Goldman Sachs Is Lining Up Its Next Boss
Goldman Sachs's board has talked about a plan for John Waldron to replace David Solomon as CEO around the end of 2027 or in 2028. The plan was described in reporting published Sept. 29, 2026, naming Waldron as the intended next CEO. Wall Street Journal It is a discussed plan for a future handoff, not a final move.
That timing matches across recent reports. The Sept. 29 reporting pointed to late next year as the earliest point for a change, a window also carried in a Sept. 28 summary. Reuters Another report dated Sept. 29 put the expected handoff at the end of 2027 or in 2028. Financial Times For now, the focus is a 2027-2028 window.
Under the plan as most recently described, Solomon could stay for a year or two as executive chair after stepping down as CEO. Financial Times That means leading the board without running daily work. The current job titles are in Goldman's 2026 proxy statement, the yearly paper for shareholders, which lists Solomon as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Waldron as President and Chief Operating Officer. Goldman Sachs proxy statement
The broader context here is how big firms pick the next boss from inside. Like a relay team naming the next runner early, the board names a deputy with a long public lead time. That gives directors choice and time to watch him closely, hand over daily work in steps, and agree who does what after the switch. Titles still decide who is in charge.
Looking at what this means for oversight, the executive-chair setup does a clear job. It keeps experience around while formally passing power to the new CEO. In practice four things matter. Clear job description. Who decides what. How long the overlap lasts. How pay is linked. Those decide whether it helps the handoff or limits the new boss.
In my view, the date matters more than the name. A 2027-2028 plan talked about in 2026 leaves a long wait. That steadies expectations inside the bank and planning outside it. It also puts focus on results now, since shifts in performance, staff moves or board makeup tend to be seen as part of the leadership story whether directors want that or not.
For everyday savers and investors, the mechanics are simple. Talk alone does not change who is legally in charge. Until any appointment and any related committee or rule change is made, current reporting lines stay. This is about future planning, not current control. It works only if the board sets a clean split of power at the handoff.
