Many CEOs from within AEX companies, few women in the top job

When seeking a new CEO, companies listed on the AEX index in the Netherlands predominantly look within their own ranks. A recent study by Heidrick & Struggles found that 80% of CEOs are internally appointed, a figure that has risen from 25% three years prior. This internal promotion trend means CEOs typically spend about nine years with a company before taking the top job, longer than in many other European countries like Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Norway, and Poland, where the average is around seven years.

In terms of leadership longevity, CEOs in Ireland hold the top spot, averaging eleven years in power. In the Netherlands, the average tenure is seven years, although this figure is influenced by long-serving leaders like Jos Baeten of ASR (21 years) and Nancy McKinstry of Wolters Kluwer (23 years), both of whom recently stepped down.

Regarding gender diversity at the highest level, the Netherlands was average for Europe at the time of the study's data collection (January 5), with 8% of AEX companies (two out of 25) led by women. These were Marguerite Bérard of ABN Amro and Nancy McKinstry. However, subsequent changes, including the internal appointment of Stacey Caywood at Wolters Kluwer and Ingrid de Swart at ASR, could increase the proportion of female CEOs to 12%, placing the Netherlands just below Denmark's European leading 13%. Singapore leads globally with 18% female CEOs.

Furthermore, the study highlights that half of the CEOs at Dutch AEX companies are foreign nationals, a figure surpassed only by Switzerland (62%). This contrasts with Belgium (29%) and France (18%). The presence of non-Dutch CEOs like Bérard and Caywood reflects this trend.