Your global incentives training
Our Certificate in Employee Share Plans is the leading, and only, professionally recognised qualification for share plan practitioners in the UK.
Our Certificate in Employee Share Plans
The course has been developed and is delivered by experienced lawyers at Tapestry and is accredited by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.
Certificate in Employee Share Plans
Our Certificate in Employee Share Plans is the leading, and only, professionally recognised qualification for share plan practitioners in the UK.
The course has been developed, and is delivered, by our experienced lawyers at multi-award-winning law firm Tapestry Compliance and is accredited by The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.
This qualification is designed for those working with share plans in any context, whether you work for a company or other (non-legal) provider such as a share plan administrator or trustee. Whatever your role, if it involves share plans, this course is for you!
The course will give you the relevant knowledge you need to understand your (or your client’s) share plans better, and more holistically, providing you with the confidence to operate and execute plans both in the UK and globally.
With more than 1,000 graduates, we now have an active alumni club, offering events, news and updates. If you have previously passed the Certificate, please do go to our Alumni pages for further information.
If Cert. ESP is new to you, please do explore the information on this site, or get in touch for further details. We look forward to welcoming you on the next course.
Why take this course?
The benefits to both you and your company of studying for our Certificate in Employee Share Plans are many, and include:
- Being up-to-date. Our course covers the latest updates on plan design, governance and regulatory requirements.
- Driving efficiencies. Our graduates are able to recognise and address key issues in-house, helping to improve efficiency and support effectiveness in role.
- Reducing risk. Our graduates understand the rules and importance of compliance, reducing risk to the company and its executives, and even the risks of criminal penalties.
- Seeing the whole picture. Our course covers all key components of designing and operating executive and employee share plans. Graduates will learn how to understand and oversee the entire process, working with internal teams such as legal, tax, accounting, HR and finance, as well as external advisers like lawyers, consultants and administrators.
- Staying connected. It doesn’t end with graduation! Our alumni programme enables you to stay connected with your peers and remain up-to-date with the industry.
Course structure
To make it flexible, and to enable you to fit it around other working commitments, the course is currently split into two parts, each taught online, over five short days. We also offer some optional “hybrid” sessions and in-person events for those who are able to join us in London.
The course combines a mix of engaging group teaching with fun and practical exercises and interactive breakout sessions, each hosted by an experienced Tapestry lawyer. This approach ensures a dynamic experience and the opportunity to connect with other professionals in the field, all while consolidating your knowledge.
Each part is followed by an exam.
Part 1
- Introduction to share plans
- Design
- Legal and Regulatory
- International
Part 2
- Executive Share Plans
- Tax
- All-Employee Plans
- Accounting and disclosure
- Administration
Latest
News from the Tapestry Compliance network
7th April 2025
Annual share plans return filing – time to file
26th March 2025
Chancellor's Spring Statement March 2025
27th January 2025
UK PRA and FCA consults on key remuneration reforms for dual-regulated firms
Have a question
Frequently asked questions.
About Tapestry
We have the largest team of share plan and incentives lawyers of any UK law firm working with the world’s leading companies
Practical solutions derived from years' of experience and market knowledge
We only take on the best people who will deliver the best work for our clients. The Tapestry team is made up of a team of lawyers with over 100 years' of experience in the industry between them! All have trained with top global legal and accountancy firms. We have advised many multinational companies on major projects and transactions.
Our focus is on providing practical, commercial advice in plain English.
Trusted by the world's best
Client
Chambers & Partners 2025
Tapestry has been instrumental in providing us with advice on complex matters. They handle a broad range of matters in this space that very few firms are capable of.
Client
Chambers & Partners 2025
They are excellent at providing pragmatic advice that is actionable.
Client
Chambers & Partners 2025
Thorough guidance was always provided on all matters and the team was always available and responsive to whatever issues were raised.
Client
Legal500 2025
Tapestry are a boutique share plan firm, whose global reach means they're a one-stop-shop for us. Their industry knowledge is excellent, they take the time to get to know us as a business and what our specific needs are, and they're proactive in thinking about solutions to current issues or potential future issues.
Client
Legal500 2025
This team is hands-down the most knowledgeable and experienced in the field of employee share schemes in the UK. I cannot recommend them highly enough.