In suspense: Elon Musk is already one of the richest men in the world
Elon Musk’s future as Tesla chief executive hangs in the balance as the electric car company’s shareholders vote on his £44bn pay deal.
Tensions have risen after a Delaware court voided his compensation package, finding the board had set it inappropriately.
But tonight, shareholders decide whether to restore his salary, the largest in American corporate history.
Musk, one of the world’s richest men, has been trying to drum up support after a flood of shareholders suggested they would rebel.
Influential proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis oppose the deal and the eighth largest shareholder, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, does not support the package.
“We remain concerned about the overall size of the award,” Norges Bank Investment Management said.
The pay deal, set six years ago, was linked to performance targets such as share price and profits and meant Musk was entitled to £44bn.
Musk, worth an estimated £154bn, does not receive a salary at Tesla.
In January, a US judge struck down the package, but directors insist the payment was intended to keep Musk incentivized as he juggles ownership of several other companies, including X and satellite company Space that he can walk away from Tesla.