Route to the Top 2022 Collection

Route to the Top 2022 Collection

Route to the Top 2022 Collection
This global CEO report tracks and analyzes trends of newly appointed CEOs.

Key Findings

About the research

This year’s Route to the Top draws on an analysis of the profiles of the 1,169 CEOs at the largest companies in 25 markets. Australia and New Zealand (ASX 100 & NZSX 10), Belgium (BEL 20), Brazil (B3), Canada (TSX 60), Denmark (OMX Copenhagen 25), Finland (OMX Helsinki 25), France (CAC 40), Germany (DAX & MDAX), Hong Kong (Hang Seng), Ireland (ISEQ Overall), Italy (FTSE MIB), Kenya (NSE Top 40), Mexico (BMV), the Netherlands (AEX), Norway (OBX), Portugal (PSI 20), Saudi Arabia (Tadawul), Singapore (STI 30), South Africa (JSE Top 40), Spain (IBEX 35), Sweden (OMX Stockholm 30), Switzerland (SMI Expanded), the United Arab Emirates (ADX & DFM), the United Kingdom (FTSE 100), and the United States (Fortune 100) are included in this report.

The data reflects the CEOs as of August 14, 2022. The date of analysis is September 10, 2022.

Route to the Top 2022

Key highlights

Incoming CEO statistics

This group of incoming CEOs included the highest share of first-time CEOs in three years, suggesting that boards may be more open to taking a risk for the right experience.

 
69%
2022
 
48%
2021
 
50%
2020

Explore interactive market and sector snapshots, and comparative dashboards.

Route to the Top 2022
Read the full report

CEO interviews

Our CEO conversations explore a wide range of opportunities, challenges, and experiences that are shaping the evolving role of the CEO around the world.

Route to the Top prior year reports

Chief Executive Officer

Route to the Top 2021

In our latest Route to the Top, Heidrick & Struggles’ annual demographic study of chief executives, we found that companies are returning to a more expansive view of CEO succession as the upheaval of COVID-19 subsides.
Heidrick & Struggles
Chief Executive Officer

Route to the Top 2020

In our latest Route to the Top, Heidrick & Struggles’ annual demographic study of chief executives, we examined how COVID-19 has—and hasn’t—changed what companies are looking for in CEOs.
Heidrick & Struggles
Chief Executive Officer

Route to the Top 2019

The role of the CEO is changing, and so are the skills and competencies being sought, according to our findings on newly appointed CEOs across 16 countries.
Heidrick & Struggles
Chief Executive Officer

Route to the Top 2018

The destination may be the same, but research suggests that the path to the corner office varies across 12 Western European countries and the United States.
Heidrick & Struggles
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Key Findings
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Interactive Data
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CEO Interviews
Meet the key contacts for Route to the Top
Alice Breeden
Co-Regional Managing Partner, Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa, CEO & Board of Directors Practice
Sylvain Dhenin
Co-Regional Managing Partner, Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa, CEO & Board of Directors Practice
Guy Farrow
Regional Managing Partner, Asia Pacific & Middle East, CEO & Board of Directors Practice
Bonnie W. Gwin
Global Managing Partner, CEO & Board of Directors Practice
Jeffrey S. Sanders
Global Managing Partner, CEO & Board of Directors Practice
Lyndon A. Taylor
Regional Managing Partner, Americas, CEO & Board of Directors Practice

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