TB Pulse – CEO or ExCo?

The influence of corporate affairs

For the latest Taylor Birchwood ‘pulse’ survey, more than 50 Corporate Affairs Directors and Chief Communications Officers were asked which they consider to be more important: reporting into the CEO or sitting on the ExCo.

In an ever-changing operating environment, where businesses are constantly adapting to technological advances and shifting market dynamics, there are some new faces emerging on the ExCo to address specific organisational needs. Be it a Chief Digital Officer, a Chief Sustainability Officer, a Chief Risk Officer, or a Chief Innovation Officer, the role of the Chief Communications Officer is no less valued, but neither is a seat at the table guaranteed.

48% of our contributors favoured ExCo responsibility. By contrast 37% felt reporting into the CEO was more important. The recurring observation of the remaining 15% was that access to the CEO and senior leaders was the real key to success and this is neither dependent upon reporting line nor ExCo representation.

If not to the CEO, to whom would you report?

48% stated a preference for reporting into the Chief of Staff / COO, whilst 30% favoured the Chief Strategy Officer. Just 4% suggested the CMO, and 2% the CHRO. Of the remaining 26%, there was recognition that this is often driven by the type of organisation, the sector and the issues it faces. For example, corporate affairs in a listed businesses may well report into the CFO. Of 170 people who took part in a similar poll on LinkedIn, 53% favoured Strategy, and 42% Chief of Staff/COO, whilst 3% favoured the CHRO and 2% CMO.

Given the reporting line into the HR function is not unusual we asked our Managing Partner, Wayne Reynolds to comment on the stats. “Communications leaders often assume that internal communication is the lens through which the CHRO views communication but if the CHRO harnesses the full potential of the corporate affairs function, it can be a powerful partnership”.

In this volatile world the demands on, and expectations of, the corporate affairs function have never been higher. With access to the CEO and senior leaders, the influence of the Corporate Affairs Director remains as powerful as ever regardless of reporting lines and ExCo responsibility.