The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition an influential proxy adviser is backing Barrick Gold's new executive compensation scheme, but still voiced concerns about incoming chairman John Thornton's pay. The Globe's Rachelle Younglai writes the positive recommendation from ISS comes after Barrick overhauled its compensation plans amid shareholder anger over Mr. Thornton's $11.9-million (U.S.) signing bonus in 2012. Last year, shareholders rejected Mr. Thornton's pay package and accused directors of not doing their job. The shareholder backlash triggered the gold miner to embark on a year-long mission to improve its governance image. Peter Munk, along with two of the company's longer-serving directors, will not stand for re-election. Barrick also cut pay packages for Mr. Thornton, Mr. Munk and Barrick's chief executive officer Jamie Sokalsky. However, the proxy firm said it still had concerns about Mr. Thornton's pay arrangement, which is not tied to specific performance metrics like the rest of Barrick's management. Mr. Thornton will be evaluated on more subjective criteria such as maintaining relationships with governments and developing "strategic alternatives" for Barrick's growth.