Behind the Numbers: When is CEO pay a problem?

Last year CEO pay rose 20 times faster than workers’ pay, according to new research from Oxfam and the International Trade Union Confederation. At the most extreme end of that pay scale, investors approved an executive package for Elon Musk worth a potential $1tn. So when does CEO pay become too high? What are the commercial, ethical and cultural implications for organisations if they’re perceived to be over-paying their CEOs? And as businesses compete globally for the best executive talent what can Boards do to keep pay packages in check? Links Top CEO pay statistics from Oxfam - https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/top-ceo-pay-increased-20-times-faster-workers-pay-2025 ICAEW: Remuneration Committee ebooks - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committees/remuneration-committee-ebooks ICAEW: Guidance on remuneration - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committees ICAEW: How a CEOs pay package influences corporate culture - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/apr-2025/how-a-ceos-pay-package-influences-corporate-culture ICAEW CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-record Host Philippa Lamb Guests Shefaly Yogendra, independent Board director, board adviser and author Peter van Veen, Governance and Ethics Director, ICAEW Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 17 June Podcast recorded: 11 May