As AI reshapes business operations at lightning speed, the question isn’t whether your organisation should embrace digital transformation, but whether your leadership is equipped to guide it.

Only 5% of FTSE 350 non-executive directors have held a senior digital role such as CIO or CTO. In the S&P 500, that figure is just slightly higher at 6%. Even with a generous definition of “digital background,” we’re still only at around 6% in the FTSE 350.

Given that technology now underpins everything from customer engagement to operational efficiency, this shortfall represents more than just a talent gap; it’s a governance risk. Boards that lack digital fluency are not equipped to understand the true scope of the risks, trade-offs, and decisions they need to make.

This reality should be a factor for future-proofing leadership. Are your strategies adapting fast enough?

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