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