BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  The Workplace  >  Why CEO Succession is the Board's Most Important Job

Why CEO Succession is the Board's Most Important Job

Michele Kythe Lim, President & CEO, of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) | Tunku Alizakri, Multi-Company Independent Director

16-Jul-25 11:00

Why CEO Succession is the Board's Most Important Job

Leadership transitions are one of the most critical moments for any organization. Get succession planning right, and you ensure stability, credibility, and confidence; get it wrong, and you risk chaos and value destruction. But who is truly responsible for this vital process?

Michele Kythe Lim, President & CEO of ICDM, and Tunku Alizakri Alias, a multi-company independent director, argue that succession planning is a strategic board imperative, not just an HR function, and requires a transparent, formalised process to succeed.

We discuss:

  • Why succession planning and picking CEOs is the board's most important strategic job.

  • The key indicators of a successful leadership transition.

  • Lessons from global succession stories like Apple and Disney.

  • The crucial role of independent directors in ensuring objectivity.

  • The different challenges in PLCs, GLCs, and family-owned businesses.

    For board members, CEOs, and HR leaders tasked with building resilient organisations, this is key insight into future-proofing leadership and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  the workplaceCorporates

Tags:  ceo successionsuccession planningcorporate governanceboard of directorsleadership development





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) How do we end the year on a high without relying solely on bonuses, pay rises, or one-off rewards? Yeoh Chen Chow, Founder of 1% Advisory and Coaching shares his thoughts.

12:00 PM

Just For Kicks

(REPEAT) Sean Malhotra and Bob Holmes join Daryl Ong to talk about football during the festive period - they look ahead to Matchweek 17 of the English Premier League.

1:00 PM

A Bit of Culture

(REPEAT) Matt Armitage and Zan Azlee join Kam Raslan to talk about British India curry, five star ratings and children's sports day.

2:00 PM

Ringgit & Sense

(REPEAT) Felix Neoh, Director of Financial Planning at Finwealth Management answers listeners questions about credit cards.

2:30 PM

The Property Show

(REPEAT) Recap of Property Show on Pest Management episodes in 2025.

3:00 PM

Best of The Bigger Picture

(REPEAT) We speak to feminist ethnographer Maria do Mar Pereira about some myths surrounding feminism, what the movement truly stands for, and whether it can benefit men, as well.

4:00 PM

Best of Evening Edition

(REPEAT) How do you deal with (and survive) family conflict during the holidays? A counsellor shares tips to defuse and de-escalate tense situations.

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

Dr. Sonia Gandhi, a renowned scientist working on slowing down the effects of Parkinson disease, shares her journey so far with Professor Jim Al-Khalili on The Life Scientific.