Moneyweb reports that the competition for global executive talent has resulted in a notable uptick in remuneration packages for top leadership roles in SA.
Executive directors have seen significant increases in total remuneration – with chief executives receiving an 8% boost and chief financial officers (CFOs) experiencing a 19% rise. These increases were driven by higher guaranteed pay and improved incentives. CFO pay was particularly influenced by stronger short-term and long-term incentives, suggesting a shift in the pay mix towards performance-based rewards.
The 18th PwC Directors Remuneration and Trends Report, based on data from the top JSE 200 companies, shows that hybrid incentive designs, blending performance share plans and restricted share plans are becoming more common as companies compete for global talent. “This shift caps a 15-year evolution from a regulatory emphasis on transparency and fairness to a clear focus on competitiveness,” the report notes. Over the past two years, a rising number of FTSE 100 companies have lifted total incentive opportunities materially, with six doing so by 100% of salary or more in 2024, and a further 16 doing so this year.
“These developments provide a useful reference point for South African companies considering calibrated adjustments to executive reward positioning in line with global market dynamics and shareholder expectations,” according to the report. In SA, the median for total remuneration amounted to R21.3 million for CEOs and R12.6 million for CFOs in 2025.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Amanda Visser at Moneyweb
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page