The CEO Calendar Challenge 2027

Could you make the decisions that drive growth in a professional services firm?

What does a CEO or Managing Partner really prioritise during a working week? How do they balance client relationships, commercial opportunities, people management and strategic decisions?

The CEO Calendar Challenge 2027 invites professionals from across the sector to step into the shoes of a firmwide leader and explore what it takes to drive sustainable commercial growth.

Open to teams of three to five colleagues from the same professional services firm, this complimentary competition challenges participants to create a realistic five-day diary for the CEO or Managing Partner of a fictional firm.

You’ll decide which activities deserve leadership attention, what should be delegated and how to balance competing priorities. But there’s a twist! A surprise development midway through the fictional week will test your team’s judgement, adaptability and decision-making skills.

Why take part?

The challenge offers a unique opportunity to:

• -Develop strategic thinking: Understand how senior leaders make decisions that influence business growth.
• -Strengthen commercial awareness: Explore how leadership priorities create value for clients, colleagues and the firm.
• -Collaborate across functions: Work with colleagues from different departments and career stages to bring fresh perspectives to leadership decisions.
• -Put your judgement to the test: Respond to an unexpected challenge and demonstrate your team’s ability to adapt.
• -Gain valuable leadership exposure: Four shortlisted teams will have the opportunity for one team member to shadow an actual CEO or Managing Partner, followed by a full-team debrief.

How does the challenge work?

Stage 1: Create your CEO’s calendar

Develop a profile of a fictional professional services firm, build a realistic Monday-to-Friday CEO/Managing Partner diary and explain the thinking behind your leadership decisions.

Stage 2: Respond to the unexpected

On 1 January 2027, registered teams will receive a surprise development. You’ll need to revise the Wednesday-to-Friday diary, explain your response and reflect on what you’ve learned about firmwide leadership.

Entries will be assessed by members of the Growth Champions Club, with four teams shortlisted.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to professional services firms worldwide.

Teams must have three to five members from the same firm. Participation across different functions and career stages is encouraged, making this an opportunity for marketing, business development and other professional services colleagues to collaborate.

Board members and individuals reporting directly to the firm’s CEO or Managing Partner are not eligible to participate.

No previous management experience is required.

Recognition and rewards

The four shortlisted teams will receive valuable recognition, including:

• An opportunity for one team member from each shortlisted team to shadow a CEO or Managing Partner at another professional services firm, followed by a team debrief.
• Two complimentary places per shortlisted team at the Professional Services Management Excellence Awards 2027 dinner and ceremony.
• Recognition at the Awards ceremony in London on 18 March 2027, where the winning team and runner-up will be announced.

Key dates

• 1 December 2026: Competition opens
• 31 December 2026: Original entries locked
• 1 January 2027: Surprise challenge issued
• 31 January 2027: Final entry deadline
• 19 February 2027: Shortlist announced
• 18 March 2027: Awards dinner and ceremony, City of London
• April–May 2027: CEO/Managing Partner shadowing opportunities and team debriefs

Ready to take on the challenge?

Bring together your colleagues, test your leadership thinking and discover what it takes to make decisions that drive commercial growth.

Participation is complimentary.

Register your team and take on The CEO Calendar Challenge 2027.