2025 Executive Reward Report

We have recently released our Executive Reward Report for 2025 containing remuneration data from 143 predominantly private sector companies on more than 2,600 CEO and executive roles. 

In summary:

• The fixed annual remuneration (FAR) median movement for same incumbents (employees in the same role, in the same company as in the 2024 survey) was 3.7%, down from our 2024 findings of 4.3%. 
• Eleven percent (11%) of same incumbents did not receive an increase to fixed pay.
• Sixty-nine percent (69%) of executives (CEOs, executives and third tier roles) received an STI payment this year (this compares to 67% in the 2024 survey).
• The median STI payment received across the database was $61,500, an increase compared to last year’s median of $57,300.
• The median same incumbent total remuneration movement has increased year-on-year, with a median movement of 5.9%, compared to 4.8% in our 2024 report.
• Year-on-year, the aggregated total of negative movement and no change to total remuneration levels was 17% this year, lower than the levels in 2024 (23%).
• The median projected fixed pay increase for CEOs and executives was 3%, a percentage lower than our 2024 findings (4%). 
• Share rights plans and variations thereof were the most prevalent LTI structure (90%), with relative total shareholder return (rTSR) utilised in isolation (or together with another metric) remaining the most common performance measurement approach.

Please contact one of our team for more information on the survey findings and trends in CEO and executive reward.

The full survey report is only available for purchase by participating companies. You can submit data at any point in the year to purchase the current survey and/or participate in the next survey.