Presentation delivered at the Global Equity Organization's 14th Annual International Conference in Munich, Germany. http://www.globalequity.org/geo/Munich-AgendaSessions This session describes key elements of the Syngenta 2012-2013 rollout of an ESPP to more than 3,400 employees in 24 countries. In particular, it focuses on practical learning from different phases of the project—from feasibility, legal filings, and technical solutions to communications and more. It covers some of the practical approaches chosen, such as the decision to only implement the plan where there are no onerous filing requirements and only translate documents where required or where there are more than 10 employees. You can also learn more about the relationship between Syngenta and its external partners, KPMG and UBS, related to the success of this program.

1. Being practical about a global ESPP
SPEAKERS
Markus Seppälä, Executive Compensation & Equity Manager, Syngenta, CH
Vickram Paliwal, Manager, KPMG, CH
Pervin Tataroglu, Client Relationship Manager, UBS AG, CH

2. Syngenta AG
Headquarters Basel, Switzerland
Employees over 27,000 in some 90 countries
Businesses
• Herbicides, insecticides and fungicides for crop
protection
• Field crops, vegetables and flower seeds
• Seed care products
• Turf, garden, home care and public health
products
2012 Sales $14.2 billion
R&D investments 2012 $1.3 billion

3. The Syngenta Global ESPP
• Buy shares at half-price (50% discount or
1-for-1 match)
• All shares blocked for 3 years
• Purchase amount deducted via payroll
• Administered through UBS EquatePlus,
including online election
• 3,435 eligible participants in 23 countries

4. April-July
2012:
Determine
countries in
scope
Late Aug.
2012:
Prepare HR
Services
Nov. 2012:
Draft tax
notes
Late Feb.
2013:
Train
HRBPs
Late Feb.
2013: Set
up recharge
agreements
with Finance
Early April
2013: Inform
employees
April 8,
2013: Invite
employees
Inclusive communication plan

5. Being practical
• Same plan globally – one set of plan rules
• No implementation if filings are onerous
• Standardized process
• Centralized documentation with localized
tax advice – translated where required

6. Challenges along the way
• Data quality and availability
• Right committee with the right information
• Challenges from countries
• Buy-in from local country organization
• Portugal salary deductions not allowed
• Tax position in Poland, Sweden

7. Leverage your providers
• Best practice
• What have other clients done?
• What are the questions we should be
asking?

8. Results of 2013 purchase (extract)
Country Participation Country Participation
Korea 74% Sweden 28%
South Africa 73% Slovakia 24%
Poland 70% Spain 23%
Singapore 66% Egypt 21%
Australia 56% Denmark 21%
Japan 43% Kenya 7%
Netherlands 34% Kazakhstan 0%
Czech Republic 33% Romania 0%

9. Key takeaways
• ESPPs are not as easy as executive plans
• Engage early with all stakeholders
• Be practical in plan and process design
• Ask your providers for views and ideas