What’s the difference between a managing director vs CEO?

The managing director plays a vital role in managing the day-to-day operations of a business or subsidiary. They are typically responsible for managing the division’s short and long term performance, setting and achieving objectives, developing strategies, and managing finances and resources. The managing director must work closely with other senior management to ensure the divisions meet their goals.

The CEO is an executive responsible for leading an organisation’s overall operations and strategic planning. CEOs set the vision for their company’s future direction, oversee financial decisions, create policies and procedures, manage investments, analyse risks associated with potential investments, approve significant projects or mergers & acquisitions, and direct global operations.

John leads a global team at Integrity Governance that is focused on making boards more effective. A boardroom expert working with multinationals, SMEs, trade associations and not-for-profits, he provides practical, impartial advice to directors, business owners, executives and CEOs, to help improve board performance. He has 30 years of experience at director level in the corporate world, having worked at blue chip businesses including: Mars, Schroders and Goldman Sachs.

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