Twenty-five questions for nomination committee Chairs and boards examining their succession arrangements. Review planned and emergency CEO succession, Chair succession, NED refresh and the executive pipeline.
Free PDF · 31 pages · Succession planning workbook
By Beyond Governance
- Work through five areas of succession planning
- Record your answers and reflect on the gaps
- Identify three questions for the next NomCo discussion
Download the succession workbook
Examining the strength of your succession arrangements
A succession plan needs to stand up to questions about timing, available candidates and what happens if a departure comes earlier than expected. Those questions can be difficult to answer when the discussion remains at a general level.
The Succession Readiness Review provides 25 prompts to make that discussion more specific. The workbook includes space for written answers and section reflections, then asks you to identify three of your weakest answers for the next nomination committee agenda. It supports reflection and discussion without producing a numerical score.
Five areas to work through
Planned CEO succession
Examine the arrangements for an orderly transition and the preparation behind the potential next appointment.
Emergency CEO succession
Consider who could step in, what the emergency arrangement is intended to achieve and whether it has been thought through.
Chair succession
Review the board’s approach to the Chair’s eventual succession and the questions that need timely attention.
Board composition and NED refresh
Consider how changes in non-executive membership connect with the board’s composition and future needs.
The executive pipeline
Reflect on the development and visibility of potential future leaders within the organisation.
Who the workbook is for
Nomination committee Chairs, Board Chairs, senior independent directors and company secretaries supporting succession discussions. Other directors can use it to prepare their own questions.
A question from the workbook
“Is the emergency CEO a viable permanent successor, or a bridge?”
Why download the workbook
It creates space to examine what is known, what is assumed and where a further conversation is needed. The final reflection helps you select a small number of questions to raise, rather than leaving every issue at the same level of priority.
How to use it
Work through the questions with your organisation in mind and write down the reasoning behind your answers. Use the section reflections and final three-question summary to prepare for a focused NomCo discussion.
Download the Succession Readiness Review
Identify the succession questions that need a clearer answer at your next meeting.
Download the succession workbook
Related resources
The Board Effectiveness Self Assessment
Forward Agenda Planning for Boards and Committees
Further support
Explore our succession planning advisory for support with your board’s arrangements.
