This blog gives you the latest topical news plus some informal comments on them from ShareSoc’s directors and other contributors. These are the personal comments of the authors and not necessarily the considered views of ShareSoc. The writers may hold shares in the companies mentioned. You can add your own comments on the blog posts, but note that ShareSoc reserves the right to remove or edit comments where they are inappropriate or defamatory.

Alliance Trust, Katherine Garrett-Cox and Perverse LTIPs

I have previously commented positively on the outcome of the “revolution” that took place at Alliance Trust (ATST) as reflected in their latest accounts which were recently published. That revolution resulted in the departure of former CEO Katherine Garrett-Cox who resigned in February 2016.

The latest Annual Report shows that she is still being paid large amounts though. For example, total “single figure” remuneration for the 2016 calendar year is given as £1,305,000 and was £832,000 for 2017.

She is likely to be paid still more in future as she is still entitled to LTIP and performance share awards that will vest in 2020. The pay-outs will depend on the positive performance of the company which has been achieved since her departure, which she obviously will have had little influence over. Certainly not by 2020.

Now she may be contractually entitled to these payments under her contract or as might have been agreed to ensure her timely departure, but is it fair and reasonable for her to claim such amounts? Some shareholders think not and are writing to her to suggest that she might like to consider waiving her entitlement or donating the value to charity.

This is of course yet another example of how LTIPs and other performance schemes in public companies lead to perverse outcomes.

Roger Lawson (Twitter: https://twitter.com/RogerWLawson )

P.S. Would anyone like a proxy appointment to enable them to go to the Persimmon AGM on the 25th April in York – and harass them about the wonders of their LTIPs? I can supply if you reply by commenting on this blog.

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