The Vistage Chair role is designed for experienced leaders looking to extend their impact beyond the organisation they have led. It provides a way to apply your leadership experience in a new context—working directly with CEOs and business owners while building an independent advisory practice.
A different way to apply your leadership experience
Many CEOs, founders and senior executives reach a point where they want to stay engaged in business leadership beyond day-to-day operational responsibilities. The Chair role combines autonomy with a proven advisory model. Instead of leading one organisation, you help multiple leaders navigate complex decisions, challenge assumptions and build stronger businesses.
Stay close to real business leadership
As a Vistage Chair, you work with CEOs and business owners in structured peer advisory groups focused on real decisions and outcomes.
You remain close to the pace and complexity of business—without returning to an executive role.
Build a meaningful portfolio career
You build your Chair portfolio independently, supported by an established model, proven frameworks and a global community of experienced Chairs.
This creates flexibility, autonomy and long-term professional continuity — supported by a proven model rather than requiring you to build from scratch.
Supported by a proven global model
Unlike building a consulting practice alone, you are supported by structured training, ongoing development, and a global community of experienced Chairs.
This enables you to build a sustainable practice with confidence and consistency.
The Chair role
As a Vistage Chair, you bring your leadership judgement, commercial experience and perspective to CEOs and business owners, combining facilitation, coaching and peer accountability within a proven framework.
You lead confidential peer advisory groups where senior leaders bring real business challenges, test thinking, and gain insight from their peers.
Each month, you facilitate structured group sessions and one-to-one coaching conversations focused on their priorities and decisions.
‘Being a Vistage Chair is the single most profound thing that I have done in my professional career. The ability to assist people on their journeys and to help them become the best leaders and people that they can be is very rewarding. I am quite proud when they accomplish their goals and achieve success in whatever way they measure it.’
Vistage Chair
Why experienced leaders choose this role
After years leading organisations, many CEOs, founders and senior executives reach a point where they want to stay engaged in business leadership — but on their own terms.
The Chair role offers independence with structure: the freedom to build a meaningful portfolio while being supported by a proven global model, established frameworks and a community of experienced Chairs.
For many leaders, it becomes a way to:
Create impact beyond one organisation
Apply decades of experience, judgement and leadership lessons to help other CEOs make better decisions and build stronger businesses.
Stay commercially current
Remain close to real business challenges through exposure to different industries, emerging issues and conversations with other experienced leaders.
Build a meaningful portfolio career
Create a professional rhythm that combines autonomy, flexibility and purpose — without returning to the demands of a full-time executive role.
Continue learning alongside exceptional peers
Develop as a Chair through ongoing development, proven facilitation tools and a global community of leaders who continue to challenge and support each other.
What it takes to become a Chair
Successful Chairs bring a combination of commercial experience, leadership capability, and the ability to work effectively with senior executives.
They typically bring:
Explore the Chair role
Is this your next chapter?
If you are an experienced CEO, founder or senior executive, we invite you to have a confidential conversation about whether the Chair role aligns with your experience, ambitions and the impact you want to create next.
Frequently asked questions
A Vistage Chair is an experienced business leader who facilitates confidential peer advisory groups for CEOs, business owners, and senior executives, alongside one-to-one coaching. Through structured group discussions and coaching conversations, Chairs help leaders improve decision-making, strengthen leadership capability, and enhance business performance.
Vistage Chairs are typically former CEOs, business owners, managing directors, or senior executives with significant leadership and commercial experience. Many are building a portfolio career that may also include board positions, consulting, or advisory work. It is also a common next step for executives who are considering what to do after leaving the C-suite or who are approaching retirement and exploring a second career.
For many experienced CEOs and senior executives, becoming a Vistage Chair is an alternative to traditional retirement. It provides a way to remain engaged in business leadership while building an independent advisory practice. The role offers flexibility, continuity, and ongoing involvement with CEOs and business owners. This makes it a popular option for leaders who are not ready to fully retire but are seeking a meaningful next stage of career.
Unlike traditional executive coaching or consulting, Vistage Chairs facilitate confidential peer advisory groups where business leaders learn from each other’s experience and perspectives. The role combines coaching, facilitation, and business leadership within an established framework and methodology.
Vistage Chairs typically have 10+ years of senior leadership experience, strong commercial and financial acumen, a track record of leading teams, and the ability to coach and challenge senior business leaders effectively. Most candidates are former CEOs or senior executives looking to transition into a second career after significant leadership roles in the C-suite.
Rather than moving directly into retirement, the Chair role provides a structured next step for experienced leaders. You continue working with CEOs and business owners, stay engaged in senior leadership conversations, and build an independent advisory practice—while maintaining flexibility and autonomy.
Board roles focus on governance and strategic oversight, while the Vistage Chair role involves working directly with CEOs and business owners to improve decision-making through structured peer advisory groups. Many executives combine both as part of a broader portfolio career.
Lead leaders. Shape futures.
Evaluate whether becoming a Vistage Chair is your next step. Discover how to apply your leadership experience to guide executives toward greater success.
