Top ten highest paid professional executives

N Chandrasekaran could don the hat of the highest paid chairman of Tata Sons, if his Tata Consultancy Services compensation package is retained. While this remains to be seen, it is interesting to look at the highest paid professional executives who are at the helm.   

A M Naik, Group Executive Chairman, Larsen & Toubro

Total remuneration: 66.14 crore Ratio to median remuneration: 1004.77 % increase in remuneration: 142.14% % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 9.35%

As he gets ready to pass the baton to SN Subrahmanyan in 2017, he is turning to philanthropy by pledging 75% of his total earnings to charity  

Vishal Sikka, Managing Director & CEO, Infosys

Total remuneration: 48.73 crore Ratio to median remuneration: 935.41  % increase in remuneration (Based on annualised salary): 751.9%  % increase in the median remuneration of employees (excluding whole time directors): 6.4%

Since his appointment in June 2014, the company has added close to 1 lakh crore in market value in the last two years between June 2014 and June 2016.

CP Gurnani, Managing Director & CEO, Tech Mahindra

Total remuneration: 45.36 crore  Ratio to median remuneration: 867.36  % increase in remuneration: -73% % increase in the median remuneration of employees: -7.9%

This chemical engineering graduate has extensive experience start-ups and turnarounds and joint ventures. Mergers and acquisitions are a critical part of the strategy and off late announced the takeover of UK-based Target Group for 120 million pounds.

N Chandrasekaran , Managing Director & CEO, TCS

Total remuneration: 25.66 crore  Ratio to median remuneration: 459.84  % increase in remuneration: 20.56%  % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 9.2%

The company's bottom line trebled under the marathoner who will move to the Tata headquarters next month.

Vinod Kumar , Managing Director & CEO, Tata Communications

Total remuneration: 16.35 crore (Includes the salary of,Tata Communications Services (International) Ratio to median remuneration: 39.84    % increase in remuneration: 16.34% % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 4.05%

Gave up golf and is a polo enthusiast. He was closely associated with the acquisitions of the Tyco Global Network and Teleglobe.

Yogesh Chander Deveshwar , Chairman, ITC

Total remuneration: 15.15 crore  Ratio to median remuneration: 427  % increase in remuneration: -2%  % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 1%

After two decades at the helm , YC Deveshwar will step down next month from the company's executive role. Took a pay cut last fiscal as cigarette volumes of ITC took a hit in 2015/16.

Braja K Mishra , Managing Director, Welspun Corp

Total remuneration: 15.06 crore Ratio to median remuneration: 555.89 % increase in remuneration:23.8%  % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 11.13%

Has relinquished his executive responsibilities in the company from December 2016 but is still associated with Welspun as an advisor. He has been associated with the company since inception, except for a brief break in 2009.

Jitin Goyal , Executive Director & CEO, Polaris Consulting & Services

Total remuneration: 14.43 crore  Ratio to median remuneration: 29.12    % increase in remuneration: 8%  % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 1.57%

He quit the company in November 2016. During the September quarter of 2016, the company reported a 6 per cent fall in the revenues and profit plunged 28%.

Sanjiv Mehta , Managing Director & CEO, Hindustan Unilever

Total remuneration: 13.87 crore  Ratio to median remuneration: 134  % increase in remuneration: 3.8%  % increase in the median remuneration of employees: 6.47%

He plans to invest more in developing markets. The company carried out the world's largest sampling exercise last year, which has helped growth in emerging categories.

(This list includes only the professional executive heads of the company for the year 2015/16; The designations and data are as per the 2015/16 annual reports;  total remuneration includes perquisites & bonus)