EasyJet has been criticised by equal pay campaigners amid reports it is to pay incoming chief executive Johan Lundgren more than predecessor Carolyn McCall.
Lundgren, who joins the low-cost carrier on December 1, will receive a basic salary of £740,000; according to This is Money - £36,000 more than McCall received during her seven years at the helm at the company.
Equal pay campaigners yesterday slammed the move, highlighting the fact that Lundgren has significantly less experience in the sector than his predecessor.
Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, said: “This is a classic example of a less experienced man being more highly valued than the experienced woman he is replacing, for no other reason than the fact that he is a man.
“This is why we are campaigning for equal pay, because it is unfair that women have to fight all the time for recognition, while it is handed on a plate to men.”
Stefan Stern, director of the UK’s High Pay Centre, added: “It doesn’t look great that he has come in higher than his predecessor, it’s going to raise a few eyebrows.”
In a statement issued to TTG, an easyJet spokesperson said:[Lundgren’s] basic salary is broadly in line with [his] predecessor’s. All other aspects - including the overall structure, all bonus and long term incentive plan targets are identical.”
McCall, who will leave easyJet to head up ITV at the end of this month, will be replaced by Lundgren, who was with Tui Group for 12 years as group deputy chief executive and chief executive, mainstream markets.