Chief executive officer facts for kids
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the top leader in a company, organization, or agency. They are in charge of managing everything and making sure the company runs well. Think of them as the captain of a ship, guiding it and making big decisions.
What is a CEO?
In many companies, especially smaller ones, the CEO might also be the chairman of the board. This means one person holds two very important jobs. Sometimes, another person might be the president or chief operating officer (COO). The COO helps the CEO with the daily running of the company.
In some countries, like those in the European Union, companies have two different groups of leaders:
- An executive board handles the everyday work.
- A supervisory board checks on the executive board and is chosen by the company's owners (shareholders).
In these cases, the CEO leads the executive board, and a separate chairman leads the supervisory board. This setup helps keep things fair and prevents one person from having too much power. It's a bit like how governments separate different roles to ensure good governance.
In the United Kingdom, many charities and government groups also have a Chief Executive. This person reports to a Board of Trustees or Board of Directors. For most big public companies in the UK, the Chairman is usually seen as more senior than the Chief Executive. They often split these two roles between different people.
Who Does a CEO Work With?
A CEO usually has a team of other important leaders who report directly to them. Each of these leaders is in charge of a specific part of the company. Some common roles include:
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Manages the company's money.
- Chief Operating Officer (COO): Oversees the daily operations.
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): Handles advertising and selling products.
- Chief Information Officer (CIO): Manages the company's technology.
Even though they aren't executives, the Director of Human Resources is also very important. They help with hiring, training, and supporting employees.
Depending on what the company does, a CEO might also work closely with other specialized leaders. These could include a Chief Strategy Officer, who plans the company's future, or a Chief Risk Officer, who looks for potential problems.
See also
In Spanish: Director ejecutivo para niños
