Companies are holding detailed discussions over proposed remuneration packages with their shareholders after the recent voting controversy at UK companies GlaxoSmithKline and HSBC. Anita Skipper, head of corporate governance at Morley Fund Management, said: "We've had 50 in-depth discussions so far this year – well up on a year ago."

She added that the directors of banking group HBOS recently set a good example by hosting a corporate governance forum.