“The surge in the use of environmental measures in executive incentive plans highlights how companies are leveraging compensation structures to spur climate action,” writes Farient CEO Robin A. Ferracone in the foreword to the 2025 Global Trends in Stakeholder Incentives: Climate Strategies and Incentives for Corporate Sustainability.

The risk of unexpected executive turnover—and catching boards off guard—prompted new research by Corporate Board Member and Farient Advisors. Findings from the second year of our joint research show how boards are preparing for turnover at the top—or not.

Like musicians hitting the perfect notes, executive compensation requires the finesse of a fine orchestra, and each instrument needs to perform at its optimal best.

We are experts in executive compensation, performance, environmental, social, and governance consulting. Our professionals have provided innovative compensation solutions to clients for more than 30 years. We are your global experts in linking compensation to talent development, succession, and aligning investor and stakeholder interests.

The Overture of Compensation: Pay and Performance Alignment

Nothing hits a crescendo like compensation headlines in the news. Highly paid doesn’t mean over paid. Farient Advisors wrote the definitive book on pay and performance alignment.

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Stakeholder Incentives: The New Baseline for Investors

Investors care about stakeholders and boards and management need to care about them, too. Stakeholders may stand alone or be part of an ensemble. They want to be heard irrespective of where a firm is on its journey to define and reach ESG goals.

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High Notes and Low Notes:
Why Is Goal Setting So Hard?

Of all the design features of compensation, goal setting has the most significant impact on alignment. Striking the right chord between measures and goals is essential to motivate executives and be accretive to investors and other stakeholders. Farient Advisors’ experienced perspectives make striking that goal-setting chord less of a challenge.

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The Ultimate Movement: Transactions

Whether it’s a merger, acquisition, spin-off, pre- or post-IPO, or SPAC transaction, we’ve been there and done that. We understand how executive compensation, change-in-control provisions, and other dynamics can impact a transaction. And, in fast-paced transactions such as IPOs and SPACs no one wants the newly minted millionaires walking out the door.

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Pitch Perfect: Strategic Communications

Farient Advisors knows how to communicate the compensation governance narrative to our clients’ constituencies—including shareholders and other stakeholders, proxy advisors, and the press. Director and say on pay votes—and possibly soon, say on climate—are becoming de facto sounding boards for all-things ESG.

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