Boards seek experience vs AI and Tariffs

Everybody is getting older on U.S. corporate boards, is a big takeaway I drew from looking at an annual review of S&P 500 corporate directors.
    
You can see the results of the review in my main story linked in the newsletter below this week. You'll also find links to our coverage of Tesla's cheaper vehicles and a tale of how state regulators showed BlackRock some Minnesota Nice.

Please follow me on LinkedIn and/or Bluesky. You can reach me via ross.kerber@thomsonreuters.com

Recruiters for directors at top U.S. companies are going back to basics, new data shows, as boards seek experienced hands to tackle challenges like artificial intelligence and President Donald Trump's tariffs.
    
The trends also diminish boards' one-time focus on bringing in younger directors and those from more diverse backgrounds. This year, incoming directors at S&P 500 companies averaged 59.1 years old, continuing years of increasing ages, according to an annual review set for release on Tuesday by executive search and leadership advisory firm Spencer Stuart.

Moreover, 30% of new directors are active or retired CEOs, and 29% have a financial background - both figures unchanged from 2024.

"We're going back to people saying they would really like CEO experience in the room," said Julie Hembrock Daum, chair of Spencer Stuart's North American Board Advisory Practice.
    
You can read more my column this week by clicking the button below.

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