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The Profile of the Internationally Sought-After Peruvian CEO
“We have seen a significant increase in the demand for Peruvian CEOs internationally. Twenty-five percent of the companies we serve in the region ask us to identify Peruvian candidates for CEO roles in their operations,” says Diego Cubas.
What do multinational companies and firms in other countries see in the profile of the Peruvian CEO? Today, the role of the Peruvian CEO has gained unprecedented relevance on the international stage. According to Cornerstone, 25% of the foreign companies it advises ask us to identify Peruvian talent for their recruitment processes across various industries.
In this context, Diego Cubas, CEO of Peru and President of Latin America at Cornerstone, notes that: “This data reflects an emerging trend in the international business environment, where the Peruvian CEO’s problem-solving, decisive, and entrepreneurial profile is highly valued. Peruvians are resourceful; in many cases, they have a smaller budget and must implement innovative solutions by thinking outside the box. In addition, they have lived through complex historical events—in other words, they have always navigated uncertainty.”
Do Peruvian CEOs stand out compared to their regional peers? The executive and board search expert notes that executives from other countries are just as competent. However, for specific sectors, as well as the growth phase the organization is in, “They request that we include Peruvian candidates in the processes. Among the sectors where we include more Peruvians in regional and global processes are: Retail, Consumer Goods, Financial Sector, Agriculture, and Mining,” says Cubas.
- Entrepreneurial Profile: Characterized by a combination of skills, attitudes, and experiences that empower them to lead and steer a company toward success, including strategic vision, out-of-the-box thinking, creativity, and innovation.
- Adaptability: Demonstrates the ability to understand and adapt to different corporate cultures, situations, and contexts, which is key to business success in an interconnected environment. “This skill helps Peruvian executives quickly understand what they need to do to fit into an organization and deliver results. Looking at our placement history, we have confirmed that the average tenure as CEO currently averages 4 to 5 years,” says Diego Cubas.
- Key profile: this involves the ability to make firm and effective decisions, inspire and motivate their team with a clear strategic vision, and adapt quickly to changes and risks, maintaining high energy and persistence to deliver results.
“For a CEO to succeed in a position, three key factors must be met: first, they must possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience; second, they must have the motivation and determination to do the job; and third, they must fit the organization’s culture and the board’s leadership style,” explains Cubas.
The profile of the Peruvian CEO has undergone a notable evolution in recent years and is becoming increasingly in demand. “We have hundreds of Peruvian executives who are now CEOs and General Managers of companies around the world. We are seeing growing demand for Peruvian executives from global companies, primarily in the sectors mentioned earlier,” says Cubas.
According to the expert: “The internationally sought-after Peruvian CEO is one who combines solid experience across different sectors, preferably with international exposure that allows them to understand diverse cultures and think outside the box, along with a global vision and intercultural skills”; he also highlights that “In 2023, at Cornerstone, we have placed 40 CEOs and General Managers in the region.”
Learn more about Cornerstone, a global firm specializing in Executive & Board Search and Talent Management Consulting, by visiting https://cornerstone.com.pe
