The recent summer solstice reminds us that the year is half way through and for those involved in managing people, this is likely to be the time for a half year or even full year review. However, even if it isn’t, now is still the time to have these conversations. Given all of the recent…

June 29, 2020 Read more >

All of us have had to make major adjustments to our lives over the past three months. Boards of directors and their remuneration committees are no exception. Many companies have been required to make transformational changes to their operations and their remuneration policies, and may yet have to make more. Here are five key agenda…

June 29, 2020 Read more >

But is now a good time to adopt a new employee share plan? A recent report, published by The Social Market Foundation (“the SMF”), in February 2020 was entitled “Strengthening employee share ownership in the UK”.  This report was both supported and funded by the Investment Association. The SMF is an independent British political public…

May 28, 2020 Read more >

Oil and gas on a knife-edge – remuneration might have to break the mould to retain talent throughout this current crisis The market price of oil balances the scales between success and failure for companies operating in the sector. Boards keep a close watch on the break-even price. The average break-even price in the US…

May 28, 2020 Read more >

Revisit NED remuneration policy to conserve cash and increase alignment Traditionally, UK NEDs have been paid an annual cash fee, supplemented, in some cases, by additional cash for chairing or being a member of a Board committee. Participation by NEDs in annual bonus plans and performance-related share options or LTIs is opposed by investors and…

May 28, 2020 Read more >

Deferred Share Plans get over the first major hurdle (just about…) Without doubt, it is always difficult being an early adopter and trying something new. Those in new areas of the economy talk about being at the “bleeding edge” rather than the leading edge when it comes to changing things.  As we explored in a…

May 28, 2020 Read more >

Coming out of a downturn strong (and how long-term incentives will be key to doing that) One of the things that we have seen time and time again, as advisors to a wide range of companies across many sectors, is that future success after a downturn is not measured by how you weathered the initial…

May 28, 2020 Read more >

Share and share option plan reporting for 2019/20 Overview If your company operates a share or share option plan for employees or directors (including non-executive directors) you will need to report any awards by filing electronically with HMRC (as well as reporting the adoption of the plan if it is the first year in which…

April 30, 2020 Read more >

Why UK listed companies are now considering replacing their LTIPs with Restricted Stock Plans Back in November last year, the Investment Association (the “IA”) came out with these dramatic words: “Alternative remuneration structures – We encourage all Remuneration Committees to evaluate their remuneration structures to ensure that they are appropriately aligned with the implementation of the…

April 30, 2020 Read more >

Now cash is the only KPI, there is an opportunity to rethink executive incentives There is now a singular concentration on conserving corporate cash. The Bank of England has issued a statement, falling barely short of an instruction, that banks should withhold dividend payments. Some, but not all, have complied. This is a crucial week…

April 30, 2020 Read more >

PE and VC fund management teams are working tirelessly to guide and support their portfolio companies. From our conversations with our Private Equity friends and clients, for the most part their biggest concern at this time is for their investee companies. Of course, they are not able to visit them and this has created issues.…

April 29, 2020 Read more >

Free Remuneration and Reward support sessions To all our clients and contacts: we know things are tough for businesses right now. Many of you will have done all you can to set your business up to deal with the lockdown and will now be thinking about what needs to be done to help ensure your…

April 21, 2020 Read more >