Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway Chairman; Son Howard to Take Helm

Fresno Visalia, CA, September 18, 2026 —

Warren Buffett, the influential investor and chairman of the $1 trillion conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, is stepping down from his role as chairman. This transition is part of a succession plan that has been in development for an extended period.

Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett’s oldest son, is set to assume the position of chairman. The announcement signals a significant shift in leadership at the iconic investment company, though specific details regarding the timing of the transition were not provided.

Following his departure from the chairman role, Warren Buffett will move into the position of chairman emeritus. This emeritus status typically allows a former leader to retain a connection with the company without the day-to-day operational responsibilities.

Greg Abel will continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Berkshire Hathaway. Abel’s position as CEO remains unaffected by this leadership change at the board level. The company has emphasized that this leadership evolution is a result of a deliberate and long-planned succession strategy.

Berkshire Hathaway, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the world’s largest holding companies, with extensive investments across various sectors including insurance, energy, railroads, manufacturing, and retail. The firm’s valuation is noted to be approximately $1 trillion. The leadership transition at the top is a key event for the company and its stakeholders, marking the end of an era under Buffett’s direct chairmanship and the beginning of a new chapter guided by his son and the existing CEO.

Story summarized from the original created by Ben Hensley on thebusinessjournal.com, see more information here.

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