--- title: Sterling Black | Expert Advisers to CEOs, Chairs and Boards description: Sterling Black advises CEOs, chairs and boards on CEO performance, succession and the assessment of senior leaders, with a focus on the decisions that most affect business results. image: https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/board-ceo-c-suite-leadership-firm-home-feature-image.jpg --- [![Sterling Black](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/sterlingblack_july2025/images/header-logo.png)](https://sterlingblack.com/) Menu Services [CEO Advisory](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-advisory)[CEO Succession](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-succession-planning)[Board Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/board-effectiveness)[CEO & C-Suite Leadership Assessments](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-c-suite-leadership-assessments)[CEO Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-coaching)[C-Suite Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/c-suite-coaching)[Executive Team Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/executive-team-effectiveness)[Inspiring Leadership Communications](https://sterlingblack.com/inspiring-leadership-communications) People [James McLaren](https://sterlingblack.com/people/james-mclaren)[Our team](https://sterlingblack.com/people)[Executive Team Facilitators](https://sterlingblack.com/facilitators) [About](https://sterlingblack.com/about) [Sterling Insights](https://sterlingblack.com/blog) [Start a confidential conversation](https://sterlingblack.com#conversation) # Expert advisers to CEOs, chairs and boards. Sterling Black advises CEOs on the decisions, relationships and leadership challenges that have the greatest bearing on business performance. We also work with chairs and boards on CEO effectiveness, succession and the assessment of senior leaders. With over 30 years of experience setting the gold standard in top-tier leadership development. [Start a confidential conversation](https://sterlingblack.com#conversation) [CEO succession and board advisory](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-succession-planning) CEO advisory ## A sounding board for the decisions that matter. CEOs deal with decisions that affect strategy, performance, people and shareholder confidence. Many of the most consequential questions cannot be resolved through another internal meeting or by asking people who have a stake in the answer. [About CEO advisory →](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-advisory) Our solutions ## Sterling Black provides an experienced, independent perspective. We challenge assumptions, examine options and help CEOs decide what to do, how to approach it and what it will take to make it work. We offer practical, high-impact assessment, coaching and advisory services. ### CEO performance Judgement, leadership effectiveness, decision-making and personal impact. ### CEO transitions Taking on a new role, establishing credibility and setting the direction for the business. ### Executive-team performance Alignment, accountability, conflict and the capacity to execute strategy. ### CEO succession Assessing candidates, preparing successors and supporting boards through critical decisions. Why Sterling Black ## Senior experience. Sound judgement. Evidence. Sterling Black combines direct experience working with CEOs and boards with a structured approach to assessing leadership effectiveness. The work is grounded in the realities of running an organisation, not a standard programme or a prescribed coaching model. ## Our clients ![Siemens](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/siemens.png)![GE](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/ge.png)![Honeywell](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/honeywell.png)![IBM](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/IBM.png)![J.P. Morgan](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/J.P.%20Morgan.png)![Goldman Sachs](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Goldman%20Sachs.png)![Citibank](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Citibank.png)![Johnson & Johnson](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Johnson%20%26%20Johnson.png)![HP](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/HP.png)![KPMG](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/KPMG.png)![Grant Thornton](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Grant%20Thornton.png)![Rio Tinto](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Rio%20Tinto.png)![Ashurst Perkins Coie](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/ashurst-perkins-coie.png)![Westpac](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Westpac.png)![Telstra](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Client%20Logos/Telstra.png)![QBE](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/qbe.png)![Australian Government](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/2026-10%20refresh/australian-government.png) CEO succession and board advisory ## Some leadership decisions have consequences for years. CEO succession, executive assessment and board effectiveness deserve their own prominent section. These are board-level decisions with implications for strategy, continuity and organisational value. [CEO succession advisory](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-succession-planning) ![](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/Solutions/Feature%20Images/board-effectiveness-feature-image.jpg) ![James McLaren](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Website/People/james-mclaren-profile.png) Your adviser ## James McLaren — CEO adviser and succession specialist. James advises CEOs, chairs and boards on the leadership decisions that have the greatest bearing on business performance. He brings 35 years of experience in organisational psychology, including 25 years specialising in CEO Advisory, CEO succession and CEO development. He has worked across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Asia, with organisations ranging from major global corporations to growing businesses. Based in the Middle East, working internationally. [James’s full profile →](https://sterlingblack.com/people/james-mclaren) Perspectives from the work ## Recent insights from Sterling Black. ### [![What separates effective executive coaching from expensive conversations](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/effective-executive-coaching-vs-mentoring.jpg) What separates effective executive coaching from expensive conversations While characteristics like active listening, facilitating learning, and earning trust and respect are important in an executive coach, progress can still be non-existent if your coach doesn’t do one... Read more](https://sterlingblack.com/blog/effective-executive-coaching-vs-mentoring-vs-facilitating) ### [![Why modern executive coaching demands better intelligence](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20Images/modern-executive-coaching-demands-better-intelligence.jpg) Why modern executive coaching demands better intelligence What if the executive coaching your business is investing in isn’t solving the right problems? Globally, businesses spend more than USD 105 billion on executive coaching and leadership development... Read more](https://sterlingblack.com/blog/executive-coaching-demands-better-intelligence) ### [![Why succession planning fails: 6 board-level mistakes to avoid](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20Images/why-succession-planning-fails.jpg) Why succession planning fails: 6 board-level mistakes to avoid Summary To avoid the pitfalls of failed succession planning, boards should: Start early – at least 2 years, but ideally 3–5 years, before a transition. Treat succession as a development process, not... Read more](https://sterlingblack.com/blog/why-succession-planning-fails) A direct invitation ## A confidential conversation about the issue you’re facing. If you are considering a CEO advisory relationship, a succession decision or an assessment of your executive team, I would welcome a conversation. [![Sterling Black](https://sterlingblack.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/sterlingblack_july2025/images/header-logo.png)](https://sterlingblack.com/) #### [Contact](https://sterlingblack.com/contact) **UAE HEAD OFFICE** The Offices 3 Level 3 One Central Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai United Arab Emirates **AUSTRALIA** Level 22, Suite 3 8 Chifley Square SYDNEY, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 8916 6366 #### Services [CEO Advisory](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-advisory)[Board Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/board-effectiveness)[CEO Succession](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-succession-planning)[CEO & C-Suite Leadership Assessments](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-c-suite-leadership-assessments)[CEO Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/ceo-coaching)[C-Suite Coaching](https://sterlingblack.com/c-suite-coaching)[Executive Team Effectiveness](https://sterlingblack.com/executive-team-effectiveness)[Inspiring Communications](https://sterlingblack.com/inspiring-leadership-communications) #### [About](https://sterlingblack.com/about) We are a specialist Board, CEO and C-Suite firm bringing together the world’s most experienced practitioners. 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