Median pay for FTSE 100 chief executives reached a record £4.19 million in 2023, according to data released by the High Pay Centre. This marks an increase from £4.1 million in 2022, continuing a trend of rising executive compensation.
The highest-paid chief executive was AstraZeneca's Pascal Soriot, who received a £16.85 million package. Other top earners included Rolls-Royce's Tufan Erginbilgiç at £13.61 million, GSK's Emma Walmsley at £12.72 million, and outgoing HSBC boss Noel Quinn at £10.64 million.
As a result, the median FTSE 100 CEO now earns 120 times the average full-time UK worker's salary. While this ratio fell from 124:1 in 2022, it remains above the 108:1 recorded in 2021, highlighting persistent pay inequality at the highest corporate levels.
