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In the News
Navigating the Future of Executive Pay—Directors & Boards
The complexity of business is matched by the intricacies in today’s executive pay packages. During a recent Directors & Boards webinar, industry leaders, including Farient CEO Robin A. Ferracone and Public Company Director Lakecia Gunter, explored the future of best practices and how compensation committees are adapting. “One of the…
Read More > 10.02.2025
In the News
The Cost and Considerations for External Executive Candidates—Directorship Magazine
With CEO and CFO turnover reaching record levels, directors are becoming more focused on talent strategy. This has added additional pressure for directors to weigh the benefits of promoting internal leaders with the risks and costs of hiring externally. According to Farient Advisors’ analysis, nearly 90 percent of new S&P…
Read More > 09.30.2025
In the News
What CEO Exit Crisis?—Corporate Board Member
Farient Advisors continues its partnership with Corporate Board Member to explore one of the most pressing issues in corporate governance: CEO turnover and succession planning. The 2025 research initiative: What CEO Exit Crisis, now in its third year, reveals a striking paradox. While CEO turnover among S&P 500 companies hit…
Read More > 09.19.2025
In the News
Say-on-Pay Support Stays Steady and Other Lessons from the 2025 Proxy Season—IR Impact
The 2025 proxy season confirmed several steady trends in executive compensation, while also revealing shifts boards will need to navigate in the years ahead. Say-on-Pay (SOP) support held strong across the Russell 3000, but concerns around special awards, mega-grants, and pay-for-performance alignment continued to drive the few failed votes. At…
Read More > 09.15.2025
In the News
Opendoor Brings Back Founders and Welcomes New CEO—Fortune
Opendoor Technologies is making headlines with the appointment of former Shopify COO Kaz Nejatian as CEO and a compensation package that could net him nearly $2.8 billion if he meets ambitious stock price targets. The deal underscores the company’s “founder mode” strategy, with co-founders Eric Wu and Keith Rabois returning…
Read More > 09.12.2025
In the News
CHROs Stay Put Longer as They Increasingly Become Strategic Assets—Agenda
Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) have remained in their roles longer than at any point in the past seven years, according to new reporting from Agenda. The trend reflects a shift in how boards view the CHRO function: No longer limited to HR operations, these leaders are now central to…
Read More > 09.09.2025
In the News
Thinking About Trimming PSUs from Your CEO’s Pay? Not So Fast—Agenda
Performance share units (PSUs) are under renewed scrutiny, with critics questioning whether boards set goals that are too easy to achieve. Still, new research suggests most investors aren’t ready to abandon them. A survey of more than 100 large investors found that 71% favor continuing to use PSUs, and 86%…
Read More > 09.03.2025
In the News
Why Some Boards Backtrack on Chair Independence—Agenda
More than 400 Russell 3000 and S&P 500 companies have recombined the roles of board chair and CEO after previously separating them, according to Agenda. The shift underscores a growing tension between shareholder calls for independent oversight and boards’ preference for unified leadership, efficiency, and CEO retention. Offering Farient’s perspective,…
Read More > 08.25.2025
In the News
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…
Read More > 08.21.2025
In the News
The Ballooning Cost of a CEO’s Exit—Bloomberg’s Big Take Podcast
How much does it really cost when a CEO is shown the door? Bloomberg’s Big Take podcast unpacks the financial and governance ripple effects of executive ousters — from multimillion-dollar severance deals to retention bonuses and “make-whole” payments. Reporter Matthew Boyle, who spoke with Farient Advisors and cited its data…
Read More > 08.21.2025
In the News
The True Cost of Firing a CEO—Bloomberg
Farient Advisors’ expertise and data analysis is featured throughout Bloomberg’s deep dive into the rising costs of CEO ousters. From multimillion-dollar severance packages and make-whole stock awards to retention bonuses and seven-figure adviser fees, the story shows how quickly expenses can mount when boards replace a chief executive. Led by…
Read More > 08.20.2025
In the News
CEO Pay at Top US Companies Accelerates at Fastest Pace in Four Years—Financial Times
Financial Times reports that CEO pay for the S&P 500 surged 7.7% in 2024, with median packages climbing to $19 million. According to data from Farient Advisors, the jump marked the sharpest increase since 2021 and outpaced both inflation and wage growth for the broader U.S. workforce. Executives at companies…
Read More > 08.19.2025
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