HAMMERSON GIVEN A BLOODY NOSE BY INVESTORS

SHAREHOLDERS in shopping centre owner Hammerson humiliated bosses in a revolt over high executive pay.

Almost 30pc of investors rejected the Bullring-owner’s remuneration report at its annual meeting, embarrassing Hammerson and chief executive David Atkins ( pictured), after a £266.7m full-year loss and an abandoned £3.4bn takeover bid for Intu.

Shareholder advisory firm ISS recommended opposing the pay report due to concerns over stock awards and bonuses worth millions dished out to executives including Atkins, 53. ISS said the rewards were an affront. Atkins was handed £1.2m last year, compared with £1.8m a year earlier.

Hammerson said: ‘The remuneration committee will be undertaking its regular triennial review prior to submitting the revised policy to shareholders at the AGM in 2020. Views of shareholders and voting agencies will be considered, and consultation undertaken, to ensure executive reward continues to be aligned with shareholder interests.’

Shares, down 40pc in the past year, fell 1.6pc, or 5.1p, to 321.9p yesterday.