Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

Boohoo shareholders revolt over executive bonuses as fashion giant eyes return to profit

Shareholders of Boohoo have staged a revolt over the fashion giant's proposed executive bonuses.

The Manchester-headquartered group was braced for opposition to its remuneration report after advisory firms recommended investors reject it.

Over 32% of shareholders voted against the report at its annual general meeting on June 22.

READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter

Chief executive John Lyttle was handed a £650,000 bonus last year despite the group racking up losses of over £90m.

A statement issued to the London Stock Exchange said: "The board notes that while resolution two was approved, which gave shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the directors remuneration report for the year ended 28 February 2023, 32.48% of the votes cast were votes against resolution two.

"Over the coming months, the board will reflect on the result of resolution two, and the remuneration committee looks forward to ongoing engagement with the group's shareholders as it continues to shape the group's future remuneration policy."

On its current trading and outlook, Boohoo added: "The group's execution of its Back to growth strategy continues apace and guidance remains unchanged from that issued previously in May, with an expectation to return to profitable growth in the second half of the financial year as a result of the anticipated benefits from investments being made across price, product and proposition.

"This is expected to improve adjusted EBITDA year on year and the group continues to focus on maintaining its strong balance sheet."

In March, shareholders also voiced their displeasure at its £175m bonus plan after a vote to approve it saw significant opposition.

Announced in April, the plan will see bonuses handed out over a period of time if Boohoo's market capitalisation reaches £5bn.

After a general meeting held on March 8, a vote to approve the new plan was passed by just over 62% to 37%.

The news comes after the former chief executive of a major division at THG joined Boohoo's attempted boardroom coup at Revolution Beauty.

Earlier this week, Boohoo launched a campaign to vote the chief executive, chief financial officer and chairman of Revolution Beauty off the board.

The group, which holds a stake of around 26.6% in the company, said it intends to vote against the reappointment of CEO Bob Holt, chairman Derek Zissman and CFO Elizabeth Lake at Revolution Beauty's annual general meeting on June 27.

Boohoo also outlined plans to appoint two of its non-executive directors, Alistair McGeorge and Neil Catto, to Revolution Beauty's board to become its new executive chairman and CFO respectively.

In addition, Boohoo requested that the existing board of Revolution Beauty does not proceed to appoint Rachel Maguire and Matthew Eatough as directors.

Now, Boohoo has revealed that it wants former THG Beauty CEO Rachel Horsefield to also join Revolution Beauty's board.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.