
How Norconsult Achieved IPO Success
70% Employee Participation, Full Compliance, and a Future-Ready Equity Program



Company overview
Launching 5,000+ Employee Shares While Meeting Key IPO Compliance Requirements
While Norconsult had established a strong employee ownership culture, its in-house software and manual processes couldn't support the scale of an IPO. In addition, launching a gift share plan for over 5,000 employees across multiple regions—each with unique regulatory and tax requirements—posed logistical and compliance hurdles, including strict IFRS-2 reporting standards.
"We needed a partner who could take ownership of the entire equity compensation process," explained Dag Fladby, CFO at Norconsult. "With complex reporting standards and varying tax regulations across our operating countries, we couldn't afford to get bogged down in manual administration or risk compliance issues."
Powerful Equity Management Platform Enhanced by Local Expertise and End-to-End Administrative Support
Optio stepped in as a trusted partner to ensure Norconsult’s equity compensation program was implemented on time and with precision. Combining their state-of-the-art software platform with local expertise, Optio delivered a solution tailored to Norconsult’s needs. The platform supports Norconsult with:
• Robust Financial Reporting: Embedded Black-Scholes valuation models and IFRS-2 reporting ensure compliance with stock exchange requirements.
• Employee Portal: A user-friendly portal allows employees across Europe to track their share allocations and simulate potential future gains, increasing engagement and transparency.
• Tax and Regulatory Localization: Optio’s software addresses country-specific requirements, including 7P tax reporting for Denmark and tax-optimized discount calculations for Norway.
Additionally, Norconsult benefits from Optio’s experience with IPOs and equity programs in Europe. Optio provided practical recommendations and insights, helping Norconsult align its equity plan with market best practices. Furthermore, Optio handled every aspect of administration, including:
• Managing participant communications, answering employee inquiries, and holding informational sessions.
70% Participation, Full Compliance, and a Strong Foundation for Employee Ownership
The results of Norconsult’s partnership with Optio speak for themselves. Norconsult achieved a remarkable employee participation rate, ensured full compliance with IPO requirements, and reduced administrative burdens. Beyond the IPO's success, the partnership has expanded equity programs that foster long-term employee engagement and retention.
• 70% Employee Participation: Participation was far above the industry average of 20–30%, demonstrating employee engagement and trust in the company’s ownership culture.

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