This study analyzes 424 open source reported incidents targeting senior private-sector executives between 2003 and late 2025, highlighting a sustained and accelerating rise in both physical and cyber threats. Physical attacks dominate (85%), and one-third of all incidents resulted in injury or death. Incident frequency has surged since 2023, with 2025 already doubling 2024 totals by October, marking the highest level on record. Targeting increasingly occurs at workplaces and residences, with protest-driven activity driving growth at public events.
CEOs remain the primary targets, but attacks on other senior executives are rising, particularly in the technology and financial sectors. While most victims are male, targeting of female executives has increased sharply since 2021, reaching record levels in 2025. Most assailants are strangers, though insider-related threats from current or former employees are becoming more common. Activism and criminal motives account for nearly three-quarters of incidents, while personal grievance cases—though less frequent—are the most dangerous, with a high likelihood of weapon involvement.
This report is being released to the public out of an overabundance of caution and concern. The findings are so startling, we feel a duty of care responsibility to release this information. It is being released in order to alert business leaders to the increasing risk.
Download the full report below.
