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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


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Categories:  the workplaceCorporates

Tags:  ceo successionsuccession planningcorporate governanceboard of directorsleadership development





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