The number of Europe’s largest listed firms facing investor opposition over their executive pay plans increased by nearly a quarter this year, with a noticeable surge in revolts at meetings in Spain, according to data from corporate governance consultants Georgeson. Among major companies in nine of Europe’s biggest stock markets, over 37% received more than 10% opposition to their future remuneration plans, representing a 23% increase in the number of firms facing pushback. Blue-chip names such as Britain’s InterContinental Hotels Group and Italian bank UniCredit were among those challenged, with less than 70% of investors backing their plans.