Guardian Media Group chief executive David Pemsel is going to have to make do with his basic salary (£600,000 a year) after agreeing to forgo the bonuses and other perks previously enjoyed by GMG board members.
Press Gazette understands that members of the National Union of Journalists at The Guardian have previously expressed concern over the pension top-ups given to former editor and GMG board member Alan Rusbridger and former chief executive Andrew Miller at a time the company was making cuts.
In 2011 and 2012 Rusbridger received £150,000 in pension contributions on top of his £439,000 salary. He later volunteered a 10 per cent pay cut and 50 per cent cut in these pension top-ups.
The Guardian NUJ chapel had sought to sit on the remuneration committee of Guardian Media Group. Press Gazette understands the union was offered a place on a sub-committee and then told Pemsel would be forgoing his perks.
Guardian News & Media spokesperson said: "David has accepted the wish of the GMG Board and The Scott Trust that he should be paid a straight, basic salary, without any frills, bonuses or other incentives."
New Guardian editor Katharine Viner is paid a salary of £340,000.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
