Woman tops CEOs' pay list for first time

It has been a long time coming, but a woman has topped the ranks of CEO pay for the first time, according to the Australian Financial Review’s annual survey, prepared by data company OpenDirector.

Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake is Australia's highest paid CEO after receiving more than $18 million. Best performing CEO, based on shareholder returns over the past financial year, was Fortescue Metals CEO Elizabeth Gaines. She was ranked 33 for CEO pay on more than $5 million.

The survey reveals that the salaries of CEOs at the big banks have nosedived and that mining, property and healthcare CEOs now dominate the list.

Only four women made the top 50 and ‘just’ five CEOs cracked the $10 million mark.

Greg Goodman, founder of property group Goodman, ranked second on $12.8 million, CSL chief Paul Perrault received $11.7 million, outgoing Treasury Wine CEO Michael Clarke $11.4 million and outgoing BHP boss Andrew Mackenzie $10.54 million.

The figures are based on total statutory pay reported in the latest annual reports, which includes the accounting value of shares and options in the year they are granted. This is in contrast with realised pay, which includes the actual value of shares and options vested in that year.

Total remuneration for the top 50 CEOs increased by four per cent on average, compared to general wage growth of 2.2 per cent.

The survey reports that Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci, who has been under fire over wage theft, saw his pay rise almost 20 per cent to $7.7 million. But overall, “CEO pay has remained relatively modest”, says the survey.

4 comments

Nice story, pity the real statistics were omitted. How many CEO's are female? Latest statistics show that there are 14 in the ASX/200 listed companies which is 7%, so if 4 females made the top 50 that equates to 8%. Congratulations to Shemara Wikramanayake for her achievement.

The same old whine. Its NOT a numbers game!  

Great to see a female CEO do well and I wish her continued success.

Of course women at the top of the tree need to perform, not just sit around sipping tea.  Gail Kelly (Westpac) did that admirably and she also had the baby issue sorted.....so was in a position to do the job as required.  That's what the criers of disadvantage never talk about.  

Why is it that when it is onvious that our economy is not in god shape CEOs are still taking home outlandish financial rewards? 

 

Because the Boards of the companies were the ones who wrote the contracts which gave low parameters and high returns for little effort. I'd sign one of those contracts if I could. You're blaming the wrong people.

Why is it that when it is onvious that our economy is not in god shape CEOs are still taking home outlandish financial rewards? 

Female or not, NO ONE is worth $18m or even the lowly $7.7m.

 

Perhaps if Macquarrie reduced the CEO salarie, they could 'afford' to reduce concession fees at Sydney airport that result in $10 packs of Tim Tams and $7 parking charges for 15-30 mins.

Macquarie sold Sydney Airport Corporation years ago.  It still has some shares but most are held by shareholders.

I recall they reduced the parking charges last year but you'll need to check that out. 

The over proced food?  We noticed that food prices have come down significantly over the past 4 years.  If the Tim Tams are a rip off then don't buy them.  Despite being shareholders in this company WE NEVER DO.

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