BAE chief 'set for merger windfall'

The boss of defence giant BAE Systems stands to make £18m (€22.5m) almost overnight if the firm’s controversial merger with Airbus aircraft manufacturer EADS goes ahead, it has been reported.

Chief executive Ian King has accumulated lucrative share options which would usually take years to mature, but, if the £30bn (€37.4bn) merger goes through, he would be paid a giant windfall straight away, according to the Daily Mail.