The CEO Office's Revolving Door

Executive turnover has continued at a rapid pace to start the year, according management change research firm Liberum.

When compared with the numbers from the previous time frame last year, the turnover totals are not shockingly high, but they illustrate a continuing churn at the top executive ranks of public companies. CEO changes in January and February this year increased 16 percent, while CFO turnover increased 7 percent, while overall management changes increased a mere 1 percent.

The primary factors behind continuing high turnover numbers, according to Liberum, include: corporate performance and its relationship with key executives in charge; the rising complexities of business in general; growing domestic and international competition; increasing market instability; and the continuing subprime credit crisis.

Liberum’s database finds that a total of 264 CEO-related changes took place last month. Those include changes at Bemis Company, Dana Holdings Corporation, Heelys Inc., Helix Energy Solutions Group, and TempurPedic International, among others.