AstraZeneca CEO Faces Critical Pay Vote Amid Shareholder Divisions

As AstraZeneca's annual meeting looms, shareholders are split on a proposed £18.7m pay deal for CEO Pascal Soriot, with debates intensifying over the competitiveness of UK executive compensation.

AstraZeneca plans a 7% dividend increase, coinciding with a contentious vote on CEO Pascal Soriot's £18.7m pay package.
Investor opinions vary widely, with some deeming Soriot 'massively underpaid' while advisory groups like Glass Lewis and ISS label the pay raise as excessive.
Soriot's leadership credited with significant company turnaround, increasing AstraZeneca's value and launching successful products like the COVID vaccine.
The debate reflects broader concerns about the ability of UK companies to attract top global talent amid competitive international pay rates.
Shareholder decisions at the upcoming annual meeting will be pivotal in setting precedents for executive compensation in the UK.