Few decisions are more important for a board than choosing the right CEO to lead the business. The appointment of a CEO may be the culmination of a long-term succession planning process, or it may result from an unforeseen transition event. Whatever the scenario, the health of the organization and the way it is regarded by investors and other key stakeholders depends largely on the experience, track record and leadership qualities of the CEO.
CEOs are coming under ever-greater scrutiny from boards, shareholders, legislators and the media. The role is becoming increasingly complex, the burden of expectation is high, CEO tenure is getting shorter and top quality leadership talent is scarce. Identifying the right person to lead an organization requires knowledge, expertise and sound advice.
Spencer Stuart has extensive experience advising organizations on CEO recruitment and succession in many countries around the world. In the U.S., for example, we have handled over half of the CEO searches conducted externally for the country’s largest businesses.
Our CEO Practice comprises over 50 consultants, each of whom has in-depth industry and functional expertise—their knowledge of, relationships with, and access to the world’s top executives is unrivalled. They are expert advisers on the CEO selection process and able to offer candid and accurate assessments of the talent pool as it relates to clients’ unique leadership requirements.
Our consultants draw on their expertise to help guide boards through the process of developing forward-looking requirements for the future CEO, based on the company’s strategy, market conditions and the distinct challenges it is likely to face in the future.
This comprehensive knowledge of CEOs and CEO-ready talent also puts us in a position to benchmark internal candidates with best-in-class executives externally. When it is time for a CEO change, organizations look to us for our counsel on transitioning the new CEO into his or her new role.
Our CEO Practice works closely alongside our Board Services Practice, advising clients on succession planning and the effective identification, assessment, referencing and recruitment of future leaders.
Read more about our
CEO Succession Services.
Practice Leaders
Jim Citrin and Julie Hembrock Daum, North American Co-Leaders
Carolyn Eadie and Bertrand Richard, European Co-Leaders
John Mumm, Asia Pacific Leader