed to providing tools that make it easier for employees to engage with their employee share plans. One of the most powerful tools available is EquateMobile designed to simplify equity plan management for employees.

Introducing EquateMobile: Simplifying Equity Plans for Employees

The EquateMobile app has proven to significantly increase engagement, with data showing that users are 3.5 times more active than those using web platforms. With its user-friendly design and robust features, EquateMobile allows employees to manage their employee share plans on the go, providing them with instant access to important information and the ability to take action anytime, anywhere.

Key Features of EquateMobile:

• Real-time access to their equity plan portfolio
• Simplified task management with notifications of important deadlines and pending actions
• Quick insights into share plan value and performance
• Efficient transactions, from offer enrolment to real-time trading
• Seamless access to key documents, statements, and agreements
• Easy login with Face ID or fingerprint recognition

Available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store, EquateMobile is designed to make share plans more accessible and manageable for participants across all levels of tech proficiency.

How to Promote EquateMobile and Drive Engagement

To maximise engagement, it’s important to include EquateMobile in your employee share plan communications, from enrolment to vesting. Here are a few strategies:

Know Your Audience

Tailor your promotion based on how your employees typically access information. Do they prefer mobile platforms? Do they have easy access to emails? Understanding these preferences will help you determine the best way to introduce EquateMobile.

Leverage Internal Communication Tools

Use your organisation’s internal platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or the company intranet to spread the word. Include information about EquateMobile in newsletters, on bulletin boards, and during company meetings.

Engage Non-Digital Employees

For employees without email or regular internet access, promoting employee share plans and EquateMobile may seem daunting, but it’s crucial to your engagement strategy to ensure everyone has equal access to their share plan information. Here are a few strategies that can help: 

• Use Physical Posters and Flyers: Placing posters or flyers in common areas such as break rooms, notice boards, or employee lounges is a great way to inform non-digital employees about EquateMobile. Highlighting the app’s key features and benefits can spark interest. 
• Leverage Text Message Campaigns: With more than 90% of text messages being read within three minutes of delivery, SMS campaigns can be a powerful tool to reach employees. Send direct links to download the app, along with reminders of the benefits. 
• QR Codes for Easy Access: Include QR codes on posters, in physical mailers, or text messages that allow employees to directly download the app. This removes friction in the process and makes the app more accessible. 
• Face-to-Face Information Sessions: Hold informational meetings or workshops where employees can ask questions and receive help downloading and navigating the EquateMobile app. These sessions could be especially helpful for workers who may be less tech-savvy or resistant to adopting new tools. 

Support from the Computershare Team

Promoting EquateMobile effectively requires a tailored strategy. Our Communication and Creative Services (CCS) team is here to help you create multi-channel campaigns, design print materials, and even manage SMS outreach. We’ve successfully supported numerous clients in introducing EquateMobile to their workforce and can help you do the same.

Contact Us Today

If you’d like more information on how EquateMobile can boost engagement with your employee share plans, or if you need assistance in creating a communication strategy, get in touch with our CCS team. Together, we can ensure that every employee whether desk-based or on the move has the tools they need to stay engaged and informed.

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Events and Webinars

ACC2024: A Recap of Our Biggest Annual Client Conference Yet

We were thrilled to welcome over 300 industry experts to ACC 2024, our Annual Client Conference, held in London, Zurich, and online. This year’s event brought together clients and the Computershare team for a day packed with insights, collaboration, networking and the latest developments in the employee share plans industry.

ACC 2024 was one of our largest conferences to date, offering a valuable reminder of how we work together with our clients to navigate the complexities of employee share plans. The event provided a platform for sharing industry insights, strategic approaches, and real-life experiences from your peers across the UK and mainland Europe.

What We Covered

The conference was designed to help you get the most out of your employee share plans. Attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from their peers, explore current trends, and discover solutions to common challenges. They also got a preview of the latest product developments in our market-leading EquatePlus technology.

Client Panels and Expert Discussions

One of the highlights of ACC 2024 was the client panels, where participants shared their experiences managing complex share plans and how Computershare has helped them overcome unique challenges. These sessions provided practical insights into real-world scenarios and showcased the value of collaboration between clients and Computershare.

