Paytm 22nd AGM: Vijay Shekhar Sharma reappointed as company's MD & CEO; remuneration fixed for 3 years without increment

With a resounding vote of confidence from shareholders, Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been reappointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paytm. He received 99.67% of majority votes in favour of the resolution in its 22nd Annual General Meeting, the first as a public listed company. As a Rs 18,300 crore public offer, the fintech company was listed on the bourses in November last year.  

"The company’s shareholders have voted with 99.67% majority in favour of Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s reappointment as the Managing Director for five more years, designated as “Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer” of the company," said the company in a statement. 

Each of the seven resolutions have been duly passed with over 94% of votes cast in their favour, it said. 

"The resounding votes of almost 100% in favour of his (Vijay Shekhar Sharma) reappointment reflects investors’ faith in the company’s leadership and also shows that they remain confident about the company’s growth and profitability target," said the company.  

Meanwhile, the resolution for Sharma’s remuneration received 94.48% votes in his favour. His remuneration is fixed for the next three years without any annual increment, unlike the policy/practice applicable to all other employees of the company.  

Earlier, in his letter to shareholders dated April 6, 2022, Sharma had said that his ESOPs will vest only when the market cap crosses the IPO level on a sustained basis.  

The ESOPs were already approved by the shareholders in compliance with applicable laws and with all necessary approvals before the IPO was looked at. 

During the AGM, the shareholders also duly passed the resolutions for reappointment of Ravi Chandra Adusumalli to the Board, appointment of Madhur Deora as Whole-time Director designated as Executive Director, President and Group Chief Financial Officer of the company along with his remuneration, and approval of contribution to Charitable and other Funds and the receipt, consideration and adoption of the Audited Standalone and Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2022. Mr. Deora’s appointment received 99.82% votes in favour, while the resolution for his remuneration received 94.53% votes in favour. Deora joined the company in 2016 and has played a vital role in getting marquee investors on board and shaping the company’s growth plans. 

Paytm spokesperson said, “We are thankful to our shareholders for their unwavering support and faith in our leadership. We remain committed to building a large, profitable company and creating long-term shareholder value, while driving financial inclusion in the country.” 

Under Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s leadership, Paytm has established itself as the pioneer of QR payments, the market leader in digital payments, constantly innovated in payments and digital financial services. In a letter to shareholders dated April 6, 2022, Mr. Sharma, encouraged by the company’s business momentum, scale of monetization and operating leverage, had said Paytm should be operating EBITDA breakeven in the next 6 quarters (i.e. EBITDA before ESOP cost, and by the quarter ending September 2023). 

Earlier in May 2022, OCL’s Board of Directors had approved the re-appointment of Vijay Shekhar Sharma as Managing Director. 

Additionally, SEBI, in February 2022, had made it voluntary for India Inc. to have a separate Chairperson and Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer. In most Nifty 50 companies, the Managing Director is appointed on a non-rotational basis. 

Ahead of the AGM, Paytm stock ended with nearly two per cent cut to Rs 786.45 per share on the BSE. At IPO price of Rs 2150 apeice, the counter is trading at a little over 63% discount on the BSE on Friday.