Non-executive chairman – also a separate post from the CEO, unlike an executive chairman, a non-executive chairman does not interfere in day-to-day company matters. Across the world, many companies have separated the roles of chairman and CEO, often resulting in a non-executive chairman, saying that this move improves corporate governance. The non-executive chairman's duties are typically limited to matters directly related to the board, such as:
Chairing the meetings of the board.
Organizing and coordinating the board's activities, such as by setting its annual agenda.
Reviewing and evaluating the performance of the CEO and the other board members.
Many U.S. companies have an executive chairman, and this method of organization is sometimes called the American model. Having a non-executive chair is common in the United Kingdom and Canada, and is sometimes called the British model. Expert opinion is rather evenly divided over which is the preferable model overall.
Companies with both an executive chairman and a CEO include Ford, HSBC, Google, HP and Apple.