Sonia Speedy
- Case Studies
Easyjet's share schemes take off
Luton-based budget airline Easyjet has achieved wide share ownership among its 7,000 staff.
- Analysis
Encouraging wider share ownership among staff
The stock market may have the jitters, but there are plenty of reasons why employers should encourage employee share ownership, says Sonia Speedy
- Article
Buyer's guide to share schemes
Over the past year, it is not what has changed about all-employee share schemes, such as sharesave (save-as-you-earn) schemes and share incentive plans (Sips), that is vexing those operating in this marketplace, but rather what has not.
- Analysis
Operating a shared HR and benefits function
Operating a shared HR and benefits function can have real business gains, says Sonia Speedy
- Case Studies
Case study: Lloyds TSB makes use of shared services model
Lloyds TSB, which employs 63,000 staff across its three main business divisions: UK retail banking, wholesale banking and the branch network, has made use of a shared services model to varying degrees around its benefits provision for more than five years.
- Article
Master trusts could be making a comeback
Master trust arrangements for occupational pension schemes are thought to be on the verge of a comeback. But not everyone is convinced this will happen just yet.
- Analysis
Modelling tools help staff to understand perks
Modelling tools can help staff understand their benefits and encourage them to act on money matters, but they will require additional support, says Sonia Speedy
- Analysis
Tailor employee share scheme communications
Effective communication is the lifeblood of a successful all-employee share scheme. Even the most generous of plans can wither on the vine if messages about the scheme fail to stand out from the rest of the corporate communications targeted at the average employee.
- Analysis
Sharesave and Sips can help staff recruitment and retention
Sharesave and Sips can be tactical incentives in recruitment and retention battles, says Sonia Speedy
- Analysis
Could salary sacrifice pension arrangements be on the way out?
There is much speculation that the government could pull the plug on salary sacrifice pension arrangements particularly as personal accounts draw nearer, but how likely is this to happen, asks Sonia Speedy
- Analysis
Phantom share schemes have their uses
Phantom share schemes have uses for both private and publicly-listed companies, says Sonia Speedy
- Article
A buyer's guide to sharesave
Interest in risk-free saving through sharesave schemes may rise as a result of new tax-saving opportunities brought about by pensions simplification, says Sonia Speedy
- Analysis
Can group self-invested personal pensions rival GPPs?
Self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) have been riding on a wave of popularity and now the group Sipp is muscling in on the act making its own headlines and attracting employers' attention.
- Analysis
Focus on shares: Lawful financial advice
When referring to employee share plans, employers cannot give anything resembling financial advice, so†Sonia Speedy shows how to stay on the right side of the law
- Analysis
Investing in individual savings accounts (ISAs)
With a pension scheme, tax benefits are obtained at the start, while with an individual savings account (Isa) the tax benefit is on the money generated by investments.
- Analysis
Pick pension funds wisely
Look to see if the provider offers a good range of funds and has procedures in place to regularly review them.