Strategy& has once again analysed the CDOs at the world’s largest 2,500 public companies.
Faced with organisational challenges, more and more companies are hiring an executive to manage their digital transformation. The study revealed that 19 percent of these companies have now designated an executive to lead their digital agenda. This is up from just 6 percent of companies in the 2015 study. This new class of CDOs often encounter several key obstacles upon assuming their role: ad hoc digital initiatives spread throughout a large organisation, lacking central oversight; a traditional culture that resists change; a gap in the talent required; and legacy systems and structures that threaten to derail their ambitions.
This year’s report looks into the CDOs role given the company’s digital ambition and includes in-depth interviews with CDOs from leading industries.
Key findings
- 19% of companies we analysed have a designated CDO (or equivalent). This is a significant increase compared to just 6 percent in 2015.
- 38% of companies based in Europe, Middle East and Africa have a CDO in place, followed by North America with 23% and Asia-Pacific with 7%.
- 32% of CDOs have a technology background, a significant increase since last year (14%). 39% have a marketing, sales, and customer service background, down from 53% in 2015.
- 40% have a C-Level position. Out of the C-Suite members, 67% carry the title Chief Digital Officer.
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