RISE OF THE YOUNG TECH CEO

With startups led by digital natives, the tech sector is pioneering a new leadership model

- BY CHRIS REDMOND Special to Gulf News

The technology industry stands out among global business sectors due to its notable trend of younger individuals in key leadership positions.

This phenomenon is supported by data indicating a substantial generational shift within technology companies worldwide. Compared to more traditional industries like finance, manufacturing, or health care, the tech sector is increasingly shaped by youthful executives and entrepreneurs who are steering their organisations to new heights with their pioneering mindset and innovative modern leadership styles.

A recent report by the consulting firm Korn Ferry indicates that the average age of CEOs within the technology sector globally is now significantly lower than counterparts in other major industries, averaging between 35 and 45 years old, compared to an average age of over 50 in sectors like finance or energy.

Several high-profile examples illustrate this shift clearly. Mark Zuckerberg famously founded Facebook (now Meta) in his early 20s and became one of the youngest-ever Fortune 500 CEOs. Evan Spiegel co-founded Snapchat at age 21, rapidly transforming it into a significant global platform. More recently, young leaders like Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum at just 19, have disrupted traditional finance through blockchain technology.