CEO turnover surged to three-year high in July

“There were at least three CEO changes last month prompted by poor financial performance, including Zynga.”

So far, there have been 729 CEO changes, 5.3 percent more than the 692 recorded in the first seven months of last year.

{mosads}Health companies, which include medical diagnostic manufacturers, imaging software developers and hospitals, produced the bulk of July’s total with 34 changes, 17 of which came from hospitals and hospital systems. 

Healthcare continues to lead all sectors in CEO turnover with 151, 7.8 percent more than the 140 recorded through July 2012.

Government and nonprofit organizations announced 20 CEO changes in July and 98 for the year. Financial firms follow, with 19 departures last month and 92 for the year — a 61.4 percent increase from the 57 tracked through July 2012.

The computer industry announced 15 departures in July for a total this year of 77.

One of the most notable CEO changes last month came from struggling game developer Zynga, who replaced founder Mark Pincus with former Xbox head Don Mattrick.

Retirement was the top reason for leaving in July, with 41 announcing retirement to bring the year’s total to 162. 

Resignation followed with 30, bringing the yearly total to 202.