UK FTSE 100 CEOs earn record £5 million, 130 times average worker pay

Research by the High Pay Centre shows that the median total remuneration for chief executives of FTSE 100 companies reached a new high of just over £5 million in the year to April 2026, an 8.6% increase from the previous year. This puts CEOs’ earnings at about 130 times the typical UK employee’s salary of just under £40,000, widening the pay gap to an eight‑year high.

The analysis found that 66 FTSE 100 firms raised their CEOs’ pay packages, up from 61% the year before. In total, £856.6 million was spent on executive pay across the index, including £550.4 million for CEOs. The High Pay Centre warned that the rapid growth in executive compensation outpaces wage growth for ordinary workers and urged consideration of a “fat‑cat tax” – a surcharge on corporate profits when executive pay exceeds a set threshold. The think‑tank, which has highlighted boardroom pay issues for years, is facing closure due to funding cuts.