Agenda Highlights

• Our Product Innovation Roadmap: A look at upcoming developments in EquatePlus.
• Implementing Global Employee Share Plans: A client panel focusing on strategies for navigating complexity.
• Using Technology to Enhance Share Plan Management: Insights on leveraging tools to simplify administration.
• Financial Reporting: How to streamline and improve reporting for share plans.
• 2024 EquatePlus Participant Survey Results: Key takeaways from the latest participant feedback.
• The Future of Equity: An expert panel discussing emerging trends in equity compensation.

Watch On Demand

If you missed any sessions or want to revisit your favourites, you’re in luck! The ACC2024 On-Demand Sessions from both London and Zurich are now available. Whether you joined us in person or couldn’t make it, you can experience the conference at your convenience.

Watch Now: Simply fill out your details on our registration page to access the on-demand content.

We look forward to welcoming you to next year’s Annual Client Conference.

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Computershare Headlines ProShare Conference 2024: Exploring the Future of Share Plans

 

We were thrilled to be the headline sponsors of this year’s ProShare Conference, where we had the pleasure of welcoming many of you to our stand. The theme of the event, ‘Plans for Growth’, resonated strongly with the current political climate, as the newly elected Labour government has made economic growth a priority, aiming to “kickstart economic growth by reforming Britain’s economy and bring about a decade of renewal.”

The conference was filled with engaging sessions, and a standout moment was the panel featuring Inna Banks from HSBC, Anna Jex from RELX, and Garry Harding, UK Director Relationship Manager at Computershare. Their discussion addressed one of the most important themes in operating share plans today: To what extent should share plans be customised to offer participant choice?

The debate sparked discussions around whether companies should keep plans simple or allow for more employee choice. Attendees heard from companies that have taken different approaches, sharing the reasoning behind their decisions and the impact on employee engagement. Computershare also contributed valuable insights, offering data from our broad client base to add context to the conversation.

We’d like to extend our thanks to ProShare for organising such an excellent event, bringing together thought leaders and industry experts to discuss the future of employee share plans. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas, hear from clients, and explore the evolving landscape of share plan management.

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Preparing for the 2024 GEO Awards: Let Us Help You Showcase Excellence in Your Share Plans

As many of you will recall, this time of year marks the beginning of our team’s focus on supporting your submissions for the prestigious GEO Awards. The winners will be announced at the 26th Annual GEO Conference in Prague on 29 April. These awards celebrate excellence in innovative and effective share ownership structures across industries and regions, promoting employee engagement and driving business success.

There are several award categories you can enter, each recognising distinct aspects of employee share plan management:

• Best Plan Communication
• Best in Financial Education and Wellbeing
• Best in Executive Compensation
• Best Plan Effectiveness
• Best Use of Employee Share Plans in an Emerging Market
• Best Use of Employee Share Plans in a Corporate Action
• Best Use of Technology
• Most Creative Solution
• Most Innovative Plan Design

These awards offer a fantastic opportunity to highlight your achievements in employee share plans, whether it’s through innovative design, creative solutions, or using technology to enhance participant experience.

If you would like more information about the award categories or how our team can assist you in crafting a winning submission, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Computershare Team. We’re here to help you showcase the great work you’ve done in creating impactful and engaging employee share plans.

To learn more about the GEO Awards, click here.

Let’s make 2025 your year to shine at the GEO Awards!

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Join Us at GEO PERE 2024: Visit Our Stand and Connect with Our Experts

We’re excited to welcome you to our stand at GEO PERE on 13 November. Our team, including Relationship Managers, Product Experts, and our Jersey Trust team, will be on hand throughout the event. Feel free to stop by for a chat with any of our experts about your employee share plans or any specific questions you might have.

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so by clicking here. This year’s event will be held at a brand-new, centrally located venue and promises to bring together over 200 attendees from Europe, the US, and across the globe. GEO PERE 2024 offers a unique chance to connect with key equity compensation decision-makers and gain insights through three essential content streams focused on global share plans.

We’re particularly excited about this year’s keynote speaker, Cath Bishop. As a former Olympic rower and conflict diplomat, Cath brings a wealth of experience in performance, culture, and leadership. She competed in three Olympic Games, winning a World Championship in 2003 and an Olympic silver medal in 2004. Following her athletic career, Cath worked as a diplomat specialising in conflict resolution in Bosnia and Iraq, where she led UK efforts in stabilising global conflicts, honing her skills in leadership, negotiation, and resilience.

