Summit Leadership Partners’ 2026 PE-Backed CEO Study

The Right CEO for the Moment
What Private Equity Leaders Say Separates CEO Success From Struggle

The CEO who was right at investment may not be the leader the business needs at scale or exit. New research reveals how the CEO mandate evolves across the investment lifecycle, where leadership fit begins to break down, and what sponsors can do before performance suffers.

Drawing on insights from 176 private equity operating, talent, and deal partners, along with interviews with experienced PE leaders and CEOs, Summit’s 2026 PE-Backed CEO Study explores:

• What separates successful PE-backed CEOs from those who struggle—and why the answer depends on the investment context.
• How CEO expectations evolve from investment through value creation and exit.
• The early warning signs of CEO misalignment and how sponsors can identify risks before they affect performance.
• What sponsors can do to strengthen CEO selection, development, and succession decisions.

Explore the full study: The Right CEO for the Moment