Basic fees for non-executive directors have jumped by 13% in the past year to average £40,000, often for 25 days work a year, according to a new report.

A study by Incomes Data Services (IDS) of fees paid to non-executive directors in hundreds of leading firms showed they ranged from £20,000 a year to £95,000.

The number of women in non-executive roles rose slightly from 12% to 13.4% over the past year, the study showed.

The study also found that average pay for the chairmen of top companies was more than £300,000 a year.