Todd Combs, portfolio supervisor and funding officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., arrives for the morning session of the Allen & Co. Media and Know-how Convention in Solar Valley, Idaho, U.S., on Friday, July 12, 2019.
Patrick T. Fallon / Bloomberg / Getty Photos
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway introduced quite a few structural modifications earlier than the legendary CEO steps apart on the finish of this yr, amongst them the departure of Todd Combs, funding officer and Geico CEO.
Combs, 54, might be becoming a member of JPMorgan Chase, the place he already served on the board, as head of the financial institution’s new Safety and Resiliency Initiative, to seek out direct fairness investments within the protection, aerospace, healthcare and power industries.
Combs “has resigned to simply accept an attention-grabbing and vital job at JPMorgan,” stated Buffett, 95, in a press launch from Berkshire. “Todd made many nice hires at GEICO and broadened its horizons. JPMorgan, as often is the case, has made a superb choice.”
Combs joined Berkshire in 2010 from his hedge fund Citadel Level and was introduced in, together with Ted Weschler, to assist handle Berkshire’s portfolio of investments. Buffett is handing over the CEO reins to Greg Abel in 2026 and Combs’ departure leaves some questions as to how the sizable fairness holdings of Berkshire, which embrace Apple, Financial institution of America and Coca-Cola, will proceed to be managed when he steps down.
Combs, who’s leaving the JPMorgan board efficient instantly, may also function a particular advisor to CEO Jamie Dimon.
“Todd Combs is likely one of the best traders and leaders I’ve recognized, having efficiently managed investments alongside probably the most revered and profitable long-term investor of our time, Warren Buffett,” stated Dimon in a launch. “Having served 9 years on our Board, he actually understands all elements of our firm, and he helps the function we play serving to make the world higher and safer for all its residents.”
Combs could have $10 billion to deploy to start out with for JPMorgan’s new initiative, which the financial institution stated will in the end commit $1.5 trillion to spur financial progress “make the world safer.”
The Safety and Resiliency Initiative could have an outdoor council to information its technique which incorporates, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Dell Chairman Michael Dell, former Secretary of Protection Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
This can be a creating story. Verify again for updates.

