The World’s Most Influential CEOs And Business Executives Of 2023

Who is the best CEO in the world? Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren E. Buffett, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, AT&T Inc’s John T. Stankey, or Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook? Well-known or unknown, these are the most successful, talented, and influential CEOs for long-term investors to watch as they build remarkable businesses that are worth holding for decades.

The world’s best chief executive officers (CEOs) typically aren’t the flashiest. They think beyond tomorrow’s share prices or the next earnings call to create lasting value. To compile our results, we collected data on nearly 3,000 CEOs worldwide and examined how CEOs of large public companies performed. The best CEO in the long haul turned out to be one who frequently underperformed in the short term — while continuing to make big bets on the future. The CEOs who made the 2023 list have undeniably been effective and influential.

So which global CEOs delivered solid results over the long run, and which business leaders would truly show strong performance? Our 2023 list of top performers provide an objective answer. However, our ranking does contain a few surprises. You’ll see some relatively unknown faces at the top.

​The CEOWORLD magazine has revealed its annual list of the world’s most influential chief executive officers (CEOs) and business executives. Unsurprisingly, James P. Gorman, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley, came first in the CEOWORLD magazine’s global ranking of the world’s best CEOs across all industries for 2023. The highest-ranking woman CEO is Karen S. Lynch, president and chief executive of CVS Health, who heads one of the largest healthcare companies in the world.

The 2023 rankings placed Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, in the second spot ahead of Amazon CEO Andy Jassy (No. 3), Apple CEO Tim Cook (No. 4), CVS Health’s CEO Karen S. Lynch (No. 5), and Aramco President and Chief Executive Officer Amin H. Nasser ranked sixth.

While UnitedHealth Group’s CEO Andrew Witty ranked seventh, and Darren W. Woods of Exxon Mobil Corporation eighth. Overall, among the world’s top 10 best CEOs and business executives for 2023, the ninth and tenth positions are held by Warren E. Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway Inc and Alphabet Inc. chief executive Sundar Pichai.

CVS Health’s CEO Karen S. Lynch (No. 5); Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance; Gail K. Boudreaux, CEO at Elevance Health; Mary Barra, Chair and Chief Executive Officer at General Motors; Sarah M. London, CEO at Centene; Fannie Mae’s Priscilla Almodovar; UPS’s Carol B. Tome; Citigroup’s Jane Fraser; Corie Barry of Best Buy; Susan Patricia Griffith of Progressive Corporation; Catherine Fiamma MacGregor of Engie; Thasunda Brown Duckett of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA); Oracle’s Safra Ada Catz; Phebe Novakovic of General Dynamics; Northrop Grumman’s Kathy J. Warden; Accenture’s Julie Sweet, PT Pertamina (Persero) CEO Nicke Widyawati; and Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc (No. 195) are the only 18 women to make the top 200 CEOs list this year.

Best CEOs In The World Of 2023

Methodology (The CEO Leaderboard): CEOWORLD magazine’s global ranking of the best chief executives for 2023 measured more than 1,200 CEOs across 96 countries. Taking a long view of business performance, the methodology is primarily based on the financial returns for the CEO’s entire tenure, which makes up 60 percent of the final ranking, as opposed to stock price and the current quarter’s numbers.

To calculate the final position, the additional 40 percent of a CEO’s ranking factors in a company’s track record on environmental, governance, and social issues, as well as market shares, change of market capitalization, and brand’s newsworthiness and impact.

Have you read?
Best Fashion Schools In The World For 2023.
Best Business Schools In The World For 2023.
The World’s Richest People (Top Billionaires, 2023).
World’s Most Influential and Innovative Companies, 2023.
Best Hospitality And Hotel Management Schools In The World For 2023.