CXO Summit: Why Cross-Functional Leadership Matters

The CXO Summit got underway in London on 7th October, opening with a keynote address from Stacy Green, Chief People and Sustainability Officer of BizClik.

Speaking to an audience of senior executives, Stacy explored the distinct realities of executive leadership, cross-functional communication and the practical challenges of driving meaningful organisational change.

When functions talk past each other

The opening keynote brought together leaders from across finance, strategy, marketing and HR, all in one room.

Yet despite sharing the same overarching goals, Stacy noted that these functions frequently speak very different languages.

"When finance says it, it means no. When marketing says it, it means yes, we can do this with a much bigger budget, and when the people function says it, it means please close the door behind you," she says.

"A technology investment changes how people work. A financial decision affects what teams can deliver, a marketing promise becomes an operational commitment and a growth target needs people with the skills, capacity and competence."

The weight of executive leadership

Executive leadership, Stacy acknowledged, often comes with high expectations.

"You're expected to have a clear vision, make difficult decisions, inspire people and stay calm, even before your first coffee of the day," she adds.

She went on to share her guiding principle of "clarity is kindness" – encouraging leaders to define precise objectives, establish clear ownership and outline what success looks like.

"The conversations here today and tomorrow are an opportunity to practice that openness... and perhaps change your own minds."

Stepping outside your own function

To close out her keynote, Stacy recommended that leaders attend at least one session outside their own function.

Sessions at the CXO Summit include the Future of AI in Marketing, which explores how leaders are implementing AI responsibly to accelerate growth, enhance customer experience and improve operational efficiency, and the CMO Summit on day two of the event, which brings together senior leaders to examine strategic priorities, cross-functional alignment and marketing's impact on commercial performance.

Keynote speakers, meanwhile, include Ashley Gatehouse, Chief Marketing Officer of Accenture Edge, Jasper Martens, Chief Marketing Officer of PensionBee and Lisette Danesi, Global Chief People Officer, Corporate Functions at WPP.

Concluding her talk, Stacy offers her advice to attendees, saying: "Enjoy the next few days, make new connections, ask good questions and take something useful back to your business."

Thank you to our sponsors Alexander Group, HiBob and Malt.