Across the UK markets we track, 175 companies recorded 179 leadership changes in September 2026. Four of them recorded two each: Balfour Beatty, Nationwide Building Society, Royal London Asset Management and Winkworth. At Winkworth, City AM reported on 30 September that the estate agency had commissioned an independent board review after court proceedings between its chief executive and its former chair began in August 2026. The case is adjourned under a consent order while the parties discuss settlement.
Several of the moves are successions at the top. JCB named a joint chairman alongside his father on 27 September, the first change at the top of the company in more than 50 years, according to Bloomberg. Billington's chief executive announced on 29 September plans to step down on 1 January 2027 after 12 years leading the Yorkshire steel contractor (Construction News). Channel 4 is recruiting a chief content officer to replace its outgoing one, and Priya Dogra, Channel 4 boss, said the network is “looking for the next Messiah” (Variety).
Professional services moved too. PwC UK appointed a chief AI officer on 28 September. Deloitte UK appointed a new UK boss in June 2026 and has since reported advisory revenue up 2% to £5.81bn, with equity partner headcount up 6.5% to 784, the highest in its history (City AM). Travel Counsellors replaced its chief technology officer with immediate effect on 25 September (BusinessCloud UK).
Some changes come with disputes attached. Gitpod faces a £76 million compensation claim at a UK tribunal after dismissing a former VP of Engineering, LiveMint reported on 28 September. Vistry, run by a chief executive who took over in March 2026, is restructuring and downsizing to improve profitability (City AM). Neither is finished.