Park Square, Ernst & Young And WilmerHale Release 14th Annual Tech And Life Sciences Compensation And Entrepreneurship Study

Salaries and Bonuses Rise Faster at Life Sciences and Healthcare Firms than at Technology Firms in 2013

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Oct 15, 2013, 10:51 ET

BOSTON, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to an executive compensation study of private businesses released today, non-founder C-suite executives at life sciences and healthcare companies saw their cash compensation increase by 3 percent year-over-year, while comparable executives at private technology firms experienced an average increase of 1.6 percent.

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The CompStudy, now in its 14^th year, also revealed compensation levels and trends about specific functional roles. In terms of target bonuses, non-founder CEOs at private technology companies surveyed saw 4.4 percent lower target bonuses in 2013 than in 2012, with the average dropping to $131,000. The 1.6 percent increase in average CEO pay was attributable to the bump in their base salaries from $250,000 in 2012 to $259,000 in 2013. CEOs at private life sciences firms surveyed experienced a 2.5 percent increase in target bonuses and a 1 percent increase in base salaries, bringing their average bonus and base up to $124,000 and $306,000, respectively.

On prior-year bonus attainment, life sciences non-founder CEOs also fared better than their technology counterparts. Life sciences CEOs received, on average, 71.9 percent of their at-plan cash bonus. Technology non-founder CEOs received 60.1 percent of their comparable target.

The CompStudy is produced by Park Square Executive Search in collaboration with Professor Noam Wasserman of the Harvard Business School, and is sponsored by Ernst & Young, LLP and WilmerHale. The 2013 CompStudy survey includes over 800 private companies and includes data on more than 4,000 executives.

"Over the past year, we have seen an increase in target cash compensation of approximately 3% among CXOs at private life sciences companies. This growth continues to build on the compensation recovery that started last year, after we saw the lowest growth in CompStudy history during the recent economic downturn. This year, M&A activity is up, the IPO window is open, good companies are still getting funded, and the war for talent appears to be alive and well," said Erik Lundh, Managing Partner, Park Square Executive Search.

"Acquiring strong talent is a critical factor in the successful expansion of a high-growth company," said Bryan Pearce, Americas Director, Entrepreneur Of The Year® and Venture Capital Advisory Group for EY. "The competition for talent that is capable of scaling a company continues to place an upward pressure on compensation."

The study is the most comprehensive survey of executive compensation among privately-held, emerging technology and life sciences companies and the first to make this information readily available. The results are used as an authoritative guide by venture capital firms and their portfolio companies to make critical decisions regarding attracting, rewarding and retaining key talent.

"As we head into the end of 2013, boards will be making decisions about 2013 annual bonuses, as well as establishing 2014 budgets for compensation and equity. The CompStudy data would be a powerful guide in that decision making process, ensuring boards that their compensation levels remain competitive as the market for talent heats up," said Kimberly Wethly, Partner, WilmerHale.

Study results are available at www.compstudy.com and will be explained in detail today during two separate technology- and life sciences-focused webcasts. The webcasts, led by senior practitioners at Park Square, EY and WilmerHale, will discuss how life sciences and technology companies have reacted to the state of the economy and what the future might hold for these VC-backed companies. Click here to register.

Methodology

More than 800 privately-held, emerging technology and life sciences companies throughout the United States took part in the survey, which delved into the compensation, bonus and equity packages of top executive positions, including Chief Executive Officer, President/Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The data was analyzed in aggregate with detailed views by position looking at: industry vertical, product stage, revenue, headcount, geography, founder status and financing stage. More than 85 percent of the surveyed companies have fewer than 75 employees.

Park Square Executive Search

Park Square Executive Search is a retainer-based executive search firm located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in Menlo Park, California. Park Square serves clients and institutions that are changing the world through discovery, innovation, and growth. More information about the firm can be found at http://www.parksquaresearch.com.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

WilmerHale provides legal representation across a comprehensive range of practice areas that are critical to the success of its clients. The law firm's leading Intellectual Property, Litigation/Controversy, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Securities, and Corporate and Transactional Departments participate in some of the highest-profile legal and policy matters. With a staunch commitment to public service, the firm is renowned as a leader in pro bono representation. WilmerHale is 1,000 lawyers strong with 14 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.wilmerhale.com.

SOURCE EY