You are in a very progressive company, I think. It's a good thing given the current economic climate, and how quickly things are evolving from a social structure standpoint mixed with the rapid growth of technology. Plus, your customers are profiting off of the work your group is doing up front, from both an earnings standpoint and a productive/long term partnership that doesn't require fiddling around with new partnerships consistently.
The majority of companies in this area of the world are still stuck in the 1990's (at best?? maybe I'm being too generous lol). Promotions to leadership roles typically are given out as rewards, not a recognition of talent per se. Good old boys, as it were, are moved into these roles continue to enforce a declining mindset regarding new ideas and better ways to enforce a more positive culture and positive relationship with external customers. HR departments just manage the status quo; the good old boys bring in other good old boys who move into additional executive roles. The progressive types with better ideas are generally forced into subordinate roles and have two options : tread the proverbial corporate waters or leave (and the cycle goes on, and on, and on...)
Now I'm wandering a bit here, sorry...but I think you've given me an idea for future blog posts. Oh, and maybe I should start looking for a new job again