32% of Johnston shareholders vote against exec pay

Johnston Press CEO Ashley Highfield

Johnston Press — owner of The Scotsman, the i newspaper and the Yorkshire Post — said 32% of shareholders at its annual general meeting voted against its resolution on directors’ remuneration and its resolution to authorise performance share plan awards without performance conditions.

Johnston Press said it noted “the significant proportion of the votes cast against” the resolutions.

“The company will continue its ongoing dialogue with shareholders at the appropriate time in order to further understand the reasons behind the results of the votes on these resolutions,” said Johnston Press.

On May 15, Johnston Press said that following consultations with shareholders, its proposed new directors’ remuneration policy had been changed to reduce the bonus potential for its executive directors.