Goldman Sachs is facing a major challenge in planning its chief executive succession, with the board having discussed the possibility of appointing John Waldron, the 57-year-old president and chief operating officer, to replace current CEO David Solomon, 64, as early as 2027, according to reports from CNBC and The Wall Street Journal. Under the plan, Solomon could move up to the role of executive chairman, and the matter could go to a board vote within the next few months. The key risk is that Solomon has shown no sign of stepping aside, while Waldron may not wait indefinitely; he previously discussed leadership opportunities at Apollo Global Management and Carlyle Group, prompting Goldman Sachs to grant him a retention pay package worth as much as 80 million dollars, or about 2.6 billion baht, that runs through 2030. In the first half of 2026, Goldman Sachs advised on mergers and acquisitions worth a combined total of more than 1 trillion dollars and posted equity trading revenue of more than 12 billion dollars, a record high. Since Solomon became CEO in 2018, Goldman Sachs shares have risen more than 300%.
Goldman Sachs Group IncCEO succession planning with Waldron as possible successor and Solomon possibly moving to executive chairman; no clear positive or negative driver.
Carlyle Group Inc
Apollo Global Management LLC Class A