Chair of the board

Chair of the board

Highest-ranking member of a Board of Directors, who presides over its meetings and who is often the most powerful officer of a corporation.

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Chair of the board

In a publicly-traded company, the highest ranking member of the board of directors. The chair is elected by the board, presides over meetings, and acts as a liaison between management and shareholders. The chair has the responsibility to ensure that the company's policies are being properly enforced to benefit shareholders. As such, he/she guides the board in establishing general policies for the organization, including dividend policies, and hiring or firing major executives. He/she is answerable to shareholders for his/her decisions, but is, in general, the most powerful officer in the company.