The role of a company non-executive director is changing beyond recognition due to the increasing work pressures caused by corporate governance.

A survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers said half of all company secretaries felt a non-executive director's workload had increased significantly in the past three to five years.

One in four believed the workload had shot up by 50 per cent over the same period, yet the survey showed that wage packets had, in most cases, stayed the same, with the average annual fee at £25,000.

PricewaterhouseCoopers said it was clear higher levels of public scrutiny, demanded after the recent spate of 'Fat Cat' scandals, had led to an increasingly onerous policing and monitoring role for non-executives. It warned that companies had to recognise the change or risk losing "their dynamism".

Ann Cottis, a partner at the accountant's, Global HR Solutions practice, said: "The dynamics of the boardroom are constantly changing and this is reflected in the onerous expectations placed upon our non-executive directors.

"The role of the non-executive director is no longer restricted to ensuring a company is pursuing the correct strategy and has the right leadership and remuneration policies in place."