The Chair leads the board and, in many ways, sets the tone for how a company is governed. Here is what the role does, and why the right Chair matters so much.
Leading the board
The Chair's first job is to lead the board itself — running effective meetings, shaping the agenda so the board focuses on what matters, ensuring all directors contribute, and making the board a genuinely effective body rather than a formality. A strong Chair draws out the collective wisdom of the directors and turns the board into a real asset to the business.
Guiding the CEO relationship
One of the Chair's most important roles is the relationship with the CEO — acting as a sounding board, mentor, and, when necessary, the person who holds the CEO to account on the board's behalf. The Chair-CEO partnership, when it works well, gives the CEO valuable counsel and the board confidence; when it works badly, it can destabilise the whole business. Getting this relationship right is central to the role.
Chair versus CEO
A common confusion is between Chair and CEO. The CEO runs the company day to day and is accountable for its performance; the Chair leads the board and is responsible for how the company is governed. Keeping these roles distinct — separating the running of the business from its governance and oversight — is widely regarded as good practice, though in some businesses the roles are combined.
Counsel, stability, and judgement
Beyond the formal duties, a good Chair brings experience, stability, and judgement — a steady hand in difficult moments, wise counsel to the CEO and board, and the standing to lead the business through significant decisions or transitions. Appointing the right Chair, whose experience and temperament fit the business, is one of the most consequential governance decisions a company makes.
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Explore Board Search →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Chair and a CEO?
The CEO runs the company day to day and is accountable for its performance; the Chair leads the board and is responsible for how the company is governed. Separating the two is widely regarded as good governance practice, though some businesses combine them.
What makes a good board Chair?
The ability to lead the board effectively, a strong and balanced relationship with the CEO — supportive but able to hold to account — and the experience, judgement, and stability to guide the business through significant decisions and transitions.
Related: What Does a Board Director Do? · How to Hire a Board Director · Board Committees Explained
