Changes in the C-Suite: The 2025 CCO Turnover Study

The year 2024 reshaped corporate dynamics amid unprecedented challenges, from a transformative U.S. election to the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence across industries. As shareholder and employee activism intensified and misinformation proliferated, organizations increasingly turned to their communications and corporate affairs teams for strategic guidance. Chief Communications Officers proved invaluable, working closely with C-Suite executives and business unit leaders to navigate stakeholder relationships and drive business outcomes. However, this period of volatility also led to significant transitions within CCO positions across industries.

In our 2025 CCO Turnover Study, we examined the latest trends in CCO turnover, including the types of companies that are most likely to experience CCO turnover, and the characteristics held by candidates that are most attractive to CEOs hiring for the role. 

Key Findings:

• CCO Turnover in the U.S. increased in 2024 to 10.5%  from 8% in 2023
• 66% of CCO roles at U.S. headquartered companies and 60% of CCO roles globally were filled by an external candidate
• In the U.S., only 36% of externally hired CCOs lacked prior industry experience. Additionally, only 25% of the CCO roles filled were by an external candidate with no previous CCO-level experience (compared to 21% globally)
• In 2024, 68% of all filled CCO positions in the Fortune 500 and S&P 500 were held by women, ticking up from 66% in 2023, but there is a clear gap in private vs public company hiring

In addition to expanding our U.S. focused data and information to include both Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies, this year we conducted similar studies with our European counterparts and partners in the Corporate Affairs Search Alliance to produce a global report.