Waldron Will Succeed Solomon as Goldman CEO

The Goldman Sachs board plans to appoint John Waldron as chief executive officer as early as next year.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Business Strategy

Isometric editorial illustration of a brass finial and steel vault handle, representing institutional structure and corporate continuity. — The Goldman Sachs board of directors is preparing a succession plan that would transition John Waldron into the CEO position, replacing David Solomon by 2028. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Goldman Sachs board has discussed a succession plan to transition John Waldron into the role of CEO, replacing David Solomon. The change could take place as early as 2027 or 2028, pending board approval in the coming months.

Why it matters

Establishing a clear leadership transition path provides stability for the investment firm as it manages long-term institutional strategy. This move signals a deliberate approach to executive oversight and continuity.

CEO David Solomon is currently 64 years old, with the planned succession model requiring he serve as executive chairman for a duration of 1 or 2 years. Board approval of the total succession plan is anticipated in the coming months.

The players

David Solomon

He is the 64-year-old chief executive officer of the Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

John Waldron

He is the executive currently slated to succeed David Solomon as the chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

This is a global financial institution that is currently preparing for a multi-year leadership transition.

The details

The board has deliberated on a plan that would see John Waldron elevate to the chief executive position. Under the proposed structure, David Solomon would step down from his current post to serve as executive chairman for a period of up to two years.

Board approval for the succession plan is expected in the coming months.
The leadership change could occur as early as 2027.
The transition may conclude toward the end of 2028.

Market Landscape

The firm is navigating a long-term succession strategy that reflects the standard operational rhythm of major Wall Street investment banks. This process follows the structural pattern of leadership transitions previously established by the 2018 Goldman Sachs transition from Lloyd Blankfein to David Solomon.

The proposed leadership transition does not immediately change daily retail banking services or consumer fee structures. Clients should monitor firm communications for any potential changes to institutional investment strategies as the executive timeline firms up.

The takeaway

Large financial firms prioritize long-term transition windows to maintain investor confidence and operational stability during leadership changes. Shareholders and stakeholders typically view these planned successions as a sign of institutional health and risk management.