Cath’s book, The Long Win: The Search for a Better Way to Succeed, challenges our conventional approach to success, emphasising clarity of purpose, continuous learning, and fostering authentic connections. Her insights on leadership and collaboration will offer valuable takeaways for anyone looking to enhance their personal or organisational performance.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at GEO PERE 2024 and helping you make the most of this fantastic event.

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Join Us for the 2024 Nordics Roundtable in Stockholm

We are pleased to invite you to our one-day Nordics Roundtable event in Stockholm on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. This exclusive event is designed to provide valuable insights into employee share plans across the Nordic region, offering you the opportunity to network with peers, industry experts, and advisors. Throughout the day, we’ll host a series of panel discussions which include speakers from Ericsson, Schibsted, Sobi and Electrolux, interactive sessions, and expert-led presentations focused on best practices and the latest developments in the share plans space.

What’s in Store?

The day will kick off with a business update from our Managing Director, Jay Foley, who will share the latest on the Employee Share Plans business, including our future goals and strategic direction. This will be followed by an engaging session led by Stephanie Birner, Head of Product Impact, who will share our Product Roadmap.

We’ll also hear from Jonas Saltnes, Global Head of Financial Reporting, on how to streamline financial reporting to improve transparency and efficiency. Additionally, a panel of your industry peers will discuss evolving objectives in the Nordic region, sharing their insights on designing successful share plans and navigating regional complexities. The day will wrap up with a discussion on preparing for year-end reporting and Q1 activity, offering actionable tips for achieving optimal outcomes.

Event Details:
   •   Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
   •   Time: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm (followed by Networking Drinks)
   •   Location: Strandvägen 7A, 114 56 Stockholm, Sweden

Why Attend?

This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in employee share plans, whether you’re looking to refine your reporting processes, understand new product developments, or connect with fellow professionals in the region.

We look forward to welcoming you and your team to this year’s roundtable in Stockholm. Let’s shape the future of employee share plans together!

BOOK NOW

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Computershare Channel Islands Triumphs Again at the CGI Jersey Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that our Computershare Channel Islands Team has won the CGI Jersey Risk & Compliance Award for the second consecutive year! The prestigious CGI Annual Dinner & Awards Evening took place at the Royal Yacht on Friday, October 11th, 2024. The Jersey branch of the Corporate Governance Institute (CGI), formerly known as the Institute of Chartered Company Secretaries (ICSA), hosted its Annual Dinner, Graduation & Awards evening at the Royal Yacht. The event was attended by 220 guests in the Celestial Dining Hall and was hosted by ITV’s Jess Dunsdon.

This year, our Jersey team made two submissions, both centred on global sanctions regime compliance. These submissions showcased our expertise on two specific projects across our Global Plans Trustee and Issuer Services business lines. The judges reviewed the entries together and declared Computershare the outright winner in the category, with no runner-up. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful for the recognition of our hard work and dedication to excellence in risk and compliance. A few extracts from our submissions for context:

“Being part of a large global business not only brings with it financial security for our clients and their employees but also our global reach and experience with the requirements of the industry. As new developments arrive, we can take advantage of our network of local offices to provide specialist support as needed, making us a safe and responsible business partner able to respond with agility to the everchanging global legal and regulatory environments we operate within.”

“Acting collaboratively with their colleagues in Jersey and across the wider Computershare group, the team had to take swift and decisive action to investigate a new risk, assess that risk and its impact on our business and clients, and having determined on a course of action which would set a precedent and effectively a new standard for compliance in our specialist industry, swing into gear in a co-ordinated and effective manner to execute and deliver the project, mitigate the risk to the extent possible and take due pride in being able to continue to provide the compliance risk assurance that our clients can expect from Computershare.”  

“The projects demonstrated the importance of the role that Computershare plays in co-ordinating a successful outcome to manage different stakeholder relationships (both internal and external) and underlying risk appetite, whilst balancing the complexities of sanction legislation, guided by the knowledge and experience of Computershare’s legal team evidencing the importance of team collaboration and communication.”

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