Feigen Advisors New CEO Report Finds "Stability Reigns” in C-Suites of America's Largest Companies, Despite Market Turbulence

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 5, 2026--

Feigen Advisors, the leading advisory company for CEOs of large global enterprises, today published its 12 th annual Feigen Advisors New CEO Report. Based on data over the last 10 years, the report finds that America’s largest public companies continue to demonstrate remarkable stability among their Chief Executive Officers.

Introducing the report, Marc Feigen, Founder and CEO, and Anton Wärendh, Partner and COO, write:

“We are pleased to share our annual New CEO Report, providing insightful data on CEO successions at our largest companies over the past ten years. The report also profiles the 27 new Chief Executives appointed in 2025 to lead companies in the top half of the S&P 500.

While some sound an alarm that CEO turnover is skyrocketing—that is not true in our largest companies. There, stability reigns. In the S&P 250, the number of new CEOs appointed each year has held steady, averaging just under 30 annually.

In a period marked by uncertainty, disruption, and increased stakeholder activism, boards are continuing to prioritize deep institutional knowledge, proven leadership, and readiness; four out of five companies chose to promote from within. Many CEOs joined their organizations early in their careers, often before age 35, so for many large companies their next CEO—and likely the one after that—is already in the organization today. And while women CEOs continue to be under-represented, on a rolling 3-year average, companies have been increasingly choosing women CEOs since 2020.

The 27 CEOs profiled in this report lead companies with $1.3 trillion in combined revenue and 1.7 million employees worldwide. Their decisions will shape industries, communities, and markets for years to come. Their mandate is demanding; their opportunity significant. We wish each of these leaders—and the boards and teams that support them—clarity, resilience, and success as they take on the challenges and responsibilities of the unique role of the Chief Executive.”

Highlights from 10 years of data for the S&P 250 in this year’s report include:

• The number of new CEOs has been stable, averaging 28 per year
• The proportion of female new CEOs is trending upwards
• 82% of new CEOs were promoted from within
• Insider new CEOs averaged nearly two decades at their company before becoming CEO
• 65% of new CEOs were business unit leaders, CFOs or CEOs (at another company) before becoming CEO

The full Feigen Advisors New CEO Report, including data on the 27 new CEOs in the S&P 250 from 2025, is at https://feigenadvisors.com/research-and-publications/research/.

About Feigen Advisors

Feigen Advisors serves CEOs of large global enterprises, advising on all aspects of value creation. The firm was founded in 2007, and Marc Feigen and his partners have worked one on one with approximately 50 leading CEOs over the years. The firm’s mission is to help drive company performance through CEO performance, and its clients have created remarkable performance for their companies. Learn more at https://feigenadvisors.com/.

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SOURCE: Feigen Advisors

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PUB: 03/05/2026 09:00 AM/DISC: 03/05/2026 09:00 AM

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