Companies

Novartis clings to chairman

Daniel Vasella, outgoing chairman of Novartis, has sparked controversy by agreeing to a SFr72m 'golden goodbye' from the Swiss pharmaceutical group. Mr Vasella will receive payments in exchange for not working for companies that compete with Novartis. Lex's Oliver Ralph and Vincent Boland discuss whether Mr Vasella did the right thing and what shareholders will make of the decision.