The Succession Paradox
Why Professional Services Firms Are Investing More in Succession Planning But Less Prepared
The Troubling Reality
Our 2025 survey of 30 professional services firm leaders reveals a paradox: despite unprecedented attention and investment in succession planning, firms are less prepared than they were six years ago. Succession readiness declined from 3.8 to 3.6 out of 6, even as 67% now give succession top priority.
Key Findings
Three Critical Challenges Reshaping Succession
The Talent Pipeline Crisis
It takes 7 to 10 years to develop partner-ready successors. Firms looking for qualified candidates today needed to start building them in 2015.
The Client Relationship Dilemma
Client expectations have exploded while 42% of trust still resides with individual partners. One departure and significant revenue is at risk.
The Complete Skills Inversion
People leadership jumped from 45% to 78% importance while technical excellence dropped from 40% to 17%. Yet most firms still train for yesterday's challenges.
What You'll Learn in the Full Report
- Why attention without systematic action produces activity, not results
- The five implementation steps successful firms are taking now
- How the succession landscape shifted from 2019 to 2025
- Strategic frameworks for the internal succession vs. external sale decision
- Complete research methodology and analysis from 30 firm leaders
Download the Complete White Paper
Get the full analysis, detailed findings, and actionable recommendations for building succession capacity in your firm.
Complete the form below to receive your copy.