Amazon, run by the world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos, faces calls from shareholders for the introduction of an independent chairman.
According to reports, a resolution calling for an independent chairman has been filed ahead of the company’s AGM on 30 May.
The shareholder representatives and consumer campaigners SumOfUs has called the internet giant to separate the roles of chief executive and chairman currently held by Bezos.
According to ValueWalk.com, proxy advisers Glass Lewis has previously backed demands for the separation of the top jobs.
ValueWalk quotes Lisa Lindsley, capital markets advisor for SumOfUs, saying that the same person holding both the CEO and chairman positions is a conflict of interest.
She said: “An independent board chair is a necessary first step to put Amazon’s board on the path to effective representation of the interests of all shareholders.”
In April, Amazon reported quarterly revenues of $51.01bn, with profits of $1.63bn—way ahead of analysts’ expectations.