Howard Buffett: The man taking over Berkshire chair

Howard Graham Buffett, born on December 16, 1954, as the middle child of Warren Buffett and Susan Thompson Buffett, has spent his life pursuing a diverse range of interests. Diverging from his father's investment-focused career, Howard has dabbled in farming, local government, corporate board membership, law enforcement, wildlife and conflict photography, and philanthropy centered on food security and humanitarian crises.

Now 71 years old, Howard has assumed the role of chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, succeeding his father Warren Buffett, who stepped down as chairman and became chairman emeritus while remaining on the board. This transition aims to safeguard Berkshire's culture and values, while the company's operations remain under the leadership of Abel, the managing partner.

Raised in Omaha with his siblings, Howard initially chose a farming career in Nebraska, later expanding his operations to Illinois. His agricultural efforts have largely focused on conservation, such as no-till farming and efforts to enhance food production while preserving natural resources. Over the years, Howard has travelled extensively, visiting 156 countries, and combining his passions for agriculture, conservation, photography, and humanitarian work.

While Howard has had corporate involvements, including board positions at GSI Group, Archer Daniels Midland, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola, ConAgra Foods, and Lindsay Corporation, his primary focus has been on philanthropy through the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Founded in 1999, the foundation emphasizes food security, conflict mitigation, and countering human trafficking, while supporting various conservation initiatives.

Howard's work in conflict zones, particularly in Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion, has gained significant attention. Through his foundation, he has provided humanitarian relief, agricultural support, and infrastructure improvements. His photography, capturing the human condition under war and poverty, has been published in the book "The Courage of a Nation: Three Years of War."

In this new role, Howard is not expected to manage Berkshire's operational aspects but will focus on governance, culture preservation, and overseeing the board's management oversight. His appointment completes a long-discussed succession plan, with Howard, Susan, and Peter Buffett set to lead the foundation's future work.