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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.

By Jessica Thomas

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.

Related: I'm EY's Global Chairman and CEO. Here Are the 3 Most Important Lessons I've Learned Through My Career.

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.

Related: These Are the Highest Paid CEOs — And 9 Make More Than $100 Million a Year, According to a New Report

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.

Image Credit: OnDeck

Related: 7 Books Every CEO Should Read
Jessica Thomas

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Digital Content Director

Jessica Thomas is the senior digital content director at Entrepreneur. Prior to this role, she spent nearly five years on staff at Worth magazine and was a staff writer for Bustle. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

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