Who is Greg Abel, Warren Buffett's successor at Berkshire Hathaway
What's the story
Warren Buffett (95), the world's most successful investor, retired from Berkshire Hathaway on December 31, 2025. After more than six decades at the helm of the conglomerate, he has been succeeded by Greg Abel as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Buffett has transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a struggling textile company into a $1 trillion conglomerate with shares exceeding $750,000 apiece.
Career path
Abel's journey with Berkshire Hathaway
Abel, 63, joined Berkshire Hathaway in 2000 when it acquired MidAmerican Energy. He has been serving as the vice chairman since 2018 and oversees non-insurance businesses such as BNSF railroad and retailers like Fruit of the Loom and See's Candies. Despite working from Des Moines, Iowa, about 217km east of Omaha where the company is headquartered, Abel has been an important part of its operations.
Leadership approach
Abel's management style and qualifications
Abel is known as a more hands-on manager than Buffett. However, he has assured that he will respect the company's culture that allows businesses to run largely autonomously. Buffett had previously praised Abel as a "great manager, a tireless worker and an honest communicator." A trained accountant from the University of Alberta, Abel started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and CalEnergy before joining MidAmerican Energy in 1992.
Corporate involvement
Abel's board service and stock ownership
Abel has served on the boards of The Kraft Heinz Company, AEGIS Insurance Services, and AEGIS London. He was also a director and vice chair of Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited. According to Reuters, Abel owns about $170 million worth of Berkshire stock. Abel's exact net worth is not public, but it is believed to exceed $1 billion largely due to an $870 million sale of his stake in Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2022.
Personal life
Abel's personal interests and philanthropic efforts
Outside his professional commitments, Abel is known to be a die-hard hockey fan. In 2014, he participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS awareness. The challenge involved him getting drenched with water by a Berkshire Hathaway Energy employee while he gave a thumbs up to the camera.