Three non-executive directors, each with more than 20 years on the board, were all re-elected at John Menzies yesterday.

Three non-executive directors, each with more than 20 years on the board, were all re-elected at John Menzies yesterday.

William Thomson, chairman, and Ian Harrison, both on the board in 1987, and Dermot Jenkinson, there since 1986, all survived to fight another year.

However, there was a substantial shareholder protest against Harrison and Jenkinson, with more than 3.9 million votes against and more than 2.7 million votes withheld, some 20% of the total cast.

There was a still bigger protest vote against the remuneration report which, as The Herald reported last month, details a special one-year incentive plan for its executives this year, in response to what it calls a "unique set of circumstances and extra responsibility" following its reorganisation.

The new plan, which also benefits the directors of its divisional operating boards, is "designed to promote retention and stability during a period of change", with payments made in 2009 based on 2008 performance, according to the group's annual report. The maximum pay-out will be £250,000.

The report prompted 4.9 million votes to be withheld and 4.6 million votes against, some 28% of the votes cast.

All the resolutions were approved without demur at the company's traditionally cosy annual meeting in Edinburgh yesterday.

The Edinburgh-based group revealed that its Menzies Digital venture has this week launched a website selling digital copies of leading consumer and trade publications, allowing customers to download magazines.

Ellis Watson, director of Menzies Distribution, commented later: "It's a hugely innovative venture which will either be unbelievably successful - or we will close it down in a year."

Craig Smyth, director of the aviation division, said this year's entry into South Africa had produced better early results than expected, while the recent entry into the controlled Indian market could be a key to future growth.

Smyth said: "India could be the size of our whole aviation business in four to five years' time, if we keep winning licences."