Microsoft Faces Shareholder Backlash Over CEO's Compensation Package

Norway's $2 trillion Sovereign Wealth Fund voted against Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's re-election as chair of the Microsoft Board and opposed his $96 million compensation package during the shareholders' meeting on December 5.

The Fund, which holds a 1.35% stake in Microsoft worth $50 billion, expressed concerns about excessive executive pay and governance structures where a CEO also serves as board chair, arguing that it weakens accountability.

Despite this opposition, Microsoft shareholders approved Nadella's compensation package, which reflects a 22% increase from the previous year, attributed to a 23% stock surge in 2025 and significant progress in AI, according to regulatory filings.