New Year, New CEOs: Big Names Make Bold Moves in 2026

During 2025, Business Chief has been staying up to date with leadership changes across industries from manufacturing and retail to insurance and finance.

After months of transition planning and firms laying out strategies to introduce the new leaders, the reins are finally being handed to the next CEOs of some of the world’s biggest companies on 1 January.

Welcoming Inter Group’s sustainable CEO

Jakub Jankowski will become CEO of Inter IKEA Group, taking over from Jon Abrahamsson Ring, who announced he was stepping down in September 2025 after leading the company since 2020.

Jakub, currently Managing Director of IKEA Industry, says he is “honoured and humbled by the task” and aims to build on the “solid foundation that Jon leaves behind”.

His vision centres on making IKEA “even more affordable, accessible and sustainable for the many people”, emphasising collaboration across the entire value chain.

Jon, reflecting on his departure, says “the timing is now right to hand over” and that “IKEA is, and always will be, in my heart.”

Jakub credits Jon’s “values-based leadership” as crucial to IKEA’s success.

Strengthening GSK’s focus on specialty medicines

Luke Miels will become CEO of GSK, succeeding Dame Emma Walmsley, who has led the company since 2017 and driven major growth in specialty medicines. 

In September, at the time of her resignation announcement, Emma said that “2026 is a pivotal year for GSK” and “the right moment for new leadership”, emphasising her pride in leaving the company stronger and well prepared for “seamless succession”.

Luke, currently Chief Commercial Officer, said he is “deeply honoured to be appointed” and “privileged to take on this responsibility”, highlighting GSK’s “outstanding prospects and enormous capacity to impact people’s health”.

His vision is to lead a new phase of expansion, tasked with delivering GSK’s goal of more than £40bn (US$53.25) in sales by 2031.

The next CEO of Virgin Atlantic

Corneel Koster will become CEO of Virgin Atlantic, succeeding Shai Weiss, who led the airline through the pandemic and delivered record revenues and major transformation. 

Sir Richard Branson praised Shai in an October announcement for “his vision, passion and commitment”, while welcoming Corneel as someone who “embodies the Virgin spirit - bold, curious and ready to shake up the status quo”.

Corneel, currently Chief Customer & Operating Officer, has over three decades of aviation leadership and said it is “an incredible privilege to take up the role of CEO”, adding that Virgin Atlantic has always aimed to give customers “the best experience in the skies” and “a special challenger spirit”.

The leader tasked with reviving Porsche’s legacy

Michael Leiters is tasked with reviving the car manufacturer, succeeding Oliver Blume, who stepped down amid projected operating losses driven by collapsing China sales, US tariff pressure and a costly reversal of Porsche’s EV strategy. 

Oliver said during the announcement in October that the company has been “structurally realigned” and is “robustly positioned”, but Michael inherits major challenges, including weak demand for luxury EVs and uncertainty over Porsche’s future direction. 

Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board calls Michael’s “leadership style and in-depth expertise” ideal for navigating the crisis. 

Leading client-focused innovation

James Addington-Smith will become CEO of Marsh UK, succeeding Chris Lay, who is retiring after more than 40 years with the company. 

James, currently President of Marsh Asia, is tasked with leading the UK commercial strategy and delivering what Marsh calls “market-leading capabilities across risk, strategy and people”. 

President and CEO Martin South praised him in November as “an exceptional leader with a proven track record of client-focused innovation”. 

The new CEO said at the time it’s “an honour to return home” at a time when clients face volatility and new technologies, adding that he’s excited “to deliver the innovative services and solutions that enable our clients and their communities to thrive”.

His appointment aligns with Marsh’s broader shift toward a unified brand and AI-driven transformation.