Matthew W. Emmens played a key role at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, becoming President and CEO in 2009. His style was all about performance. For instance, in 2011, he earned over $5 million, with most of it tied to performance bonuses, emphasizing...

Matthew W. Emmens played a key role at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, becoming President and CEO in 2009. His style was all about performance. For instance, in 2011, he earned over $5 million, with most of it tied to performance bonuses, emphasizing his focus on results. However, things changed when he didn’t receive any stock or options in 2010, opting for a cash-only strategy instead. By 2012, he transitioned out of the CEO role, with his compensation dropping to around $699,181. Interestingly, he held over $101 million worth of Vertex shares in 2024, showcasing his commitment to the company. After stepping down as CEO, he became Executive Chairman for a brief time before retiring. Emmens has a background that includes leadership positions at Astra Merck and Shire, adding significant experience to his role at Vertex. His career shows a strong alignment between executive pay and shareholder value, making strategic decisions that shape the company’s direction.

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1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEOs

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Matthew W. Emmens

Ex-CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals for

2 years 8 months (May 2009 - Feb 2012)

Previous Experience

CEO of Astra Merck, Inc., and of Shire plc

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Matthew W. Emmens

Holdings

See how much did Matthew W. Emmens make over time.

As of 2024, Matthew W. Emmens holds more than $101 million in Vertex Pharmaceuticals shares, indicating a strong personal investment in the company. His holdings peaked significantly during his tenure as CEO, especially when he earned over $5 million in...

As of 2024, Matthew W. Emmens holds more than $101 million in Vertex Pharmaceuticals shares, indicating a strong personal investment in the company. His holdings peaked significantly during his tenure as CEO, especially when he earned over $5 million in 2011, largely due to performance bonuses. Notably, in 2010, he shifted focus away from stock options to emphasize cash compensation, which might have affected his wealth's composition. After his departure in 2012, his wealth remained heavily tied to Vertex shares, reflecting his long-term commitment. His insight and decisions during his leadership period directly influenced the company's share value.

Mar 18, 2025

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shares

VRTX @ $512.23

Total Stock Sold

$988.21K

VRTX

$988.21K

20,585 VRTX shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Matthew W. Emmens didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra VRTX20,585 shares worth $5.87M.
This is 493.59% and $4.88M more than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Matthew W. Emmens.

VRTX

$453.10K

VRTX at $41.76/share

Nov 16, 2011

Sale

VRTX

$472.01

VRTX at $0.01/share

Feb 2, 2012

Received

VRTX

$540.39K

VRTX at $55.51/share

May 25, 2011

Sale

VRTX

$2.08M

VRTX at $37.19/share

Feb 6, 2012

Sale

VRTX

$472.01

VRTX at $0.01/share

Feb 3, 2011

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Matthew W. Emmens make over time.

During his time at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Matthew W. Emmens experienced significant fluctuations in his compensation, emphasizing performance-driven pay. In 2009, his total compensation was around $2.8 million, which included a hefty cash bonus based on company performance. This figure escalated to over $5 million in 2011, driven by an impressive 150% performance bonus. However, in 2010, Emmens received no stock or options, opting for a cash-focused compensation structure, which saw his total compensation drop thereafter. By 2012, his final year as CEO, his compensation fell to about $699,181 as he transitioned out of the role. Notably, Emmens' compensation strategy was deeply aligned with Vertex’s performance, indicating a commitment to shareholder interests.

Year

2012

Total Compensation

$497.18K

Salary

$467.51K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract and motivate talented and experienced individuals, aligning their interests with those of shareholders.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Mr. Emmens was not eligible for an annual cash bonus for 2012 performance.

Other

$29.67K

Board Justification

This includes board compensation received after his retirement from employment in May 2012.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 Restricted Stock)

Board Justification

Mr. Emmens did not receive any stock grants that vested in 2012.

Performance Metrics

The company's performance rating for 2012 was 'leading', with a score of 90% against its goals.

Other Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Joshua S. Boger

Ex-CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals

May 2005 - May 2009

Jeffrey M. Leiden

Ex-CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals

February 2012 - March 2020