COO turnover has fluctuated since 2019 across the 10 indices tracked in the Global COO Turnover Index. In 2025, COO appointments reached a seven-year high, with 146 incoming COOs globally, up from 130 in 2024. At the same time, departures fell to 65, producing a net expansion of 81 COO roles globally. Companies are increasingly formalizing or expanding the COO role as business transformation accelerates.

There were 146 COO appointments globally in 2025 across the 10 indices tracked in the Global COO Turnover Index. This included:

• 60 COO appointments in the S&P 500
• 19 COO appointments in the ASX 200
• 13 COO appointments in the FTSE 100

Elevated COO hiring reflects the evolving nature of the role. As AI adoption, digital acceleration, supply chain complexity, and enterprise transformation reshape operating models, companies are placing greater emphasis on end-to-end operational leadership.

Increasingly, the COO is viewed as the executive responsible for translating transformation strategy into measurable operational results. As a result, companies are adding or strengthening the role within the C-suite.

There were 65 COO departures globally in 2025 across the 10 indices tracked in the Global COO Turnover Index. This included:

• 29 COO departures in the S&P 500
• 9 COO departures in the ASX 200
• 6 COO departures in the FTSE 100

In 2025, 25 women were appointed as COOs, representing 17% of global COO appointments, compared to 121 men.

In 2025, 88% of COO appointments globally were first-time COOs, meaning they had not previously held a COO role at a publicly listed company.

In 2025, the average tenure of departing COOs was 4.1 years, the highest level since tracking began in 2019.