Warren Buffett, the iconic investor and former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has been appointed chairman emeritus, effective September 18, 2026. He will remain on the Board of Directors, continuing to provide his insights. This move follows his recent 96th birthday and marks a significant step in the company's long-standing succession plan. Buffett, who has served Berkshire Hathaway since 1965, expressed confidence in the company's future leadership.
In line with the succession plan, the Board of Directors has elected Howard G. Buffett, Warren's son, as the new Chairman of the Board. Howard has been a Berkshire director since 1993 and will be responsible for safeguarding the company's culture and values. Greg Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO earlier this year, praised Warren's unparalleled impact on Berkshire Hathaway and emphasized Howard's role in preserving the company's core principles. Susan L. Decker will continue her role as Lead Independent Director.
Warren Buffett highlighted that his son's 33 years as a director provided a longer apprenticeship than his own before he took the reins at age 34. Howard G. Buffett also brings extensive experience from his role as Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, focusing on global food security, and his past directorships in various public and private companies including Archer Daniels Midland and The Coca-Cola Company. Warren Buffett, whose net worth is valued at $145 billion, described his son as a "policy the shareholders own and hope never to claim against," underscoring his deep trust in Howard's leadership. Berkshire Hathaway's common stock trades on the NYSE under symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.
