She probably works very hard, but should RSPB really be paying its chief executive more than Prime Minister gets?

 

Beccy Speight: "I believe I am in the best place to make a difference" 

THERE has been another pay rise for the RSPB's chief executive, Beccy Speight.

The charity's annual report reveals that her annual remuneration  package (including benefits) has risen to £200,069.

This compares with £195,445 last year and £189,473 the previous year.

She is paid significantly more than the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer (£166,786) and even his chief of staff, Sue Gray (£170,000).

Except for attending board meetings, Ms Speight seldom attends the society's HQ in Bedfordshire. She prefers to work from her home in Nottinghamshire.

However, the society's remuneration committee continues to be  impressed by her energy and commitment since she took the reins in August 2019.

Ms Speight says of her job: "My role is to lead the organisation, build relationships with key partners, represent our views externally and work with the council and executive board to develop our forward direction and ensure we deliver that plan. 

"I believe I am in the best possible place to make a real difference for birds, the natural world and people. 

"I feel fortunate to work with a great team of staff, volunteers, members and supporters to do just that."

Between them, Ms Speight and her other seven directors were last year  paid £848,970 compared with  £788,373 the previous year when there was one fewer director.

The total travelling, accommodation and subsistence expenses reimbursed to them was £28,372 compared with £24,918 the previous year).

A total of  48 RSPB staff now receive salaries of £60,000 per annum or more. This compares with 38 last year.

How can a charity afford to be so generous with its remuneration of senior staff?

The annual financial review reveals that money is cascading into its coffers - a record £169.9-million last year.