Looking ahead, those surveyed expect the lead director to delve further into shareholder and governance issues, be more involved in risk management, drive succession planning to ensure the process produces top leaders, and strengthen the independence of the board. On the horizon also are issues related to how the lead director’s role will change if compa- nies alter their organizational structure. At the surveyed companies, 67 percent still have a combined position of board chairman-CEO despite increasing pressures from stakeholders and regulators to split these functions. Some commentators have asserted that with effective lead directors becoming increasingly active in.
