How sharing the CEO role can help you weather any storm.

How sharing the CEO role can help you weather any storm.

Industry: FMCG
Roleshare: Leadership

We've all heard the saying "two heads are better than one." But when it comes to running a business, is that really true?

For Charlotte Harrington and Natalie Campbell MBE, the answer is a resounding yes. The pair are full-time co-CEOs of Belu Water. "Being a CEO is a lonely place to be," says Charlotte. "Sharing the role helped us come out of the pandemic better than we would have solo."

Sharing the role of CEO has helped them be more resilient and strategic, and has allowed them to make decisions quickly and with strong conviction. Job sharing has also brought diversity of thought to the top, something that is essential for any organisation. Harrington says "if you can share the co-CEO role you can share any role."

With the right partner, job sharing can be an incredibly rewarding experience. If you are considering job sharing, or are already in a job share arrangement, here are some things to keep in mind:



  1. Find the right partner - It's important to find a partner who you can trust and who has complementary skills. You should also make sure that you are on the same page when it comes to your goals for the job share.
  2. Communication is key - clear and regular communication is essential for any job share arrangement to work well. This includes communicating with your co-share, as well as your team and organisation.e flexible - job shares can be flexible, so it’s important to be open to change and adaptability. This includes being willing to change your hours or days worked, depending on what works best for everyone involved.
  3. Set boundaries - it’s important to set boundaries with your co-share, so that you can both enjoy the partnership. This might include work values, job roles or hours worked.
  4. Trust is key - job sharing can only work if there is trust between the co-shares. This means trusting each other to do your fair share of the work, as well as being able to rely on each other when needed.
  5. Make the most of your differences - job shares can be successful because of the different strengths and perspectives that each person brings. Embrace these differences and use them to your advantage!

Job shares are becoming more popular as people look for ways to better balance their work and life commitments. "If you're looking for a job share arrangement you're not alone - literally!" says Sophie Smallwood. She is the co-Founder of Roleshare, a platform that helps companies re-deploy, retain and hire diverse talent in mid to senior roles through job share. "Job share can be an excellent way to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. It is also a great way to retain top talent who might otherwise leave due to the demands of a traditional job" says Smallwood.

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