Wizpresso is thrilled to support the Hong Kong Independent Non-Executive Directors Association (HKiNEDA)’s latest annual survey on Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs). Leveraging our comprehensive HKEX annual report database and advanced AI agents, Wizpresso enabled the research team to efficiently extract directors’ information from over 2,300 listed companies, powering key insights into Hong Kong’s corporate governance landscape.
The survey, released via HKiNEDA’s press conference on February 11, 2026, uncovers critical trends in INED remuneration, demographics, and board composition based on 2024 annual reports from more than 2,600 companies.
Key Findings
- In 2024, the average annual remuneration of independent non-executive directors (INEDs) at Main Board-listed companies in Hong Kong was HKD 269,697, with a median of HKD 212,020. For Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) companies, the average was HKD 132,976—about half that of Main Board companies.
- Large-cap companies with a market capitalization exceeding HKD 50 billion pay nearly three times more than micro-cap firms valued below HKD 2 billion.
- Pay levels also vary significantly across industries. The financial services sector leads with an average remuneration of HKD 339,832, about 60% higher than the IT sector’s HKD 213,890.
- The five highest-paid INEDs earned between HKD 2.92 million and HKD 12.97 million annually—the top figure being roughly 50 times the overall average. In contrast, the lowest-paid INED earned only RMB 6,000 (about HKD 6,361), and the next five lowest were all at or below HKD 12,000. The pay gap between the highest and lowest INEDs was around 2,040 times.
- The average age of INEDs in 2024 was 57.95 years, down 1.28 years from 2023, indicating a clear trend toward younger boards. The oldest INED was 94 years old, and the youngest 25.
- The median and average proportion of INEDs on boards were 42.86% and 44.97%, respectively—above the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s minimum requirement of 33%, yet still below the roughly 50% standard common in mature capital markets.
- Female representation remains low: women comprised about 19.3% of all board members and 9.4% of all INEDs. Notably, 1,028 listed companies had an all-male roster of independent directors.
Wizpresso extends heartfelt thanks to HKiNEDA for this collaboration opportunity. Our capital markets database and compliance engine continue to drive efficiency in GRC for listed firms across Asia-Pacific.
Read the full press release here: https://www.hkineda.com/a/148254-cht.
For more on how Wizpresso supports compliance and governance, visit wizpresso.com.