This article was originally published by the CFO Dive.
The piece explores how the recent rise in CFO‑to‑CEO promotions — which reached their highest level in a decade — may begin to slow as the economic environment improves. In periods of uncertainty, companies often elevate CFOs to the CEO role due to their financial discipline and deep familiarity with the organization’s numbers and risk profile. However, as growth conditions return, boards may once again prioritize leaders with more expansion‑oriented backgrounds.
Craig Stevens, Managing Partner and Advisory Council Chair of CEO & Board Services at Boyden, explains that CFOs are most likely to ascend to CEO roles during times when expense control, stability, and capital management are paramount. He notes that in a more optimistic economic cycle, the skill set required for top leadership shifts, potentially narrowing the CFO‑to‑CEO pipeline.
You can find the full article here.
