Route to the Top 2026: Interactive data dashboard

Route to the Top 2026: Interactive data dashboard

Explore our data on sitting CEOs at the largest companies in 28 markets around the world.
April 22, 2026
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Introduction

Heidrick & Struggles’ annual Route to the Top series is a long-standing study of trends in CEO profiles in markets around the world.

In this interactive presentation of data on sitting CEOs as of January 2026, we have split the data into three categories: timelines, personal background, and career experience.

Timelines

These five charts describe the total number of CEOs, the share of new CEOs appointed in 2025, the average number of years to CEO appointment, the share of CEOs of each appointment type, and the average number of years in the CEO role. Navigate between the charts by clicking on the tabs below.

Number of CEOs
Share of new appointments
Time to appointment
Appointment type
Tenure in role

Personal background

These seven charts include information on CEOs’ gender, nationality, average age at appointment, average age now, the share of CEOs under age 45, CEOs’ education levels, and the share of CEOs with an MBA. Navigate between the charts by clicking on the tabs below.

Gender
Nationality
Average age at appointment
Average age now
Share under 45
Education
MBA

Career experience

These three charts describe CEOs’ previously held CXO titles throughout their career, cross-border experience throughout their career, and cross-sector experience in their previous two roles. Navigate between the charts by clicking on the tabs below.

CXO title
Cross-border experience
Cross-sector experience

About the research

This year’s Route to the Top interactive dashboard draws on an analysis of the profiles of the 1,664 CEOs at the largest companies in 28 markets. The data reflects sitting CEOs as of January 5, 2026. 

Australia (ASX 100), Belgium (BEL 20), Brazil (BOVESPA), Canada (TSX 60), Colombia (COLCAP), 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), New Zealand (NZSX 10), Norway (OBX), Poland (WIG 20), 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 500) are included in this report.

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