The chief executive of MSI Reproductive Choices has received a £233,068 bonus in 2022 – doubling his annual salary.
The reproductive healthcare charity’s annual accounts for 2022, which were filed with Companies House last week, show bonus payments to Simon Cooke rose from £229,068 last year. His base salary is £233,068, the accounts show.
The charity defended the payment, which came as its income rose by 11 per cent year on year, from £290.6m to £322.5m.
MSI’s board have previously been criticised by the Charity Commission for failing to properly record discussions before awarding Cooke a £217,250 bonus in 2018.
A spokesperson for MSI Reproductive Choices said: “MSI is a global social business that provides health services across 37 countries, employs nearly 9,000 people, and manages around £320m annually.
“We generate a significant portion of our revenue from our own private sector operations and the CEO’s total remuneration package is set by the board of trustees, as part of our duty to ensure our organisation has the best leadership in place to deliver on our ambitious targets.
“It is benchmarked against our international NGO and commercial partners, with whom we compete for the best staff, and set against tough and measurable targets designed to achieve the highest possible impact and return on investment for our donors and stakeholders.
“While we do not attempt to match corporate packages, we do pay salaries to attract the right talent and leadership skills and are confident that this is the right approach for the delivery of our organisation’s mission and for the women who need our services.
“Last year MSI supported over 21 million women and girls with reproductive healthcare.”
The accounts show the charity’s net income almost doubled last year, growing from £9.8m to £18.9m.
Total income from charitable activities rose by 13 per cent year on year to £309m.
The charity said it saved 42,600 women’s and girl’s lives over the course of the year and averted 7.2 million unsafe abortions.