Which of the following is NOT a reason why the role of the chair of a company board is so important?

The chair's role is crucial in board governance for several reasons, including setting the agenda for discussions, ensuring that all directors contribute effectively, and leading the director selection process. Each of these duties underscores the chair's influence in shaping the board's effectiveness and the overall strategic direction of the company.

However, the assertion that the chair will usually also be the CEO does not accurately reflect the essential responsibilities of the chair. While it is common in some companies for the roles of chair and CEO to be held by the same individual, this is not a necessary condition for effective board functioning. In fact, many governance best practices advocate for the separation of these roles to promote independence and enhance accountability. Separating the roles can reduce the potential for power concentration and conflicts of interest, allowing for more effective oversight of management. Thus, the fact that the chair is often the CEO is not fundamentally linked to the importance of the chair's role in the board structure.