CEO tenure is shrinking — and it’s no accident

CEO tenure is shrinking — and it’s no accident.

According to Spencer Stuart’s 2024 CEO Transitions report:
In 2021, the average S&P 500 CEO served 11.2 years.
By 2024, it fell to 8.3 years.

What’s driving this?

Boards are moving faster — not out of impatience, but a need for precision.

We’re seeing:
— Quicker action when leadership alignment breaks
— Faster pivots when momentum stalls
— Tighter demands around capital discipline, culture, and execution

This reflects a deeper truth:
Leadership isn’t static — it’s situational.

The right CEO at the wrong time can stall growth.
The right match unlocks compounding.

At Eagle Talon, this is core to our process.
We assess:
— Where a CEO’s edge really comes from
— How they create leverage inside the company
— Whether their judgment scales with the opportunity

Leadership changes are signals.
They tell us what the board is solving for — and whether the new operator is built to solve it.

We’re actively deploying capital — in our flagship strategy and a new co-investment vehicle anchored by another business we believe in.

If this resonates, let’s talk.

🔗 Read the full report: Spencer Stuart 2024 CEO Transitions Report
2024 CEO Transitions