Tesco shareholders voiced anger during their annual meeting on Friday. It is expected in this economy that they won’t be the last to face a less than welcoming crowd when facing shareholders. Tesco has one of the most expensive director’s packages of any UK based company. In 2009 the directors received £32 million.

Much of the shareholders anger was directed at Tim Mason. Mason runs the Fresh and Easy stores in the US. As Tesco’s second highest payroll entry, he earned £7 million despite the chain’s operating loss. Alan Diamond, a shareholder for 40 years, was one of those who criticized awarding a bonus payout to Mason when the business lost £168.

Tesco also pays a hefty budget for celebrity endorsements from footballers and BBC personalities. A large percentage of the shareholders voted against the advertising pay scheme for the company.

Another grievance of shareholders included the payout amount in a £15 million package to seduce the new President Marc Bolland from Morrisons.

Four of every ten shareholders voted against the Tesco pay policy, with a vote against of 47 per cent. Tesco runs 4800 plus stores in 14 countries.

With the public sector being hit with major budget cuts, private sectors struggling, individual shareholders of companies are going to be more vocal about pay schemes, including bonus packages for directors.

"Pay for senior people is a hot topic at the moment and a number of companies have faced similar votes. Clearly some shareholders are concerned about certain aspects of our pay structures and we will listen to that and engage with those shareholders going forward," said a Tesco spokesman. David Reid, Tesco Chairman, is expected to meet with major shareholders to discuss any grievances.