Salary levels for non-executives have slowed down for the second year in a row.

A PwC study In the wake of the credit crunch shareholders are taking a tougher stance on the role of directors' and how they should be rewarded according to a study published today.

In 2005-06 fees rose by 25% and slowed to 16.7% from 2006-2007. This year the fees have risen by just 15.6% the Financial Times reported.

Sean O'Hare, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers which conducted the annual review, said: 'As fee increases become more moderate we can expect more focus by shareholders on the disclosure of non-executive directors’ effectiveness rather than just what they earn.'

The pay rises might be falling, but the work load is increasing. According to the paper, Non-Executive director practice and fees, the average time spent by a non-executive director on a company has risen from 15 days to 21 days.

'The rate of fee increase is leveling off as non-executive directors and the boards that employ them are working harder to balance fees with responsibilities that come with the role, O'Hare added.

Further reading:

Groups rein in non-execs’ pay rises

ICAEW fellow appointed non-exec director of Cheapflights

Tenon appoints new non-exec