The pay for independent non-executive directors across Hong Kong varies significantly with the highest-paid director’s salary of HK$12.96 million being 2400 times that of the lowest-paid of HK$6,787, a survey revealed.
The survey, conducted by the Hong Kong Independent Non-Executive Directors Association in 2025, looked into five key dimensions of board composition and compensation, including the market size of independent directors, compensation structure, age, board size, and the proportion of independent directors and female representation. The study covers 2,637 listed companies across the city.
Some independent non-executive directors are paid far more than the market average, with the top five earners receiving annual salaries ranging from HK$2.92 million to HK$12.97 million, the highest being 50 times the average.
On the other hand, the lowest-paid earner has a mere annual salary of 6,000 yuan (HK$6,787), while the other five lowest-paid directors earn HK$12,000 or less; making the highest-paid independent director's salary about 2,040 times that of the lowest-paid.
The financial sector boasts the highest pay for independent non-executive directors of listed companies of up to HK$12.97 million, while that of the information technology and industrial sectors are lower, according to the survey.
Among the surveyed, the financial industry leads in average annual salary for independent non-executive directors of listed companies at HK$339,800.
In contrast, information technology companies have the lowest average annual salary at HK$213,900, while the industrial sector ranks second lowest at HK$218,800.
There are currently 6,722 independent non-executive directors occupying 8,442 positions across listed companies of all sizes in Hong Kong, the results revealed.
On average, each listed company has approximately 3.2 independent non-executive directors. Of these, 5,596 individuals serve as independent directors for one company, 756 for two companies, 224 for three companies, and the remaining 146 for four to twelve companies.
Only about six individuals, representing just 0.08 percent of the total, serve for seven or more listed companies.
In addition, the study showed a trend towards a younger age structure for independent directors, with an average age of 57.95 years, a decrease of 1.28 years from the previous year.
The average age is generally high, with 76.31 percent over 50 years old, showing the industry's demand for experienced professionals.
The oldest independent non-executive director is 94 years old, while the youngest is just 25.
