ir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, collected close to �2.5 million in salary and other entitlements in 2004, a 14-per cent rise on the year before, according to the advertising giant�s annual report. Sir Martin�s pay rise came thanks to a 23 per cent increase in his bonus entitlements, which rose to �1.55 million from �1.26 million in 2003. His basic salary of �840,000 was unchanged, along with �25,000 in benefits including healthcare, life assurance, car and housing allowances and club membership fees. Sir Martin, who has built WPP into the world�s second-largest advertising group (Omnicom is the largest) over the past two decades, also had � 321,000 added to his pension pot.

On top of his annual remuneration, Sir Martin is sitting on nearly �100 million of shares in the company. According to the annual report, he owned 15.63 million shares in WPP on May 10, worth �92 million at current market prices.... more