The analysis from recruitment firm Robert Half shows that 19 companies of the FTSE 100 are involved in the finance sector, with two-fifths, 42%, of overall CEOs having a background in finance and banking.

Robert Half stated that it was common for companies to promote more chief financial officers (CFOs) to the top jobs during periods of financial disruption or downturn and that the financial crash of 2008 explains the high proportion of CEOs with a background in finance.