Investors and industry groups have become increasingly vocal in their opposition to big pay deals for executives since the global financial crisis began.

BP saw more than a third of its investors vote against its executive pay plan in 2009, up from 12% the previous year, a Reuters report said.

The supermajor's annual report, released last month, showed chief executive Tony Haywood saw his total pay increase by 41% in 2009, even though profits at the company dropped by 45%.

"Pirc considers that combined remuneration was excessive in the year under review (2009) and is also concerned regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the performance conditions attached to the Executive Directors Incentive Plan (EDIP)," Pirc said in a report released today.

The corporate governance body also said the fact that BP's remuneration committee can override the results of one quantified performance condition in the EDIP was contrary to best practice.

In February, Shell said that it would overhaul pay practices for top management, including freezing pay for chief executive Peter Voser, after a shareholder revolt.

The majority of investors in troubled bank Royal Bank of Scotland, housebuilder Bellway and Provident Financial opposed pay plans in 2009, while residential landlord Grainger lost a shareholder vote on executive pay earlier this year.

Richard Lambert, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, warned in a lecture last month that growing pay packages meant leaders of big companies risked appearing to inhabit a different galaxy and being "treated as aliens".

The vote on BP's remuneration report will take place at the company's annual general meeting on 15 April.

Published: 07 April 2010 13:45 GMT | Last updated: 07 April 2010 13:45 GMT