Catherine Merry

Practice Areas

Catherine is a Partner in our Employee Incentives Team.

Catherine advises on the design, implementation, and operation all forms of share schemes and bespoke equity and cash incentive arrangements as well as on their treatment and negotiation in the context of corporate transactions. Catherine’s clients range from FTSE 100 companies to small private companies and start-ups. She has a wealth of experience advising listed companies and assisting international companies wishing to extend their employee share incentive arrangements across multiple jurisdictions. Catherine also leads the Employee Incentive Team’s work with financial institutions.

Clients working with Catherine comment that they are “in safe hands not only technically but also as to market practice and matters of judgement”.

Professional Memberships

Member of the Share Plan Lawyers Group

Work Highlights

A start up bank on the design and implementation of equity incentive arrangements for senior employees including a bespoke growth arrangement.

A UK listed specialist property REIT on the design and implementation of a bespoke executive incentive arrangement combining bonus deferral and long term incentive elements.

A UK listed, multinational software company on the design, implementation and operation of executive and employee share plans at IPO, extending these internationally and advising on all issues arising from the day-to-day operation of its share plans.

A FTSE 100 company on the corporate governance and remuneration code issues arising in the context of the proposed incentives to be offered to a senior hire.

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc on its listing and admission to AIM.

Ei Group on all of the share plan aspects its £1.3bn recommended all-cash offer from Stonegate Pub Company Limited including advising in connection with an SAYE scheme and working with Computershare in relation to the same.

Corporate trustees on the administration of non-tax advantaged employee share plans.

Education