Fat cat bosses face pay rebellion

SHAREHOLDER rebellions against FTSE 100 executives' bumper paydays more than doubled in the first half of 2025 as companies boosted pay in a battle to compete with US giants.

- By Samuel Norman

Pay revolts were up 120% in the first six months of the year as the likes of Melrose, British Gas owner Centrica and Unilever faced a backlash.

Centrica boss Chris O'Shea admitted in January there was “no point” in trying to justify his £8.2million pay packet.

Almost 40% of votes were cast against the remuneration report.

The pay award follows a hefty sum from the previous year, where the energy executive raked in a base salary of £810,000, a £1.4m annual bonus and a £5.9m long-term bonus deal.

Meanwhile, Melrose shareholders blocked a pay deal worth more than £200m for its boss and three former executives.