The Society for Human Resource Management announced Oct. 31 that it had acquired CEO Academy, which provides “refresher” programs for long-serving CEOs, as well as intensive training and networking.
“With the organizations’ combined capabilities, we will be able to provide more resources and tools to business executives, which will allow them to excel in the workplace and optimize the CEO-CHRO relationship,” the press release said.
The acquisition reflects SHRM’s ongoing interest in placing CHROs at the forefront of company strategy. Johnny C. Taylor, SHRM president and CEO, said in a statement the acquisition will allow SHRM to “empower great leaders together to create real change in the world of work.”
The CHRO role recently has become a clearer part of the CEO pipeline, especially as companies understand the connection between talent and company performance, according to a 2019 report from Hanold Associates Executive Search.
But CEOs may also be somewhat displacing CHROs when it comes to driving a workplace transformation plan, a 2020 report said. Only 3% of respondents said CHROs were influencing decisions behind workplace transformation, and 19% said CHROs contributed to roadmapping.
To remain strategic leaders, HR pros need to know and understand their workforces, experts have said – knowledge that they can bring to the CHRO-CEO relationship.
