Ethan Allen begins search for new CEO to succeed Farooq Kathwari

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. has initiated a search for a new CEO to succeed Farooq Kathwari, who has led the company for nearly 40 years. The Danbury, Connecticut-based retailer has engaged a national executive search firm to evaluate both internal and external candidates. The board aims to name a successor by June 30, 2027, coinciding with the end of Kathwari’s current contract. Kathwari, who has served as president since 1985 and CEO since 1988, will remain a nonexecutive board member until the 2027 annual shareholder meeting.

The announcement follows pressure from investor Doug Bergeron, a stakeholder with more than a 5% interest in the company. Bergeron previously criticized the company for its lack of succession planning and has nominated an alternate slate of six board members. Following the company's announcement, Bergeron stated that the move was ‘too little, too late,’ expressing dissatisfaction with the current board's leadership and management of the company's assets.