A report on directors’ remuneration has highlighted the limited levels of pay disclosure by AIM 100 companies.

The 2009 Report on FTSE AIM 100 Directors’ Remuneration by executive remuneration specialist Hewitt New Bridge Street reveals that the total reward is around 30-40% lower in AIM 100 companies compared to equivalently sized FTSE SmallCap companies.

Key findings include:

• the median salary of AIM 100 highest paid directors (typically the chief executive) is around £230,000. The median total reward is around £460,000

• around 65% of the total reward package is fixed for AIM 100 companies, compared to only 55% in FTSE SmallCap firms

• only 65% of AIM 100 companies publish an executive remuneration report – with a minority putting this to a shareholder vote. Just 21% of companies disclose their bonus cap

Rob Burdett, a principal at Hewitt New Bridge Street, says: “The debate over executive remuneration continues to intensify. While this has focused on FTSE mid- and large-cap companies to date, there is little doubt this will become an important issue for all quoted companies and their shareholders.”