Head of British Cleaners Donates $169.5-Million

The chief executive officer of British cleaning-products conglomerate Reckitt Benckiser has transferred $169.5-million worth of shares to a charitable trust, according to the Telegraph.

The gift by Bart Becht, the company’s Dutch-born head, widens the spotlight on executive pay and philanthropy in Britain, where the leaders of several high-profile banks have recently refused or donated multimillion-dollar bonuses.

Mr. Becht was set to receive some $140-million in compensation in 2009.