Chairman Roberto Quarta had said that he accepted that some would find Sorrell's share scheme unsatisfactory, but it pre-dated the current board. Sorrell left the company with his long-term share scheme in place.

Nearly 17 percent of shareholder votes failed to back Quarta's re-election as chairman.

(Reporting by Kate Holton, writing by Alistair Smout; editing by Jason Neely)