• ケイパビリティ
  • エクスパティーズ（専門性）
  • インサイト
  • ピープル
  • お問い合わせ
  • ja-JPja-JP
  • 戻る
  • Search
  • Succession
  • Performance
  • Accelerators
  • Transformation
  • Board
  • 戻る
  • 業界
  • ファンクション
  • 経営課題
  • 戻る
  • リーダーシップのトピックとトレンド
  • リーダーシップラボ
  • フラッグシップ・リサーチ
  • データと指標
  • ブックス
  • イベント＆ポッドキャスト
  • インサイト・ライブラリー
  • 戻る
  • コンサルタント
  • インパクト
  • 当社の歴史
  • ニュースルーム
  • 戻る
  • 連絡する
  • キャリアアップ
  • 私達と接続
  • 地元のオフィスを探す
  • 言語
  • ログイン

Global Chief Operating Officer Turnover Index

We share the latest Chief Operating Officer (COO) turnover data for listed companies globally. Updated each quarter, you’ll find the proportion of COO departures and appointments, as well as trend analysis by gender and tenure across internal and external hires.

COO Turnover Index - Russell Reynolds Associates

Teodor H1 Heading

Teodor H2 Heading

Spezia H3 Heading

Spezia Paragraph

Heading

Incoming
Outgoing
Index view
Industry view
Incoming COOs
Incoming COOs: Gender
Incoming COOs: Appointment
Incoming COOs: Experience

Select Index

Global (All Companies)   S&P 500   FTSE 100   ASX 200   CAC 40   EuroNext 100   FTSE 250   HANG SENG   Nikkei 225   S&P/TSX Composite   STI  
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data
Incoming COOs
Incoming COOs: Gender
Incoming COOs: Appointment
Incoming COOs: Experience

Select Industry

Global (All Companies)  Consumer   Financial Services   Healthcare  Industrial  Technology 
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data
Index view
Industry view
Outgoing COOs
Outgoing COOs: Gender
Outgoing COOs: Appointment
Outgoing COOs: Experience
Outgoing COOs: Tenure
Outgoing COOs: Retired/Board or New Role

Select Index

Global (All Companies)   S&P 500   FTSE 100   ASX 200   CAC 40   EuroNext 100   FTSE 250   HANG SENG   Nikkei 225   S&P/TSX Composite   STI  
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies)  S&P 500   FTSE 100   ASX 200   CAC 40   EuroNext 100   FTSE 250   HANG SENG   Nikkei 225   S&P/TSX Composite   STI  
Download data

Select Index

Global (All Companies) S&P 500 FTSE 100 ASX 200 CAC 40 EuroNext 100 FTSE 250 HANG SENG Nikkei 225 S&P/TSX Composite STI
Download data
Outgoing COOs
Outgoing COOs: Gender
Outgoing COOs: Appointment
Outgoing COOs: Experience
Outgoing COOs: Tenure
Outgoing COOs: Retired/Board or New Role

Select Industry

Global (All Companies)  Consumer   Financial Services   Healthcare  Industrial  Technology 
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

Select Industry

Global (All Companies)  Consumer   Financial Services   Healthcare   Industrial   Technology  
Download data

Select Industry

Global (All Companies) Consumer Financial Services Healthcare Industrial Technology
Download data

 

Global Chief Operating Officer Turnover Index: Key Findings Q1 2025

 

01

Chief Operating Officer (COO) turnover reaches six-year high

In 2024, 124 COOs departed their roles, up from 112 departures in 2023 and significantly above the six-year average of 101 departures.

 

The elevated turnover in 2024 signals the evolving nature of the COO. As operational challenges shift from supply chain disruptions to AI implementation and digital transformation, organizations are seeking more agile, creative leaders who can partner effectively across R&D, finance, and emerging technology functions.

 

Despite this increase in turnover in 2024, 24 COOs departed the role in Q1 2025 versus 35 in Q1 2024. It's expected that turnover will pick up again once organizations adjust to the global tariff changes introduced by the Trump administration.

 

 

02

COO tenure remains significantly shorter than other C-suite roles

In 2024, average COO tenure was 3.4 years, slightly above the six-year average of 3.2 years and up from the shortest tenure period of 2.8 years in 2020. However, this remains notably below the six-year average of other C-suite roles, with CEOs at 7.8 years, CFOs at 6.2 years, and CHROs at 6.1 years.

 

The FTSE 100 experienced a particularly sharp decline in tenure in 2024, dropping from 4.2 years in 2023 to 3.3 years.

