A review of appointments among Britain’s largest listed companies found that 47% of all externally appointed CEOs are candidates from overseas.
The number of UK nationals leading FTSE 100 companies has slipped to 61 from 65, a year ago, according to the study from Robert Half.
Charlie Grubb, UK managing director of Robert Half Executive Search, said: “Globalisation is blurring geographic lines for mega-companies in the UK and abroad, and businesses with a global outlook will be tomorrow’s dominant players.
“Even in times of economic uncertainty and change, the UK’s largest listed companies can only benefit from an inclusive, broad-minded and global approach to problem solving. It is positive to see that this approach is also being addressed through succession planning.”
The number of FTSE 100 CEOs with a financial background has fallen from 55% in 2016 to 40% now.
The number of CEOs with a “tech” background stands at 11%, much the same as it was in previous research.
Grubb said: “We’re seeing an evolving leadership landscape whereby traditional backgrounds may no longer be the set criteria for leading the top firms of the future. Global experience, education and values such as loyalty and tenure, however, will always be important, especially as millennials come to the forefront and take up leadership positions in their own right.”