The CEO just resigned. What now.
A 48-hour, 7-day, 100-day playbook for boards, controlling shareholders and PE operating partners facing a suddenly empty CEO seat.
Direct answer
When the CEO resigns, act within 48 hours: convene the board, agree a temporary reporting line, communicate internally and externally within three days, and appoint an acting CEO (internal) or CEO ad interim (external) within one week. In parallel, run a proper permanent search over three to six months. Interim covers the gap and briefs the successor.
Timeline
48 hours to six months.
- 01
First 48 hours: stabilise
Convene the board or controlling shareholder. Agree an interim reporting line (usually Chair or lead investor). Communicate internally to the leadership team the same day, externally within 72 hours. Silence is more damaging than a short honest statement.
- 02
First week: name an acting CEO
Appoint an internal Direttore Generale or COO as acting CEO, or bring in a CEO ad interim. Do not leave the seat empty for more than seven days. Cash, customers and top employees start walking on day eight.
- 03
Weeks 1-4: 100-day plan
Interim runs a diagnostic: cash, top 10 customers, top 10 employees, top 3 risks, pending decisions blocked by the vacancy. Written report to the board at day 30. Not a strategy refresh. A stabilisation plan.
- 04
Months 2-6: bridge and search
Interim runs the company while the board runs a proper permanent search (retained or direct). Interim briefs the incoming CEO for the last two weeks. Clean handover, documented, no shadow authority left behind.
FAQ
CEO resignation. Common questions.
What do you do when the CEO suddenly resigns?
Within 48 hours: convene the board, agree a temporary reporting line, communicate internally then externally, and appoint an acting CEO (internal) or interim CEO (external). Do not leave the seat empty for more than seven days. In parallel, brief a permanent search firm or engage a senior operator directly for a 6-12 month interim mandate.
Who has the authority to appoint an acting CEO?
In an S.p.A. or S.r.l., the Board of Directors (Consiglio di Amministrazione) has the authority to name a temporary Amministratore Delegato. In practice the Chair or controlling shareholder drives the decision and the board formalises it within days. If bylaws are unclear, involve a corporate lawyer before the appointment.
How do you communicate a CEO resignation to employees and the market?
Same day, internally, in a short factual statement from the Chair: the CEO has stepped down, an interim arrangement is in place, permanent search will follow. Within 72 hours, external statement to key customers, banks and, if regulated, to the market. Confidentiality on reasons; clarity on continuity. What you cannot say publicly, say directly to your top 20 stakeholders by phone.
Cosa fare quando un amministratore delegato si dimette?
Entro 48 ore: convocare il CdA, definire una linea di riporto temporanea, comunicare internamente e poi al mercato, nominare un AD facente funzione (interno) o un CEO ad interim (esterno). Non lasciare la sedia vuota oltre sette giorni. In parallelo, avviare una ricerca permanente.
Related: when to hire an interim CEO, how a mandate runs, and turnaround CEO. Back to Hire Interim CEO.
Next step
Empty seat. Two-week start.
If the CEO just resigned and the board needs authority in the seat by next week, a 30-minute call today puts a written proposal on your desk in 48 hours.