 

This shorter tenure is likely due to the dual nature of the COO role. In many cases, the COO serves as a stepping stone to the CEO role—our route to the top research found that from Q1-Q4 2024, 22% of CEO hires were from the COO role. This was significantly higher in the S&P 500 at 33% and the S&P/TSX Composite at 45%.

 

 

03

Internal COO appointments signal sophisticated succession planning

Internal COO appointments rose slightly from 67.7% in 2023 to 68.5% in 2024. This trend looks set to remain high as Q1 2025 figures show that 81% of appointments were internal.

 

High internal COO appointments demonstrate increasingly sophisticated COO succession planning capabilities, with companies planning earlier and more strategically for these critical roles. However, the Q1-Q4 2024 figure remains below the six-year average of 73%, with internal COO hiring rates peaking during the Covid period.

 

While first-time COOs are still favored over experienced COOs, with the six-year average of first-time COO appointments being 78%, there has been a rise in the percentage of experienced COO appointments, increasing from 21% in 2023 to 26% in 2024. Organizations are increasingly opting for proven operational leaders to navigate current geopolitical and economic volatility.

 

 

04

Women COO appointments decline after 2023 spike

After reaching 19% in 2023, women COO appointments reverted to 13% in 2024, close to the six-year average of 14.2%. This decline underscores the ongoing pipeline challenges at the senior leadership level feeding into the COO role.

 

More positively, in Q1 2025, 21% of COOs were women appointments, compared to 9% in Q1 2024, which could be an early indicator that women COO appointments are on the rise once again.

What is COO turnover?

COO turnover refers to the rate at which COOs depart and are hired from their roles. It can be a helpful indicator of wider trends, including economic health and businesses’ risk appetites.

How has COO turnover changed for public companies?

COO turnover has fluctuated since 2019 for the companies listed on the 10 indices tracked in the COO Turnover Index, hitting a high in 2022, when 136 COOs were appointed globally. COO turnover remained high in 2024, with 130 COO appointments globally.

Why is COO turnover so high for public firms globally?

High COO turnover signals the evolving nature of the COO. As the operational landscape shifts, organizations are seeking more agile, creative COOs who can partner effectively across R&D, finance, and emerging technology functions.

How many COOs were appointed globally in 2024 at public companies?

There were 130 COO appointments globally in 2024 for the companies listed on the 10 indices tracked in the COO Turnover Index. This included:

  • 39 COO appointments in the S&P 500.
  • 25 COO appointments in ASX 200.
  • 7 COO appointments in the FTSE 100.

How many COOs of public companies stepped down in 2024?

There were 124 COO departures globally in 2024 for the companies listed on the 10 indices tracked in the COO Turnover Index. This included:

  • 44 COO departures in the S&P 500.
  • 21 COO departures in ASX 200.
  • 7 COO departures in the FTSE 100.

What is the proportion of women COO appointments at public firms in 2024?

Women remain largely underrepresented in the COO role across the world as per the COO Turnover Index. In 2024, women accounted for 17 of COO appointments globally (13% of all appointments), compared to 113 for men. However, there are regional nuances. In 2024:

  • 6 women COOs were appointed in the S&P 500, representing 15% of COO appointments.
  • 4 women COOs were appointed in the ASX 200, representing 16% of COO appointments.
  • 1 woman COO was appointed in the FTSE 100, representing 14% of COO appointments.

What proportion of new COOs of public companies were first-time COOs?

In 2024, 74% of 130 COO appointments were first-time COOs for the companies listed on the 10 indices tracked in the COO Turnover Index. They had never held a COO role at a public-listed company.

What’s the average tenure of COOs at publicly listed companies?

In 2024, the average tenure of COOs was 3.4 years.

Latest COO turnover insights

 

image-woman-and-teamwork-behind-940287820.jpg

Inside the Mind of the COO

Are you grooming a COO for the CEO role? Our research uncovers personality differences that should be reflected in their coaching and development plan.

image-business-meeting-2155192216.jpg

Future-Proofing the C-suite: Addressing the COO Succession Imperative

COO turnover is high, but many organizations lack succession plans. Our research outlines key actions to prioritize.

 

 

Global COO advisory leaders

Our COO leaders ensure we bring the full power of our one-firm approach to your greatest leadership challenges. That means we bring together the right team to meet your organization’s needs.

 

 

 

Register for quarterly updates
banner-business-man-680315913.jpg

Global CEO Turnover Index

Explore data from the world’s leading stock indices on how many listed company CEOs are leaving their posts each quarter.

Find out more