CFO promoted to CEO: a passing trend or a real change?
The recent nominations, particularly in the CAC 40, of former CFO to positions of CEO or COO (Danone, AccordHotels, Engie…), more than being emblematic of a trend, appear to translate a deep and durable transformation of the organisation of the companies.
Let’s talk about the context: companies evolve in an environment that is increasingly complex; we can assume that the finance function provides a relevant analysis key, objectively opposable, likely to give credit to a strategy.
Guardian of the financial picture of the company, the CFO has, in recent years, seen its function expand its prerogative to become an indispensable steering lever of the company.
The CFO translates the business and economical situation into financial figures, evaluates the risks and proposes action plans.