While there is no single path for becoming a CHRO, Eton Bridge Partners’ 2026 CPO Pathways report shows how the market is evolving—and one shift stands out: first-time chief people officer appointments are rising.
Key themes that begin to paint a picture:
Experience is prized, yet first-timers are breaking through:
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The average appointment age edged up to 53 (from 52 in 2023), hinting that boards may be leaning on experience and judgement during high-stakes change.
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At the same time, the door is opening wider for new CPOs: only 53% of appointments went to experienced CPOs (down from 78% in 2023).
The “typical” CPO still trends female but varies by region:
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Globally, women continue to dominate CPO appointments, holding steady at 68% overall.
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However, the global average hides local swings: in 2025, female appointments were particularly high in markets like the UK (80%), North America (76%), and Europe (74%), while Asia and South America skew male.
External hiring is back with private equity powering the demand:
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After years where internal promotions were more common, external hires jumped to 71% of global appointments in 2025 (up from 52% in 2023) even as overall global appointments for the role decreased.
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Just under 40% of CPO hires in 2025 were in PE-backed companies (up from 34% two years earlier). These firms are hiring people leaders more often to help them scale, improve performance, and get “deal-ready.”
The internal/external paradox:
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Even as external hires jumped to 71% in 2025 (up from 52% in 2023), sector switching became harder.
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82% of moves stayed within the same sector (up from about 75% in 2024). In other words, companies are looking outside their organizational chart, but mostly inside their industry—poaching from direct competitors.
The bottom line: Eton Bridge suggests there’s no one “right” CPO profile. Companies are tailoring the search for their unique strategies and finding the candidate that will best strengthen the company’s capabilities, culture, and performance.
