There were more changes in FTSE 100 bosses than usual in 2023, but the top role still provides more security than that of a football league manager, research has revealed.
In total, 19 FTSE 100 chief executive officers were replaced last year, well above the post-2000 average of 13, but still behind the chaotic 2020, which saw 22 departures.
However, the company boards appear rather patient when these figures are compared to the 60 out of 92 football clubs which sacked their manager last year.
Football managers are at a club for an average of 1.5 years Source: Telegraph
“In 2023 it looks like shareholders and boardrooms showed more patience than football club executives and supporters, even if headline stock market indices struggled to perform and boardroom turnover was unusually high,” AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said.
Some notable FTSE 100 CEO changes include:
Vodafone (-18%: 2023 share price change)
Out: Nick Read
In: Margherita Della Valle
Rolls Royce (198%)
Out: Warren East
In: Tufan Erginbilgic
British American Tobacco (-30%)
Out: Jack Bowles
In: Tadeu Marroco
NatWest (-19%)
Out: Alison Rose
In: Paul Thwaite
BP (-3%)
Out: Bernard Looney
In: Murray Auchinloss (interim)
Unilever (8%)
Out: Alan Jope
In: Hein Schumacher
Same in 2024?
2024 could be another busy year for FTSE 100 boardrooms, with seven CEO changes having already been announced.
These changes include companies like BT, Unite and Melrose.
With BP yet to decide whether to give Auchinloss the permanent job and the FTSE 100 controversy never too far away, it is very likely more exits are due.
Bernard Looney resigned after failing to fully detail relationships with colleagues Source: The Guardian
Following these switch ups the average tenure for a FTSE 100 boss is now 65 months or a little less than five and a half years.
However, only 18 bosses have been in charge for over a decade and only three have been at the helm for over 20 years.
They are:
- Simon Wolfson at Next (Joined May 2001)
- Ian Page at Dechra Pharmaceuticals (November 2001)
- Tim Steiner at Ocado (January 2002)
However, Ian Page will be departing from this list as Dechra is set to be acquired by EQT for £4.5 billion later this month.