Stock 'N Roll

Christoffer Herheim
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Stock 'N Roll is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of equity compensation and highlighting the challenges and best practices that shape the industry. We engage in meaningful conversations with industry experts and thought leaders, aiming to provide actionable insights and strategies for professionals across all levels.

  1. Jul 16

    EMI Options: The UK's Gold Standard for Startup Equity, with BDO's Veronika Lipinska

    EMI options are the UK's gold standard for startup equity: a tax-advantaged share option scheme that lets growth companies reward employees without the heavy tax charges that hit ordinary options. Christoffer Herheim, CEO and Co-founder of Optio, sits down with Veronika Lipinska, a Director in BDO's Share Plans and Incentives Practice, to unpack how the Enterprise Management Incentive scheme actually works. Veronika designs and implements equity plans for UK companies and increasingly advises individuals on the equity inside their job offers. Together they cover what it takes to qualify, how strike prices and tax valuations are set, and a reflection on the April reforms that extended options life to 15 years and raise the employee limit to 500. They also get into the alternatives, from CSOPs to growth shares, for companies that fall outside EMI. In this episode: What EMI is and why it beats a non-tax-advantaged option (18% versus roughly 47%)The qualifying criteria for the company, the trade, and the individualStrike price, market-value options, and HMRC-approved tax valuationsThe 2025 expansion: 10-year option life extended to 15, employee cap raised to 500The two-year holding period and Business Asset Disposal ReliefWhen EMI isn't available: CSOPs, growth shares, and US-style instrumentsWhether you advise founders or run a share plan yourself, this is a clear, practical guide to one of the most flexible equity schemes in Europe. Please note: This podcast content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. Always consult qualified legal, tax, and financial advisors for guidance specific to your situation. Connect with Veronika Lipinska on LinkedIn For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

    EMI Options: The UK's Gold Standard for Startup Equity, with BDO's Veronika Lipinska

  2. Jul 2

    Why Do Equity Plans Fail? with NatWest's David Edwards and Nigel Watson

    Share plans can break at any point in their lifecycle: the story, the instrument, or the economics. Knowing which is which is how you build something that holds up under pressure. Recorded live at Teuchters Bar in Edinburgh, this episode brings together two guests who have spent careers on opposite sides of the equity table. Christoffer Herheim, host and CEO of Optio, recorded this episode live at Teuchters Bar in Edinburgh with two guests who have spent careers on opposite sides of the equity table. Nigel Watson heads the incentives practice at Burges Salmon, one of the UK's leading law firms, with decades of experience designing and challenging share plans. David Edwards is Head of Corporate Secretariat and Shareholder Services at NatWest, and has lived through one of the most extraordinary share plan journeys in UK banking history: a share price near 20p when he joined post-financial crisis, and a 15-year road back to £7. Together they dig into why equity plans overpromise, where they break (the story, the instrument, or the economics), and what practitioners almost never discuss openly: what happens when it all goes wrong. In this episode: The three points where equity plans break: the story, the instrument, and the economicsWhy comprehension matters more than communication, and why most companies confuse the twoClawback: real protection or reputational cover?Concentration risk and the employer's responsibility to guide employees on diversificationHow NatWest kept employees invested through a decade-long share price recoveryThe equity integrity audit every company should be running annuallyWhether you are an in-house reward professional, an advisor, or a founder designing your first plan, this episode asks the questions most practitioners are too polite to raise. Connect with Nigel Watson on LinkedIn Connect with David Edwards on LinkedIn For more information check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Please note: This podcast content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. Always consult qualified legal, tax, and financial advisors for guidance specific to your situation. Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

  3. 10/23/2025

    Are Your Equity Incentives Competitive? The Art and Science of Benchmarking with Michael Sterchi

    This is the first out of two, in our short series on Benchmarking.   In this episode, we're talking about benchmarking in general, what it is, why you need it and what competitive equity packages actually look like in the market. We even discuss some key differences between the US and here in Europe.  The host and CEO of Optio Christoffer Herheim is joined by Michael Sterchi in Zurich who is a leading expert in equity incentive plan design, with extensive experience advising companies across Europe on everything from LTI structures to broad-based employee share plans.  Whether you're implementing your first equity plan or rethinking an existing one, this conversation is packed with practical advice. For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Read the blog: https://www.optioincentives.com/resource-hub/equity_incentives_competitive_benchmarking Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

