This book represents the first cross-country study of the work of board chairs in Europe.

It focuses on what board leaders actually do, rather than what they should do, and elaborates on a conceptual contingency framework for understanding chairs’ work in Europe.

In this second edition, 18 experts from 14 European countries interviewed more than 300 chairs, CEOs, directors and shareholders to detect and compare specific practices and instruments that chairs use to deal with various challenges. Researchers also assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of chairs and the boards they lead. 

The book benefits incumbent and future chairs, directors, shareholders, CEOs, executives and regulators in developing a systemic understanding of the work of a chair in the European business context and gaining insights into how the leader of the board deals with specific challenges.

Stanislav Shekshnia is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at INSEAD, a Director of the “Leading from the Chair” executive development programme and a Senior Partner at Ward Howell. His research concentrates on leadership, leadership development and effective governance in regions and organizations.

Veronika Zagieva is Director of Ward Howell Talent Equity Institute, an internal research and development division of the Ward Howell Group. Her research is focused on leadership development, CEO effectiveness, CEO succession and board dynamics.