Russell Reynolds Associates' (RRA) Global COO Turnover Index reveals a trend of leadership stability in Singapore and Asia, contrasting with higher turnover rates observed globally. Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan all recorded zero COO departures in Q1 2025, aligning with historical trends.
This stability underscores a commitment to operational continuity and forward-looking leadership in the region.
The Global COO Turnover Index analyses COO appointments and departures across leading listed companies worldwide, drawing data from major stock indices, including the Hang Seng, Nikkei 225, and STI. The COO role is becoming increasingly strategic, driven by digital transformation and sustainability pressures, positioning it as a potential stepping stone to the CEO role.
While Asia maintained a 0% COO turnover rate in Q1 2025, the global average stood at 1.3%. Global COO departures decreased to 24 in Q1 2025, down from 35 in Q1 2024, marking one of the lowest figures in the past five years. This trend of leadership stability extends beyond COOs, with CHRO and CFO turnover rates in Asia also among the lowest globally.
Vijuraj Eranazhath, who leads the Operations Officers Practice in Asia for Russell Reynolds Associates, suggests that this stability reflects organisations' long-term business strategies and robust talent development. This approach enables Asian organisations to navigate supply chain uncertainties and capitalise on new growth opportunities.
"At a time when global markets are experiencing heightened turnovers, companies in this region are thinking long-term about their business strategies and leveraging robust talent development to maintain stability at the top," says Eranazhath.
"This approach not only positions Asia organisations to weather uncertainty in supply chains, but also enables them to capitalise on new growth opportunities over the medium-to-long term as business demands evolve." Vijuraj Eranazhath
Globally, COO tenure remains relatively brief, averaging 3.8 years in Q1 2025, slightly up from 3.4 years in 2024. This is notably shorter than the average tenure of other C-suite roles, such as CEOs (7.8 years) and CFOs (6.2 years). The shorter COO tenure is often attributed to the role serving as a pathway to the CEO position, with RRA's research indicating that 22% of CEO hires in 2024 previously held COO roles.
Internal appointments are the preferred route for filling COO positions globally, accounting for 81% of hires in Q1 2025, up from 68.5% in 2024. This preference highlights the emphasis organisations place on developing and promoting internal talent, leveraging institutional knowledge and continuity.
The increasing prominence of the "China Plus One" strategy, which encourages businesses to diversify their supply chains beyond China, also impacts the COO role in the APAC region. COOs in the region are tasked with laying the groundwork for greater resilience and future growth.