  4. 10/07/2025

    Communicating Equity Programs: Insights from Deloitte's Jane Darlington

    When organizations design equity incentive plans, they typically focus on the technical details: vesting schedules, strike prices, and regulatory compliance.  But according to Jane Darlington, this approach misses a critical component that can determine whether your program succeeds or fails entirely. Listen to the episode to learn how to build a communication plan that creates understanding, builds trust and connects people to their stake in the company's success.  "Please note: This podcast content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. Always consult qualified legal, tax, and financial advisors for guidance specific to your situation." For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Read the blog: https://www.optioincentives.com/resource-hub/why-communication-makes-or-breaks-equity-programs Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

  5. 09/23/2025

    A Deep Dive into the UK’s Leading Tax-Advantaged Share Plans with Chris Fallon

    In our latest Stock 'N Roll podcast episode, we sat down with Chris Fallon, Legal Director at Tapestry Compliance, to demystify two of the most prominent all-employee schemes in the UK: the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) and the Save-As-You-Earn (SAYE) plan.  For those living or operating in the UK, understanding these plans is crucial for optimizing financial benefits related to employee ownership. Tune in to the episode to take a closer look at what was discussed in this enlightening session. For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Read the blog: https://www.optioincentives.com/resource-hub/sip-saye-with-chris-fallon Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

  6. 08/18/2025

    Understanding the Evolving Landscape of Equity Compensation in Recruitment with Tor Daneshmand

    In this episode of Stock 'N Roll, we sat down with Tor Daneshmand, CEO and co-founder of Amby, an embedded recruitment company at the forefront of these changes. Tor brings unique insights into how equity is being wielded as a recruitment tool across different markets, from the mature landscapes of the US and UK to the evolving Nordic region. We'll dive into the art and science of building compelling compensation packages, explore how candidate expectations vary based on risk tolerance and life stage, and uncover the challenges companies face when trying to communicate equity's true value. Whether you're a founder crafting your first equity program or a seasoned executive refining your talent strategy, this conversation offers actionable insights for navigating today's complex compensation landscape. For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Read the blog: https://www.optioincentives.com/resource-hub/understanding-the-evolving-landscape-of-equity-compensation-in-recruitment Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

  7. 07/29/2025

    Designing Global Broad-Based Equity Plans: Insights from Deloitte’s Experts

    In this episode of Stock 'N Roll, we sat down in Deloitte’s London office with Lucy Hovland and Anita Grant—two seasoned leaders from Deloitte’s Equity and Incentives practice—to unpack the intricacies of designing global broad-based equity plans. As equity compensation continues to evolve, especially in the post-IPO tech and fintech landscape, companies are thinking bigger—and broader—about how to include more employees across jurisdictions in share plans. But what does it actually take to get this right?  "Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult with qualified advisors regarding your specific circumstances."  For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Read the blog: https://www.optioincentives.com/resource-hub/designing-global-broad-based-equity-plans-insights-from-deloittes-experts Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

  8. 07/16/2025

    Bridging US and European Equity Compensation: Insights from Carine Schneider

    In this episode we're thrilled to have Carine Schneider joining us. Carine as one of the most experienced professionals in the equity compensation domain world wide – and her US view of things is something that we are ready to dive into.  Carine will share insights on the cross-border challenges companies face when expanding internationally, the emerging trends in private market liquidity – also with a US vs Europe view. Whether you're a European company looking to crack the US market, an American firm navigating European regulations, or just trying to understand where equity compensation is headed next, this episode is packed with expert insights and practical takeaways. So let's dive into market evolution, regulatory complexities, innovative solutions, and so much more! For more information Check our website: https://www.optioincentives.com/stock-n-roll Follow Optio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optio-incentives Read the blog: https://www.optioincentives.com/resource-hub/bridging-us-and-european-equity-compensation Message us here Join Stock 'N Roll with Christoffer Herheim, CEO and co-founder of Optio, as we break down what works—and what doesn’t—in equity compensation, with insights you can act on.

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Stock 'N Roll is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of equity compensation and highlighting the challenges and best practices that shape the industry. We engage in meaningful conversations with industry experts and thought leaders, aiming to provide actionable insights and strategies for professionals across all levels.

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  • Creator
    Christoffer Herheim
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stock 'N Roll
  • Show Website
    Stock 'N Roll