Tesla board exploring new pay deal for Musk: FT

Tesla's board has formed a special committee to review CEO Elon Musk's compensation, which could result in a new stock options package, the Financial Times reported yesterday.

- ABINAYA VIJAYARAGHAVAN

The two-member committee comprises Tesla board Chair Robyn Denholm and independent board member Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, the newspaper reported, citing several people familiar with the matter.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. Ms Denholm and Ms Wilson-Thompson did not respond to requests for comment through LinkedIn.

The committee will also consider alternative ways to compensate Mr Musk for his past work if Tesla's 2018 pay package isn't reinstated through a court appeal, the FT said, adding that any new stock options would depend on the company meeting financial, operational, and share price targets.

Tesla is at a turning point as Mr Musk, its largest shareholder with a 13% stake, shifts focus from a promised affordable EV platform to robotaxis and humanoid robots, positioning the company more as an AI and robotics firm than a traditional automaker.

Last month, the EV maker said the board has formed a special committee to consider some compensation matters involving Mr Musk, without disclosing details.

In March, the billionaire kicked off an appeal to try to restore his $56 billion payday from Tesla, claiming a lower court judge made multiple legal errors in rescinding the record compensation.

Earlier this month, Ms Denholm denied a Wall Street Journal report that said board members had reached out to several executive search firms to find a replacement for Mr Musk. REUTERS

their plans, including the reason for them or the conditions under which shares will be sold. They also have a lot of leeway to cancel the plans.