Howard Buffett Named Berkshire Hathaway Chairman
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Howard Buffett Named Berkshire Hathaway Chairman
- Howard Buffett, son of legendary investor Warren Buffett, has taken over as the non-executive chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, effective September 18, 2026, succeeding his 96-year-old father who became chairman emeritus.
- Howard, 71, has had a diverse career as a farmer, philanthropist, and even a former sheriff, and has served on Berkshire's board for 33 years since 1993.
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Howard Buffett, 71, has been appointed the new non-executive chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, following his father Warren Buffett’s decision to step down from the role on September 18, 2026. Warren Buffett, 96, will now serve as chairman emeritus and remain a director, marking a significant leadership transition for the conglomerate. Greg Abel, who assumed the CEO position at the beginning of 2026, continues to be responsible for the company’s operations.
Howard Buffett’s career path has been notably different from his father’s, focusing on farming, philanthropy, and even law enforcement. He manages a 1,500-acre family farm in Illinois and a 400-acre farm in Nebraska, with a strong emphasis on conservation agriculture, including no-till farming. His philanthropic endeavors are primarily channeled through the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, established in 1999, which focuses on global food security, conflict mitigation, and combating human trafficking. The foundation has been a major supporter of Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion, providing over $1.4 billion in aid by May 2026 for humanitarian assistance, agricultural infrastructure, and mine clearance.
Howard Buffett’s role as chairman will be distinct from his father’s, primarily focusing on safeguarding Berkshire’s long-standing culture and values rather than day-to-day management or investment decisions. This succession plan has been in the works for over a decade, with Warren Buffett expressing his desire for Howard to eventually become non-executive chairman to protect the company’s integrity. Howard has been a Berkshire director since 1993, providing him with extensive experience within the company.