Succession Planning Has a Blind Spot | Farient Briefings
September 29, 2026
Succession Planning Has a Blind Spot
Some boards have spent years preparing for CEO succession. But what if the bigger risk is losing key talent before a succession plan is launched?
New research from Corporate Board Member and Farient Advisors reveals how directors are rethinking readiness, retention risk, leadership pipelines, and the growing connection between talent strategy, succession outcomes, and then compensation.
The takeaway: having a successor is not enough. Boards increasingly need visibility into the broader leadership ecosystem that surrounds that successor.
Read “Paying for Succession” to explore the next evolution of succession planning and why some directors believe the future lies at the intersection of talent, compensation, and predictive analytics.
D100 Recognizes Farient Founder
Robin A. Ferracone, founder and CEO of Farient Advisors, has been named to the prestigious NACD Directorship 100™ (D100), an annual list recognizing the most influential leaders in corporate governance and the boardroom.
For decades, Ferracone has helped boards navigate increasingly complex challenges at the intersection of strategy, performance, and pay. Her thought leadership, research, and advisory work continue to shape boardroom conversations on issues ranging from succession planning and executive compensation to long-term value creation.
The honor continues an extraordinary streak of recognition for Farient. Past D100 honorees from Farient Advisors include Managing Partner Richard J. (RJ) Bannister Jr., Partner Dayna Harris, and Partner Marc Hodak.
The 2026 NACD Directorship 100™ honorees will be celebrated at the NACD Directorship 100™ Gala on Monday, December 7, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The black-tie event brings together directors, governance professionals, business leaders, and policymakers for an evening dedicated to excellence in board leadership.
The View From Our London Office
Beyond the Cap: New Dynamics of Executive Exits Raise Considerations for Remuneration Committees
Executive exits in the UK are about to get more expensive—and more complicated. From 1 January 2027, employment-law reforms are expected to remove the statutory cap on unfair dismissal awards. For high-paid executives, that changes the math fast. And, for Remuneration Committees, the old playbook may not be enough. Salary, notice, bonus, and LTIP treatment were already sensitive. Add uncapped claims into a market of rising UK executive pay, and the stakes climb fast.
What changes now? Exit negotiations are entering new territory. Boards should expect sharper claims, tougher settlements and more scrutiny when top jobs turn over.
Read moreWhere to Find Us
Future-Ready Compensation: Linking Pay to the Talent Agenda
Gaylord National Harbor and Convention Center
October 13, 2026
Farient Managing Partner R.J. Bannister brings a future-ready lens to one of the board’s most urgent questions: how pay should support the talent agenda. Directors will gain practical ways to pressure-test incentive plans, align rewards with evolving talent needs, and bring sharper questions back to their compensation committees. From Bannister and fellow panelists KPMG’s Annalisa Barrett and public company director Katina Dorton, expect timely insights, peer perspectives, and takeaways boards can use before the next talent decision lands on the agenda.
Stay updated on the latest topics shaping compensation and remuneration committee agendas in the new year. Follow us on LinkedIn and share Farient Briefings with your colleagues.
About Farient Advisors
Farient Advisors LLC, a GECN Group company, is an independent premier executive compensation, performance, and corporate governance consultancy. Farient provides a full array of services linking business and talent strategy to compensation through a tailored, analytically rigorous, and collaborative approach. Farient has locations in New York, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, London, and Louisville, 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.
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