The Equilar Institute provides in-depth research and analysis on boards of directors, shareholder engagement, executive compensation and other issues affecting the world of corporate governance. Below are some key highlights from the last quarter that showcase the breadth of information available in public filings via the Equilar database. Visit www.equilar.com/institute or www.equilar.com/blog.html to read these articles in full as well as many more.
Equilar recently launched the CHRO Content Series to offer insights and trends related to top HR officers at the largest U.S. companies. The first installment examines the prevalence of CHROs in the named executive officer (NEO) role. The study shows that this figure increased each year since 2019, with just under 6% of Russell 3000 CHROs finding themselves among the highest-paid executives at their companies in 2021.
Over the past 10 years, the pressure to increase female representation in the higher ranks of Corporate America grew profoundly. Russell 3000 companies made significant progress toward this goal as the percentage of female named executive officers (NEOs) increased substantially over the past 10 years. An Equilar study reveals that in 2010 only 8.1% of NEOs were women; however, by 2020, that number grew to 13.7%, a growth rate of 69.1%.
Across Corporate America, companies often incentivize candidates for C-suite positions with competitive compensation packages, as well as other forms of compensation to lure talent. This study examines the use of new-hire awards granted to CEOs and CFOs across Equilar 500 companies over the last 10 years. The results reflect the fluctuation of the portion of new-hire awards in overall annual compensation and provide insight on whether companies are offering larger new-hire packages or simply raising the total compensation.