DSG International Plc (DSGI.L) is expected to win the backing of some of its biggest shareholders for a salary sacrifice scheme, even though the controversial arrangement has come under attack from an investor advisory group, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
Standard Life, DSG's biggest shareholder with a 12% stake, is expected to back the scheme, which is likely to see John Browett, DSG chief executive, sacrifice 25% of his salary in return for share options.
Pirc, the investor advisory service, took issue with the proposal because, unlike the retailer's other option plans, this scheme is not based on the participants' performance. The Association of British Insurers issued an "amber top" alert, highlighting that the proposal might breach its guidelines on best corporate governance practice.
The proposal will be voted on September 2 at DSG's annual shareholder meeting. One top 10 shareholder said the amber top alert had been to notify investors that the arrangement was unusual. Insight Investment, which holds about 2.25% of the shares in DSG, which would put it among the top 10 investors, has voted for the proposal.
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