INTRODUCTION

GECN Group conducts annual research on global trends in executive compensation and governance across leading economies on five continents. This year’s research considers how CEO compensation and incentive structures are shaped by both local and global forces.

Our analysis recognizes that attracting, retaining, and motivating the world’s better leaders is fundamental to long-term value creation and corporate sustainability.

Competition for executive talent is increasingly international, as companies and their leaders seek to compete in a global marketplace. This persists even as geopolitical headwinds – such as tariffs and immigration restrictions – threaten to disrupt traditional talent flows.

Navigating these challenges requires globally experienced and adaptable leadership, underscoring the need for compensation strategies that are competitive and responsive.

Meanwhile, governance standards are influenced by capital flows, institutional investors, and shifting political norms. Despite convergence in some areas, there remain significant opportunities for CEO pay arbitrage. Some talent is not globally mobile and some companies are not yet fully accessing the worldwide talent pool. Yet, it stands to reason that capital follows opportunity created by leaders attracted and retained to create value for shareholders.

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