Route to The Top 2022

Interactive Dashboard: Explore the report data by market & sector

How Are Today’s CEOs Getting to the Top—And What’s Changing?
Download Route to the Top 2022 to explore how the path to CEO is evolving across the world’s leading companies. Based on analysis of 1,169 CEOs across 25 global markets, this Heidrick & Struggles report reveals how boards are rethinking leadership—placing more value on first-time CEOs, internal succession, and diverse backgrounds.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Five distinct career “on-ramps” that lead to the CEO role

  • A rise in first-time CEO appointments—up to 69%—signaling a shift in board risk tolerance

  • Trends in internal promotions, C-suite experience, age, and gender diversity

  • How global volatility is reshaping the expectations and demands of the CEO role

Download the report to uncover the data, insights, and implications for your next CEO succession.

Instant access to our interactive dashboard

By clicking submit, I agree to receive thought leadership, event information, and consultant outreach from Heidrick & Struggles to the email address provided. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. I also agree to allow Heidrick & Struggles to use my email address to share with specific social media and search engines for targeted advertising. Review Heidrick & Struggles Privacy Policy here.