Did You Misplace Your Chief Data Officer?

In Europe, the role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) is still finding its place in the executive suite.

In contrast to the U.S., where CDOs are more commonly seated at the C-level, many European companies are lagging behind. Take France, for example—CFOs and CTOs dominate the boardroom, but where’s the CDO?

Why? Because data is still viewed as a technical issue rather than a strategic asset.

The truth? Data shouldn’t be siloed under the CTO. It’s not just technology—it’s vision, strategy, and competitive advantage. It’s the fuel for innovation across every function in the business. Yet, in many European organizations, data is still relegated to a back-office function.

What’s the risk?

Industries like financial services, telecom, and retail have embraced the CDO role because they rely heavily on data. But in traditional sectors—like manufacturing—the adoption is slower. And that hesitation could leave them behind in a data-driven economy.

The cultural challenge is real too. In countries like Germany and France, traditional corporate structures make it tough to introduce new C-level roles. The focus on privacy and compliance also means Data Protection Officers (DPOs) often take priority over CDOs. But while DPOs are crucial, they don’t bring the strategic data leadership that a CDO can.

Here’s the reality:

Data is the key competitive differentiator of the future.

Companies that place data leadership at the heart of decision-making will thrive in this new, data-driven world. Only 17% of European CDOs are on executive committees today, a modest increase from 9% in 2022. But that number is still far too low.

It’s time to rethink where your CDO fits in—or whether you even have one.