Apple and Best Buy just changed leadership. Here are other top CEO departures in 2026.

CEO turnover is surging as boards clear the runway for a new era.

According to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, January CEO changes jumped 40% from the previous month, marking the third-highest January total since 2002.

While boardrooms often frame the exit of long-tenured leaders as a natural pivot, the mounting pressure of the AI era signals that new chiefs will need to stomach a massive undertaking. Apple (AAPL) and Best Buy (BBY) are the latest firms to announce high-profile transitions.

We’ve compiled some of the biggest names passing the torch so far in 2026.

Adobe (ADBE): Shantanu Narayen announced his intent to transition in March, marking the beginning of the end of his 18-year tenure. The search for a new leader comes amid intense investor pressure to defend the creative giant’s market leadership against a wave of new AI startups.

American International Group (AIG): Peter Zaffino is set to transition to executive chair by mid-2026, leaving Eric Andersen to manage the fallout of a complex restructuring.

Apple: Tim Cook’s time as Apple’s leader will end on Sept. 1 as he moves to executive chairman. John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, now inherits the task of proving Apple can outgrow its reliance on the iPhone and compete in the AI arms race.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B): Warren Buffett has handed the reins to Greg Abel. The 95-year-old “Oracle of Omaha” remains chairman of the board.

Best Buy (BBY): After navigating a brutal post-pandemic slump in electronics, Corie Barry is handing the reins to Jason Bonfig. Whether a 20-year veteran can pivot the big box retailer into a services-first company remains a multibillion-dollar question for shareholders. On Bonfig’s to-do list includes considering how to integrate AI as a growth driver.

BP (BP): Murray Auchincloss’s two-year tenure ended abruptly, making way for Meg O’Neill, the oil giant’s first-ever woman leader. The move, effective this month, further underscores an identity crisis at the heart of Big Oil.

Coca-Cola (KO): Henrique Braun officially took the helm in late March as James Quincey shifted to executive chairman. Braun, a 30-year veteran, now faces the daunting challenge of steering the beverage giant through a digital and AI-focused pivot.

Disney (DIS): Bob Iger has once again attempted to step back, elevating Josh D’Amaro to the CEO role this March. After years of succession drama, questions remain as to whether Iger can truly stay off the stage.

HP Inc. (HPQ): Enrique Lores departed to lead PayPal (PYPL) in February, leaving Bruce Broussard as interim CEO. The exit raises concerns about whether HP has a viable long-term strategy beyond ongoing cost-cutting.

Lululemon (LULU): Calvin McDonald’s exit left the yoga-wear giant in the hands of co-interim leaders. For a brand built on premium pricing, the lack of a permanent successor stokes fears regarding cooling demand for high-end athleisure.

Target (TGT): After a decade-long run, Brian Cornell handed the keys to Michael Fiddelke. While Cornell is credited with Target’s modern rebirth, his departure comes as the retailer faces mounting pressure from competitors and cautious US consumers.

Walmart (WMT): John Furner has taken over for Doug McMillon, who led the retailer through its digital transformation. Furner now inherits a massive logistics machine that must prove it can beat Amazon (AMZN) at its own game.

Workday (WDAY): In a move that rarely signals confidence, co-founder Aneel Bhusri returned to the CEO chair following Carl Eschenbach’s abrupt exit. The move suggests Workday is struggling to maintain its momentum in an increasingly crowded enterprise software market.

Francisco Velasquez is a Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on LinkedIn and X. He can be reached at francisco.velasquez@yahooinc.com.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance