A campaign by investors in the US to secure a measure of control over the pay packages of company directors has dominated this year's proxy season, with 40 investor proposals for a "say on pay" pulling in an average 42% support. Last year, this topic averaged 40% at just seven firms.

Institutional Shareholder Services, the corporate governance unit of risk consultancy RiskMetrics, said it had seen a similar increase in support two years ago on the issue of majority voting - a reform popular with governance activists that makes it easier for shareholders to unseat directors.