PwC Publishes Board Effectiveness Survey, Revealing Top Issues for C-Suites

Today, PwC and The Conference Board released their fifth annual Board Effectiveness: A Survey of the C-Suite report. The survey, which canvasses more than 500 top executives across the business landscape, reveals a significant divide between executives and board members regarding essential skills and governance priorities.

Despite a modest increase in overall board confidence from 30% to 35% of executives rating their boards as excellent or good, substantial gaps remain in perceived effectiveness. Executives express rising concerns about role clarity and the skills mix necessary on boards, suggesting that current board dynamics require more refined skills to meet modern business priorities.

Underscoring this sentiment, 93% of executives, especially those in technology roles, advocated for the replacement of at least one director—an unprecedented high that signals widespread demand for fresh skills and board evolution. Additionally, the number of executives who feel that board directors are overstepping their roles has doubled in the past year, with 32% reporting an overreach. This growing misalignment between current boards and executives comes at a time of rapid changes in the macroeconomic environment, prompting calls for a reevaluation of board dynamics.

“The findings from the 2025 survey shine a light on a need for boards to evolve,” stated Ray Garcia, leader of PwC's Governance Insights Community. “As the business environment continues to transform, boards must move more rapidly to address gaps in expertise and coordinate with executives on short and long-term business priorities.”

Simultaneously, the survey reveals a stark contrast in the concerns of executives and directors. While nearly half of executives consider international business and AI as major risk areas, only 9% and 10% of directors, respectively, agree with them. This dissonance points to different assumptions about “essential” business needs, indicating that boards may struggle to provide effective oversight if they do not recalibrate their priorities.

PwC is committed to bridging these gaps, offering tailored strategies in board composition, director assessments, and scenario planning. With unique insights and strong governance experience, PwC strives to serve as a valuable resource for boards seeking to modernize and enhance their oversight capabilities.

For more insights, please visit the Governance Insights Center to access the full report.