This Consulting Firm Is a 'CEO Factory.' See What It Is — and the Other 19 Companies That Produce the Most CEOs. More than 7% of employees at the top consulting firm go on to become CEOs.
Key Takeaways
- The top five companies were all management consulting firms.
- One sports league is also a breeding ground for CEOs.
Becoming a CEO takes a combination of determination, strong managerial skills and a hunger for growth. But a surprising factor could statistically determine your chances of ascending to the top post — where you previously worked.
According to data from Santa Clara University, between 1992 and 2010, more than 20% of CEOs at S&P 1500 companies had previously worked at one of just 36 high-achieving companies. Colloquially known as "CEO factories," these competitive firms are a breeding ground for future top executives.
In a recent study, OnDeck used LinkedIn data to determine which companies stand above the rest when it comes to producing CEOs. Not surprisingly, the top five are management consulting firms — and McKinsey & Company tops the list. More than 7% of McKinsey employees go on to be CEOs. Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Kearney and Oliver Wyman round out the top five.
The National Football League follows these top consulting firms, with nearly 5% of its former employees going on to become CEOs — not surprising considering how many former athletes found and lead companies post-retirement.
Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble and Porsche Cars North America also made the top 20. Read on to see the full list of the top 20 CEO factories.
Related: 7 Books Every CEO Should Read
