We advise Boards and CEOs on how to implement best practices across all stages of the CEO succession cycle. We bring to the process a high level of objectivity, rigor, and a research-grounded approach based on thousands of CEO and C-suite assessments and hundreds of CEO transitions. Our clients value the partnership of our succession experts in de-risking and navigating through the unique set of circumstances of a CEO transition.
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We invite you to learn about some of the real work we’ve done with select clients.
CEO Succession
Long-term partnership in CEO succession for major pharmaceutical firm
Situation & challenge
- Our client was a multinational pharmaceutical company planning ahead for the next CEO transition
- The Chairman and CEO initiated the process 5 years before the actual event with appropriate Board engagement
- They sought support in defining the future CEO profile and assessing potential candidates to groom as successors
- ghSMART engaged with the client long-term, from planning to execution
Scope of work
- ghSMART partnered with the CEO, CHRO and Board to drive a disciplined succession process with continuous stakeholder engagement
- We co-created a strategic, future-oriented CEO profile
- Against this profile, we assessed 4 internal candidates for targeted development with SmartAssessments®
- We created tailored development plans for those candidates with CEO potential
- As the field narrowed, we provided executive coaching to accelerate readiness of the lead candidate
- In the final stage, we supported the new CEO for a successful launch
Impact and results
- The new CEO was set up for success and able to successfully undertake bold initiatives in year one
- The assessment and development work allowed an objective perspective, opening up the process to previously overlooked candidates
- The overall process was transparent, data-driven, and engaged the stakeholders effectively, ensuring a smooth succession
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