Notes:
- CEO Succession:Â This is the most critical responsibility of the board. It involves:
- Long-Term Planning:Â Identifying potential internal and external candidates years in advance.
- Crision Planning:Â Having a ready-to-go plan for unexpected CEO departure (illness, scandal, death).
- Development:Â Providing leadership development opportunities for internal candidates.
- Board Refreshment:Â Proactively planning for the retirement of directors to ensure the board does not become outdated. This involves updating the skills matrix and initiating the search process well before a director’s term ends.
- Emergency Succession:Â Protocols for immediate interim leadership if the CEO is suddenly unavailable. The Lead Independent Director often steps in temporarily.
- Alignment with Strategy:Â Succession plans must align with the company’s long-term strategic goals. If the strategy requires digital transformation, the next CEO should have relevant digital expertise.