Darroch could net over £6m in Sky takeover

BSkyB’s CEO Jeremy Darroch is set for a £6.6m (€8m) windfall if the pay-TV operator is acquired by News Corporation for 800p per share.

Darroch was given a 15% pay rise to £2.68m last year and has more than trebled his shareholding in Sky over the past 15 months. He has increased his shareholding to 230,046 shares, compared with 60,000 last summer.

According to the company’s annual report, filed yesterday, Darroch had 170,379 shares at the end of July and he has since purchased a further 59,667. He also holds 600,000 long-term incentive plan shares.

Sky’s directors look likely to accept News Corp’s proposed takeover if it offers in excess of 800p per share. The operator rejected an offer of 700p per share for the remaining 61% it does not already own. A takeover at that price would value Sky at more than £12bn.