Morgan Stanley’s board of directors appointed Edward “Ted” Pick, co-president of the firm, to the role of CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2024. He will also join the board of directors at that time. James Gorman, the firm’s current CEO, will become executive chairman. Andy Saperstein, co-president of the firm, will become the head of wealth and investment management, and Dan Simkowitz will become co-president and the head of institutional securities.
Gorman announced at the firm’s 2023 annual general meeting of shareholders his intention to step down as CEO before the 2024 annual general meeting.
“The board has unanimously determined that Ted Pick is the right person to lead Morgan Stanley and build on the success the firm has achieved under James Gorman’s exceptional leadership,” Tom Glocer, lead director of the board at Morgan Stanely, said. “Ted is a strategic leader with a strong track record of building and growing our client franchise, developing and retaining talent, allocating capital with sound risk management and carrying forward our culture and values. We believe that the board’s rigorous and well-managed succession process, under the leadership of Dennis Nally, the chair of our compensation, management development and succession committee, has resulted in the appointment of an outstanding CEO while also demonstrating the strength and depth of Morgan Stanley’s leadership talent.”
“Over James’ 14 years as CEO, Morgan Stanley has been transformed into a strong and balanced financial institution with a long-term sustainable business model. We are grateful for the tremendous impact he has had on our firm and are thankful that as executive chairman we will continue to benefit from his experience and critical insight.”
“After undergoing a multi-year, intentional succession process, we determined that Ted Pick is best suited to be the next CEO of Morgan Stanley,” Dennis Nally, chair of the compensation, management development and succession committee of the board at Morgan Stanley, said. “Ted has a deep knowledge of our businesses and understands what is needed to drive their growth. We are highly confident that he is the right person to lead Morgan Stanley and drive growth into the next decade.
“The board has been fortunate to have been able to draw from a number of excellent candidates. One of the things that sets Morgan Stanley apart is the quality and depth of our talent and how they embody the firm’s culture and values.”
“For several years, I have worked with the board to ensure an orderly succession, and I feel strongly that now is the time to step aside,” Gorman said. “The board’s selection of Ted Pick is an outstanding one. I have worked side by side with Ted since the financial crisis and have experienced first-hand his values, intellect, passion and commitment to our people and our clients. He is battle-tested, understands complex risk and works very effectively not just in the U.S. but around the globe. In short, he is an outstanding executive and leader.
“I am also delighted that Andy and Dan will take on expanded leadership roles. Both are world-class executives with outstanding values and intellect. As co-presidents of Morgan Stanley, Andy and Dan will be invaluable leaders in helping Ted manage the firm. Through the transition period and my time as executive chairman, I will do everything I can to support Ted as our new CEO.”
“Morgan Stanley is a storied institution, and I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead it. We have a global diversified business with a leading client franchise,” Pick said. “Thanks to James’ excellent leadership, our firm is now well-positioned to succeed across market cycles, and I am excited about the opportunities for future growth. Morgan Stanley has exceptionally talented people and is home to a deep culture and abiding values. I also want to thank the board for the confidence they have expressed in me. I look forward to working closely with the board, Andy, Dan, the rest of the management team and all our employees to continue to serve our clients and shareholders.”
Pick has served as co‐president of Morgan Stanley for the past two years. In addition, as head of the institutional securities group, he oversees investment banking, equities, fixed income, capital markets and research. He is also co‐head of firm strategy.
Prior to his current role, Pick served as global head of sales and trading, engineering a turnaround of the firm’s fixed income division. He also served as head of institutional equities. Pick was previously head of equity capital markets. He also helped the firm actively raise capital during the financial crisis.
Pick joined Morgan Stanley in 1990 and was promoted to managing director in 2002. He is a member of the firm’s operating committee (2012), management committee (2008) and Morgan Stanley‐MUFG steering committee (2013).
