---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000014693-26-000033"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BF-A"
cik: "0000014693"
company_name: "BROWN FORMAN CORP"
filed_at: "2026-07-13T20:40:00+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-07-13T20:41:05.879179+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting to retire; board starts successor search

## Summary
- Lawson Whiting to retire as President & CEO after nearly 30 years, effective upon appointment of successor.
- Board initiates search considering internal and external candidates, led by Governance Committee chaired by Tracy Skeans.
- Whiting will remain in advisory role post-successor to ensure smooth transition.
- Company reiterates fiscal 2027 outlook as disclosed on June 4, 2026.
- Chairman Marshall Farrer thanks Whiting for leadership; notes portfolio strength.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000014693-26-000033
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BF-A
- cik: 0000014693
- company_name: BROWN FORMAN CORP
- filed_at: 2026-07-13T20:40:00+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/14693/000001469326000033/0000014693-26-000033-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/14693/000001469326000033/bfb-20260713.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000014693-26-000033
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000014693-26-000033.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000014693-26-000033.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Lawson Whiting departed as President and Chief Executive Officer at BROWN FORMAN CORP.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On July 13, 2026, Lawson Whiting announced his decision to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman Corporation (the “Company”) after nearly 30 years of distinguished service to the Company, effective upon the appointment of his successor.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/14693/000001469326000033/0000014693-26-000033-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.