The Hidden Costs of Firing the CEO—Bloomberg on YouTube

When a CEO is shown the door, the true price extends far beyond a severance check. Drawing on Farient Advisors’ data and analysis, Bloomberg’s YouTube video below explores the financial and governance fallout of high-profile CEO transitions — from “make-whole” stock awards and retention bonuses to the unseen costs of lost productivity and disrupted strategy.

Bloomberg’s Matthew Boyle examines recent cases at major companies, including Starbucks, Intel, and Nike, to reveal just how expensive unplanned CEO departures can be. As turnover in the corner office rises, the findings underscore why boards must weigh leadership transitions carefully — and plan for them long before a crisis hits.

About Farient Advisors

Farient Advisors LLC is an independent premier executive compensation, performance, and corporate governance consultancy. Farient provides a full array of services, linking business strategy to compensation through a tailored, analytically rigorous, and collaborative approach. Farient has locations in Los Angeles, New York, and London and works with clients globally through its partnership in the Global Governance and Executive Compensation (GECN) Group. Farient is a certified diverse company and is recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.