Overview
- Reports say the board is finalizing a blueprint that would name President and COO John Waldron CEO in late 2027 or 2028, with the details described as still fluid and unconfirmed by Goldman.
- Under the reported proposal, David Solomon would move to an executive chairman role for one to two years to provide continuity during the handover.
- Goldman has already begun operational changes tied to the plan, with Finance Chief Denis Coleman taking on many of Waldron’s duties and overseeing the firmwide AI productivity program OneGS 3.0.
- The expected promotion would open the presidency and has prompted an internal race for the No. 2 job, with Marc Nachmann, Ashok Varadhan and Dan Dees named as leading contenders.
- The move follows steps taken to lock in senior talent after outside interest in Waldron, including the $80 million retention awards in January 2025 and Waldron’s addition to the board, and could affect leadership of key business lines and employee retention.