First-time CPOs | Why boards are looking beyond 'traditional' hires for C-suite HR roles

Employers are increasingly turning to external, first-time candidates to fill their Chief People Officer (CPO) vacancies, a report has revealed.

According to a study by Eton Bridge Partners, which analysed nearly 15,000 global CPO appointments, only 53% of all CPO hires in 2025 were so-called experienced applicants, i.e. those who had done the role previously – down from 73% in 2023.