Berkshire Hathaway is seeing its biggest shake-up in decades. Warren Buffett watchers say it's just the start.

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway is undergoing its most significant management restructuring in decades, with notable changes including a surprise exit and a retirement, as Warren Buffett prepares to step down as CEO after 60 years [1] Management Changes - Greg Abel, currently leading Berkshire's non-insurance operations, is set to succeed Buffett as CEO on January 1 [1] - Marc Hamburg, Berkshire's finance chief for nearly 40 years, will transition his responsibilities to Charles Chang by June 2026, while delaying his retirement until June 2027 to facilitate a smooth handover [3] - Adam Johnson has been appointed president of Berkshire's 32 consumer products, service, and retail businesses, which include well-known brands like See's Candies and Fruit of the Loom [6] Leadership Dynamics - Carolyn Dewar from McKinsey emphasized that a leadership shuffle often accompanies a CEO transition, highlighting the importance of aligning the top team for future strategies [2] - John Longo compared the situation to a new football coach wanting to install his own coordinators, indicating a potential shift in leadership style and strategy [2] - David Kass noted that Abel is expected to appoint someone to oversee large businesses, similar to the structure of Berkshire-owned Marmon [8] Key Appointments - Nancy Pierce has been named CEO of Geico, succeeding Todd Combs, who is leaving to join JPMorgan [9][12] - Michael O'Sullivan will become Berkshire's first general counsel, marking a significant evolution in the company's legal structure [12] Future Outlook - There is speculation about further changes in senior leadership, with expectations of more turnover as the company transitions to a post-Buffett era [14] - Concerns have been raised about the potential for key leaders to leave, as many may prefer to work under Buffett rather than his successor [14][15]