Home / Business and Economy / India's CXO Roles: Outsiders Take 83%!
India's CXO Roles: Outsiders Take 83%!
4 Nov
Summary
- 82.6% of C-suite roles in India go to external hires.
- Average CEO has only 1.11 other chiefs at the table.
- Women hold only 9.6% of C-suite positions in India.
A recent study by CIEL HR, analyzing over 630,000 leaders, found that a striking 82.6% of C-suite positions in India are filled by external hires. This indicates a significant deficit in internal promotion pathways within the country's top companies.
The report also highlights that CXO roles rarely become available, with many held for a decade or more. Consequently, only a small number of vice presidents find opportunities for advancement, facing intense competition for each opening.
Internal succession planning appears weak, as most CEOs have fewer than two other senior executives on their team for potential promotion. A large majority of these CEOs are also first-time occupants of their roles and were hired externally.
Geographically, six major cities dominate senior leadership roles, accounting for 94% of CXO titles. While women constitute a significant portion of the broader leadership pool, their representation sharply declines in the C-suite, holding only 9.6% of these positions.
Interestingly, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) show a different trend, with higher internal promotion rates and greater female representation in leadership compared to traditional Indian enterprises. This suggests alternative organizational structures could foster better talent development.
