Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway Chairman at 96

Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway at age 96, handing the board leadership role to his son Howard Buffett under the company’s long-standing succession plan.

Buffett will become chairman emeritus immediately and remain a member of Berkshire Hathaway’s board of directors. Susan Decker will continue serving as lead independent director, according to information shared by Coin Bureau and Berkshire Hathaway’s announcement on September 18, 2026.

The transition comes just over nine months after Greg Abel took over as Berkshire Hathaway’s chief executive officer, completing another major stage of the company’s planned leadership succession.

Howard Buffett Takes Over as Chairman

Howard Buffett will succeed his father as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway’s board. He has been a Berkshire director since 1993, according to the company’s announcement.

The change separates the company’s chairman and chief executive roles following Abel’s assumption of the CEO position. Warren Buffett will remain on the financial board after becoming chairman emeritus, allowing him to continue providing his judgment and perspective to the company.

Susan Decker will retain her position as lead independent director, maintaining continuity within Berkshire Hathaway’s board structure.

Transition Follows Greg Abel’s CEO Appointment

The chairman transition follows Abel’s move into the CEO role roughly nine months earlier. Abel, a longtime Berkshire executive, assumed responsibility for running the company while Buffett remained chairman.

The latest change moves Buffett further away from Berkshire Hathaway’s formal executive leadership while keeping him involved as a board member.

Berkshire Hathaway described Howard Buffett’s appointment as part of its long-standing succession plan rather than an unexpected change in leadership. The company’s announcement confirms that the new chairman takes the position immediately.

Buffett Reflects on His Time at Berkshire

Buffett addressed shareholders in a letter accompanying the leadership announcement. In the message highlighted by Coin Bureau, he wrote: “Time always wins, but it has been kind to me.”

The change marks another step in Buffett’s withdrawal from day-to-day leadership of Berkshire Hathaway after decades at the center of the company. He will nevertheless remain a director and shareholder.

Berkshire’s succession process has been developing over several years, with the transfer of the CEO role to Abel establishing the operational leadership structure before the latest board transition.

Warren Buffett Remains on Berkshire’s Board

Although Buffett is leaving the chairman position, his relationship with Berkshire Hathaway is not ending. The company said he will remain a board member as chairman emeritus.

The immediate leadership structure markets therefore places Howard Buffett in the chairman role, Greg Abel as chief executive and Susan Decker as lead independent director, while Warren Buffett remains on the board.

The latest appointment takes effect immediately, completing another stage of Berkshire Hathaway’s long-standing succession plan.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.