Succession planning in the spotlight amid ‘genuine shock’ of PM’s illness
Succession planning is fraught with difficulty at the best of times. But seeing Boris Johnson laid low is a stark reminder to boards of its importance.
Image: Vudi Xhymshiti/Shutterstock
Boris Johnson’s hospitalisation and subsequent admission to intensive care prompted many questions about leadership of the UK while the prime minister was incapacitated. While his communications staff insisted he was head of the government, there was quite rightly some scrutiny of how power and accountability might be smoothly handed over, especially as the pandemic remains ongoing.
This also raises question for business and large organisations as they come to terms with a lockdown that has brought a screaming halt to the economy and normal trading. The fact is succession planning for a chief executive, or other senior managers, is fraug
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