Leadership
Korn Ferry’s Annual Report on CEO Succession Planning Trends
Explore CEO succession planning insights, best practices, and emerging trends with data from across Europe and the Middle East.
Korn Ferry’s 2025 CEO Succession Study reveals a stark truth—many boards remain underprepared for CEO succession, despite it being among their most critical responsibilities.
Our report offers CEO succession planning insights that are essential for today’s governance leaders.
We looked at CEO succession planning data from the SBF 120 (France’s version of the S&P 120), plus a comparative analysis of 10 countries in Europe and the Middle East. The results, shared in the report, provide a comprehensive view of how companies are navigating leadership transitions today.
It’s a must-read for anyone tracking CEO succession in EMEA.
Key Findings From the Study Include:
- 50% of CEO successions were unplanned, up from 43% in 2023
- 33% of CEO appointments were interims, indicating a lack of board readiness for CEO succession
- 75% of new CEOs were promoted from within the organization
- No women were appointed as new CEOs among this cohort in 2024
Board readiness for CEO succession is more than a governance checkbox. It’s a strategic imperative.
This study highlights where organizations are falling short and what they can do to strengthen their approach.
Whether you’re a board director, governance professional, or leadership advisor, this report provides the critical insights you need to prepare for CEO transitions and build strong leadership pipelines.
Get the full 2025 CEO Succession Planning Report.
