Goldman Sachs' board has begun discussing a plan for president and COO John Waldron to succeed CEO David Solomon as early as late 2027 or 2028, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people at the firm. Waldron and Solomon joined the bank at the same time, and Waldron has long been viewed as next in line. In early 2025 the board offered both men an $80 million five-year retention award to keep them in place through the transition. Solomon is expected to remain chairman even after stepping back from the day-to-day CEO role. If Waldron takes the top job, the president and COO position would open up, with the two heads of global investment banking and the head of global asset management among the candidates.
Goldman Sachs Group IncBoard discusses a CEO succession plan for John Waldron, a governance/leadership transition with no clear positive or negative financial impact.
