Bloodthirsty activist traders are set to take down a report variety of CEOs this yr, Barclays says. The report is just a yr outdated

Barclays knowledge present that in 2024, a report 27 CEOs of main world corporations resigned or have been compelled out within the wake of activist campaigns—practically tripling the numbers from only a few years in the past. That determine, already the very best on report, is anticipated to be eclipsed in 2025 because the give attention to CEO accountability intensifies, with 25 CEOs resigning yr up to now after coming below activist stress, with 20% of the departures occurring at S&P 500 corporations.

‘Nearly a shareholder revolt’

Jim Rossman, global head of shareholder advisory at Barclays, told Reuters that it reveals a exceptional shift. “There was virtually a shareholder revolt final yr,” he mentioned, noting that traders aren’t as affected person as prior to now for efficiency to enhance. He likened it to an perspective of “We would like the businesses the place we’re invested to alter proper now.” The 191 campaigns launched yr up to now in 2025 are essentially the most ever, up 19% versus the long-term common.

Boards, wary of appearing complacent, have been shown to take action even before activist threats hit the headlines. In 2024, high-profile exits at firms like Lamb Weston and Kohl’s occurred amid mounting pressure, while at Boeing, Nike, Stellantis, and Hertz, CEOs departed earlier than an energetic marketing campaign ever materialized. This marks a cultural shift: Board illustration by activists is commonly a prerequisite for CEO change, however even the mere presence or suggestion of activist exercise could also be sufficient to set off a swift ouster.

The success of activist campaigns in securing CEO departures is tied to operational missteps and lagging shareholder returns. Activists typically strike after six quarters of trailing performance—a post-pandemic climate in which leaders can no longer blame COVID-era uncertainties for missed targets. Whether it’s overestimated growth in online retail or failed M&A plans, CEOs are finding themselves held directly accountable for execution—not just strategy.

What’s changed is both the frequency and the intensity of these campaigns. U.S. companies valued at over $500 million saw activist campaigns surge by 90% quarter over quarter in Barclays’ most recent report, a reversal of the typical slowdown in the summer season. Overall, U.S. campaign activity has been 23% higher than in 2024 year to date, supported by this “unusually busy” third quarter.

Boards are now acting faster and more decisively. Where previous years saw them negotiate or install dissident directors, 2024 and 2025 have shown boards are quicker to act. This is reshaping the very nature of CEO tenure: The window to deliver results is shortening, and tolerance for underperformance is vanishing.

Activist board seats have also reached new highs: 98 year to date, a 17% increase. Major activists Elliott, JANA, and Starboard comprise nearly 38% of all these, with Elliott winning nine seats alone in the quarter. Increasing activist success is also correlated with what Barclays considers “improved quality of independent directors,” calculating that 39% of them have public company CEO or CFO experience, and 73% have public company director experience.

The Barclays report signals that the wave of CEO departures is not a fleeting anomaly but the new normal, propelled by emboldened activists and increasingly impatient boards. With President Trump’s deregulatory administration in power and M&A scrutiny easing, the mix of liquidity and economic optimism is giving activists even more ammunition—ensuring that CEOs remain firmly in the crosshairs.

As 2025 unfolds, it’s clear: Activist investors aren’t letting go. For global companies, the leadership leapfrog is likely to accelerate, cementing shareholder activism as the decisive force in corporate governance—and the number of CEO heads rolling may soon set a new, even higher record.