Explore the latest data and trends in BEL 20 appointments
2023 DATA
TRENDS DATA
Board Monitor
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This analysis is part of Heidrick & Struggles’ long-standing study of trends in board composition in countries around the world. Produced by our global CEO & Board Practice, these reports track and analyze trends in non-executive director appointments to the boards of the largest publicly listed companies in Australia (ASX 200), Belgium (BEL 20), Brazil (B3), Canada (TSX 60), Colombia (COLCAP), Denmark (OMX Copenhagen 25), Finland (OMX Helsinki 25), France (CAC 40), Germany (DAX and MDAX), Hong Kong (Hang Seng), Ireland (ISEQ), Italy (FTSE MIB), India (Nifty Top 200), Japan (TOPIX Core 30), Kenya (NSE Top 40), Mexico (BMV IPC), the Netherlands (AEX), New Zealand (NZX 10), Norway (OBX), Poland (WIG20), Portugal (PSI 20), Saudi Arabia (Tadawul), Singapore (STI 30), South Africa (JSE Top 40), South Korea (KOSPI 50), Spain (IBEX 35), Sweden (OMX Stockholm 30), Switzerland (SMI Expanded), the United Arab Emirates (ADX and DFM), the United Kingdom (FTSE 350), and the United States (Fortune 500). Information about executives is gathered from publicly available sources, BoardEx, and a Heidrick & Struggles proprietary database.
About the research
of BEL 20 companies brought on at least one new director
74%
board appointments were made in 2023
33
Number and share of appointments
9%
COO
21%
CFO
42%
CEO
Most common type of C-suite experience (Share of appointments)
67%
of appointments went to directors with cross-sector experience
64%
of seats went to directors with international experience
of seats went to retired executives
39%
went to those active in executive roles
61%
of seats went to first-time public board directors
39%
Professional experience
The average age was
Min
Max
56
36
70
56
of seats went to women
39%
52%
48%
Nationality
Non-national
National
Diversity
DIVERSITY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
APPOINTMENTS OVERVIEW
DOWNLOAD DATA
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
55
56
58
53
56
Average age at appointment
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
38
33
23
50
48
63
67
46
50
52
31
National
Non-national
N/A
Nationality (%)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
42
33
31
60
39
Gender diversity trends: Women (%)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
8
8
15
30
21
50
25
54
35
42
CEO
CFO
CEO & CFO experience (%)
17
33
46
50
39
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
First-time board members (%)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
83
75
69
45
61
Active executives (%)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
24
12
13
20
33
Number of seats filled
AGE AT APPOINTMENT
NATIONALITY
GENDER
CEO & CFO
BOARD EXPERIENCE
ACTIVE VS RETIRED
NUMBER OF SEATS
Copyright @ 2024 Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
CEO & Board Practice
Heidrick & Struggles’ CEO & Board Practice has been built on our ability to execute top-level assignments and counsel CEOs and board members on the complex issues directly affecting their businesses.
Europe CEO & Board of Directors Practice
Kit Bingham
London
kbingham@heidrick.com
Alice Breeden
London
abreeden@heidrick.com
2024