AZ chief under fire for share award boost

Covid-19 vaccine-maker AstraZeneca has suffered a backlash over pay after nearly 40% of investor votes were cast against plans to boost the maximum payout for its boss.

The group pledged to talk to investors to try to understand their concerns after its executive pay plans narrowly passed, with just 60.2% of votes cast in favour at an annual general meeting. Nearly two-fifths (38.3%) of investor votes opposed changes that will raise boss Pascal Soriot’s maximum long-term share award from 550% to 650% of his £1.3 million salary.

Protesters outside AstraZeneca’s Cambridge headquarters called on the firm to share its vaccine technology.