Updated 16.2.2024
Remuneration at Wärtsilä is guided by the ’Pay for Performance’ principles of being responsive, transparent, competitive, and aligning relevant interests. These principles guide the development of remuneration and related practices approach throughout the organisation including for the President & CEO and the rest of the Board of Management. Remuneration principles are designed to attract, retain, and motivate by providing compensation solutions that reward performance in delivering business results.
The remuneration for the CEO and the rest of the Board of Management is prepared by the People Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The People Committee evaluates how Wärtsilä’s Remuneration Principles have been implemented and the competitiveness of the remuneration. The remuneration is benchmarked against relevant peer group, and the benchmark study is reviewed by the People Committee.
Remuneration of the CEO and the rest of the Board of Management
The remuneration for the CEO and the rest of the Board of Management consists of fixed and variable compensation. The objective is to have a good balance of rewarding elements, by a market competitive level of fixed pay supplemented by short-term incentive (STI) and long-term incentive (LTI) schemes aimed at driving company performance and providing an appropriate total compensation.
Fixed pay
The fixed pay to the CEO and to the rest of the Board of Management consists of a monthly base salary and pension & benefits. The base salary is reviewed annually, taking into consideration the company and the individual performance, along with relevant market comparison. The review does not necessarily lead to a salary increase. Statutory increases are being applied as required based on the applicable regulation. The annual base salary of the CEO is EUR 1,001,520.
The CEO and the rest of the Board of Management are provided medical insurance and life insurance. They are also offered a company car benefit. Taking into consideration Wärtsilä's emphasis on environmental responsibility, hybrid or low emission cars are recommended.
The CEO and the rest of the Board of Management participate in company specific supplementary pension schemes, in addition to any statutory requirements. The nature of the supplementary pension schemes and retirement ages vary. They are generally based on the retirement scheme of the national social security system to which the person in question belongs and are typically defined contribution based. The retirement age of the CEO is sixty-three (63). The supplementary pension contribution for the CEO is equivalent to 30% of the annual salary.
In a situation where the CEO or other member of Board of Management is recruited from a country other than the country of employment, the salary-setting and any additional benefits may be in accordance with Wärtsilä’s International Mobility framework. The additional benefits considered may be accommodation, relocation support, family related benefits, and taxation services.
Variable pay - Short-term incentives
The short-term incentive scheme is designed to provide incentives for the achievement of, and to reward the delivery of the short-term business plan. Performance period is one financial year. Targets are set on a sliding scale (min/target/max) or as on/off. When the performance criteria are met at the target level, the pay-out is 50 % of the maximum. The short-term incentive opportunity is capped at 100% of the annual base salary for the CEO, and 70-80% of the annual base salary for the rest of the Board of Management. The People Committee reviews, and the Board of Directors approves, the scheme realization against the set targets before the pay-out. Pay-out of the STI is made in cash shortly following the year-end.
2023 short-term incentive scheme for the CEO and for the rest of the Board of Management
| Group financial targets | Respective business financial targets |
CEO | 100% | NA |
Head of Support Function | 100% | NA |
Head of Business | 20% | 80% |
Variable pay - Long-term incentives
The objective of the long-term incentive scheme is to align the interests of participants with those of Wärtsilä’s shareholders. The People Committee reviews, and the Board of Directors approves, the scheme realization against the set targets before the pay-out. The pay-out is made shortly following the performance period and can be made in cash and/or in shares. Members of the Board of Management may also be granted Restricted Shares.
In January 2023, the Board of Directors decided on the long-term incentive scheme which comprises a Performance Share Plan (PSP). The plan in the PSP structure covers the years 2023-2025 and the performance criterion applied is Economic Value Added (EVA) and Sustainability Targets linked to decarbonisation. The aggregate maximum number of shares payable as a reward based on the plan is approximately 3,432,000 shares.
For PSP 2021–2023, the CEO was granted 104,651 shares, with value at target EUR 900,000 and with a maximum earning opportunity of 175% of the base pay at grant. The performance measure in the PSP is Economic Value Added. The plan resulted in a gross award equivalent to 12,140 shares. The final taxable value of the award is dependent on the share price at the time of transfer.
Ongoing schemes:
For PSP 2022-2024, the CEO was granted 86,136 shares, with value at target EUR 963,000 and with a maximum earning opportunity of 175% of the base pay at grant. The performance measure in the PSP is Economic Value Added (weighted 85%) and sustainability targets (weighted 15%).
For PSP 2023-2025, the CEO was granted 122,735 shares, with a value at target EUR 1,001,520 and witha maximum earning opportunity of 175% of the base pay at grant The performance measure in the PSP is Economic Value Added (weighted 85%) and sustainability targets (weighted 15%).
Other terms of employment of the CEO and the rest of the Board of Management
Share ownership
The CEO and the rest of the Board of Management are expected to accumulate and, once achieved, maintain a share ownership in Wärtsilä that at least corresponds to the individual’s annual gross base salary.
Notice period and severance pay
The term of notice by the CEO as well as by the company is six months. The remuneration paid to the CEO if dismissed by the company corresponds to 18 months of severance pay. The term of notice for the rest of the Board of Management is six months, and the severance paid if dismissed by the company corresponds to six months.
Further information:
Remuneration Policy for Governing Bodies of Wärtsilä
Remuneration report 2023