These co-CEOs swear by splitting the job: ‘The demands on a modern CEO are close to unsustainable’

Core Insights - AlixPartners has appointed co-CEOs David Garfield and Rob Hornby, who emphasize the importance of shared values and trust in their leadership approach [5][6][17] - The co-CEO structure allows for 20 hours of leadership coverage across time zones, which is seen as a strategic advantage [3][4] - Leadership experts express caution regarding co-CEO arrangements, noting that they can lead to power struggles and inconsistent messaging if not managed properly [6][10][12] Company Overview - AlixPartners is a global consulting firm with 2,500 employees, and the co-CEOs have worked together for 14 years, which they believe enhances decision-making [5][6] - Garfield has extensive experience in corporate strategy and shareholder value, while Hornby specializes in AI and digital innovation [4][5] Leadership Dynamics - The co-CEOs operate under a principle of "pre-planned forgiveness," allowing them to make decisions independently without harming their partnership [2][5] - Both leaders acknowledge the need for distinct roles and complementary skills to ensure effective collaboration [16][17] Industry Context - The trend of co-CEO structures is gaining attention, with recent transitions at companies like Comcast, Oracle, and Spotify [6][12] - Despite the potential benefits, only eight co-CEOs are currently operating within the Russell 3000, indicating that this model remains relatively rare [7][12] Challenges and Considerations - Experts highlight that co-CEO arrangements can lead to confusion regarding authority and decision-making rights, which can complicate leadership dynamics [10][13] - The success of co-CEOs relies heavily on interpersonal relationships and the ability to share power effectively [16][17]