A Death at Jefferies Highlights Urgency of C-Suite Backup Plans

Like all aspects of society, the rules of the C-suite are being rewritten under the pressure of a deadly pandemic.

Professionals who help companies ensure leadership continuity say the coronavirus crisis has added a new urgency to their work. Some say clients are mulling whether to further isolate key executives; other clients have made private jets a given for top leaders who still travel; some have scattered top lieutenants across the globe as an added precaution. At least one is poised to hire a new chief executive officer largely by video interviews.

“Just as the virus cascades deeper into a ...