Bias in executive hiring rarely announces itself: it hides in precedent, reputation and "fit". Owen Francis of Alumni Global, who works with universities and healthcare organisations on inclusive appointments, argues that process discipline helps make hiring fairer, and shares a 19-question checklist covering every stage from defining the role to reviewing the appointment.

Unconscious bias can still shape who reaches the top, even in executive search. Owen Francis of Alumni Global sets out eight biases that skew leadership hiring, from the halo effect and affinity bias to benchmarking bias, and five practical steps to counter them, from structured interviews and diverse panels to data-informed decisions and feedback.

Women still drop out of the leadership pipeline before reaching the top, especially in healthcare. Frank McKenna and Owen Francis of Alumni Global report from a panel held with the International Hospital Federation's Women in Leadership Forum, where Owen, Dr Jackie Schleifer Taylor of London Health Sciences Centre and Captain Emma Henderson MBE shared advice on flexibility, sponsorship, succession and authentic leadership.