Form 4: Gartner EVP Awarded Significant Equity Compensation

Gartner's EVP of Global Sales & Service Operations, William James Wartinbee III, received substantial equity awards including Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights.

Summary

• William James Wartinbee III, EVP, Global Sales & Service Operations at Gartner Inc. (IT), reported the acquisition of equity awards.
• The awards include 1,381 performance-based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) with a transaction date of February 5, 2026, and an award date of February 6, 2025.
• These RSUs vest in four substantially equal annual installments, commencing on February 6, 2026, after the performance metric was certified.
• Additionally, 10,133 Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) were acquired with a transaction date of February 5, 2026, and an exercise price of $152.03.
• The SARs become exercisable in four substantially equal annual installments, commencing on February 5, 2027, and expire on February 5, 2033.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a positive development, as it signifies continued executive commitment and aligns management's financial incentives with the company's long-term success and shareholder value.

Positives

• The acquisition of performance-based RSUs and SARs aligns the executive's interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
• These equity awards serve as a strong incentive for the EVP to drive company performance and growth.

Future Outlook

The filing details future vesting and exercisability schedules for the equity awards, indicating a long-term incentive structure for the executive.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that granting performance-based equity awards like RSUs and SARs is a common practice in the technology and consulting sectors to attract, retain, and motivate key executives, linking their compensation directly to company performance and shareholder returns.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Executive compensation packages in the IT and research industry frequently include a significant equity component, similar to Gartner's approach.
• Companies like Forrester Research and IDC (part of IDG) also utilize performance-based equity to incentivize leadership, aligning with best practices for executive retention and performance motivation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The equity awards align the executive's interests with shareholder value, potentially leading to improved long-term performance.
• Employees: May signal stability in executive leadership and a commitment to performance-based incentives within the company.

Next Steps

• RSUs will vest in four substantially equal annual installments, commencing February 6, 2026.
• SARs will become exercisable in four substantially equal annual installments, commencing February 5, 2027.

Key Dates

Keywords

Gartner, IT, Executive Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Insider Transaction, Equity Awards, Corporate Governance