Many of those who prefer that the Chairman and CEO positions be combined agree that the outside directors should elect a lead director. This person is consulted by the Chair/CEO regarding board affairs and coordinates the annual evaluation of the CEO. The lead director position is very popular in the United Kingdom, where it originated. Of those U.S. companies combining the chairman and CEO positions, 96% had a lead director. This is one way to give the board more power without undermining the power of the Chair/CEO. The lead director becomes increasingly important because 94% of U.S. boards in 2006 (compared to only 41% in2002) held regular executives sessions without the CEO being present. Nevertheless, there are many ways in which an unscrupulous Chair/CEO can guarantee a director’s loyalty.