Concerns of ‘overboarding’ spark shareholder backlash against Compass non-exec
A non-executive at FTSE 100 food company the Compass Group sparked a shareholder backlash at its annual general meeting today over concerns she holds too many roles.
Twenty two per cent of the votes cast on whether Ireena Vittal should be re-elected to the company’s board went against her.
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Chairman Paul Walsh received an eight per cent vote against his re-election, but most of the other resolutions were passed overwhelmingly.
Compass said: “The board notes the result of resolution 12 relating to the re-election of Ireena Vittal. Over the last 12 months Mrs Vittal has reduced the number of non-executive roles held and the Board believes that she continues to discharge her role at Compass Group PLC effectively. However, the board takes seriously the results of the AGM and will engage with shareholders to understand and discuss their concerns regarding over-boarding.”
According to the Compass website Vittal is a non-executive director of Godrej Consumer Products Limited, WIPRO Limited, The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Titan Company Limited and Cipla.
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She was formerly a non-executive director of Tata GLobal Beverages, Tata Industries, Zomato Media, Glaxosmithkline Consumer and Axis Bank.
She was previously head of marketing and sales at Hutchinson Max Telecom and a partner at McKinsey.