Recent months may have seen a flurry of new investment concerns with no trading businesses of their own arrive on the market, yet AIM companies continued to pay their chief executives an average of £137,000 last year, according to new research from Growth Business’ sister publication Growth Company Investor.

The survey, of 700 AIM companies, also uncovered that those listed on the market paid their boards an average of £382,200 in 2004/05. Some easily exceeded this total, however, with solidly profitable marine equipment specialist Hamworthy, for instance, awarding its whole board a staggering £3.5 million during the period. Almost £1 million went to group’s chief executive alone, with these generous payouts being awarded for successful management of the company’s float process.

Several loss-making businesses also made sizeable payouts to their directors, with those at the helm of IFA group Millfield receiving a combined £1.4 million, even though the company lost £14 million during the year.

For further details of the report’s findings and an order form for the full 22-page document click here .

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• This report has recently been updated. To purchase a copy of the latest report into Directors’ Pay on AIM 2006 in pdf format for £295 + VAT simply click here, call 020 7250 7010, or email info@growthcompany.co.uk.