SIG shareholders unhappy with payment to Steve Francis

Materials firm SIG has promised to look at how much it rewards its executives after it narrowly saw off a shareholder revolt over plans to hand chief executive Steve Francis a 拢375,000 payout.

Described by the firm as a one-off payment, it attracted the ire of shareholders in the embattled company who have in recent months seen it dive to a 拢112m pre-tax loss, pull plans to sell its insulation panels business to Kingspan for 拢37.5m and turn to a cash-raising initiative to drum up 拢165m in new equity.

Steve Francis white

More than 44% of shareholders voted against the plan to award Francis (pictured), who was appointed in February, the money which it was said was made 鈥渙utside the terms of the Directors鈥 Remuneration Policy鈥.

The firm, which furloughed 2,000 staff at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, added: 鈥淸The company] acknowledges that a significant number of votes were cast opposing the resolution [to pay the 拢375,000].

鈥淭he Board intends to consult with shareholders on amendments to the Directors鈥 Remuneration Policy, including with respect to long term incentive plan arrangements, over the coming months and will include consultation with relevant shareholders as part of this process.鈥

The announcement was made as part of SIG鈥檚 general meeting which rubber-stamped a 拢165m equity raise which included 拢60m from New York private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.