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Leadership shift at Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE) as Howlett becomes interim CFO

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(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Kenvue Inc. reports a leadership change in its finance team. Chief Financial Officer Amit Banati will step down effective May 12, 2026, and current Chief Accounting Officer Heather Howlett will serve as interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer.

Howlett, 48, will act as Kenvue’s principal financial and principal accounting officer. Her compensation includes a $125,000 monthly stipend for each month she serves as interim CFO, in addition to her existing package, which for fiscal 2026 consists of a base salary of $544,116, a target bonus of $299,264, and an annual equity award with a fair market value of $420,000.

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Insights

Kenvue discloses a planned CFO transition with an experienced internal interim successor.

Kenvue outlines a scheduled change in financial leadership, with CFO Amit Banati stepping down and Chief Accounting Officer Heather Howlett taking over on an interim basis. Howlett’s background spans senior accounting roles at several large companies and a long tenure at a major audit firm.

The company specifies her interim stipend and 2026 compensation, which clarifies cost and incentives without indicating a permanent appointment. The structured handoff and disclosure of no family relationships or special arrangements suggest an organized transition, while long-term leadership plans may be addressed in future disclosures.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Interim CFO monthly stipend $125,000 per month Paid for each month Heather Howlett serves as interim CFO
2026 base salary $544,116 Heather Howlett’s annual base salary for fiscal year 2026
2026 target bonus $299,264 Annual target bonus for Heather Howlett in fiscal year 2026
Annual equity award $420,000 Aggregate fair market value of Heather Howlett’s annual equity award
Effective date of CFO change May 12, 2026 Date Banati steps down and Howlett becomes interim CFO and CAO
Howlett age 48 years Age of interim CFO and Chief Accounting Officer
interim Chief Financial Officer financial
"appointed Heather Howlett ... as interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer"
An interim chief financial officer is a temporary leader responsible for managing a company's financial activities, such as budgeting, financial planning, and reporting, during a transitional period. Think of it as filling in for a key manager until a permanent replacement is found. For investors, this role is important because it ensures financial stability and clear guidance during times of change or uncertainty.
principal financial officer financial
"will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer"
The principal financial officer is the senior executive who runs a company's financial operations: preparing and certifying financial reports, managing accounting controls, budgets and cash flow, and advising on financial strategy. Investors care about this role because its competence affects how trustworthy the company’s numbers are, how well it manages risk and capital needs, and the credibility of forecasts—like the chief navigator steering a firm's financial course.
equity award financial
"annual grant of an equity award with aggregate fair market value of $420,000"
An equity award is a form of pay where a company gives employees, executives or other stakeholders the right to own or buy company shares—either immediately or after meeting certain conditions. Think of it like receiving slices of the company pie now or coupons to claim slices later; it matters to investors because it affects ownership dilution, executive incentives and reported compensation costs, and signals how management is being rewarded and retained.
forward-looking statements regulatory
"contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
Annual Report on Form 10-K regulatory
"can be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K"
An annual report on Form 10‑K is a required, comprehensive filing that publicly traded companies give to regulators and investors summarizing their business, results of operations, detailed financial statements reviewed by independent auditors, material risks, legal issues and management’s discussion of performance. Investors use it like a company’s year‑end report card and medical checkup: it reveals how the business made money, where it is vulnerable, and the facts needed to compare value, judge risk and make informed investment decisions.
Understanding 8-K Material Events →


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 10, 2026


Kenvue Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
001-41697
88-1032011
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1 Kenvue Way
Summit, New Jersey
07901
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 874-1200


Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
KVUE
 
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Item 5.02     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 12, 2026, Kenvue Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Amit Banati, the current Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role effective May 12, 2026. On April 10, 2026, the Company appointed Heather Howlett, the Company’s current Chief Accounting Officer, as interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, effective May 12, 2026. Ms. Howlett will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer during her term as interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer.  

Ms. Howlett, age 48, has served as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since May 2023. Ms. Howlett joined Johnson & Johnson in September 2022 as the Chief Accounting Officer Designee for Johnson & Johnson’s planned New Consumer Health Company in anticipation of the Company’s separation. Previously, Ms. Howlett served as the Chief Accounting Officer for Trane Technologies from March 2020 to August 2022, following roles of increasing responsibility at Trane Technologies, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Honeywell and Tyco and more than a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. 

Pursuant to the offer letter entered into by the Company and Ms. Howlett in connection with her appointment as interim Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Howlett will receive a monthly stipend of $125,000 (in addition to her current compensation package), to be paid each month in which she serves as interim Chief Financial Officer (prorated for partial months). There will be no other changes to Ms. Howlett’s compensation or benefits as a result of her serving as interim Chief Financial Officer. 

The above description of the offer letter between the Company and Ms. Howlett is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the agreement, which is attached as Exhibit. 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. 

There are no family relationships, as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, between Ms. Howlett and any of the Company’s executive officers or directors or persons nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. There is no arrangement or understanding between Ms. Howlett and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Howlett was appointed as an officer of the Company. 

Ms. Howlett’s compensation for fiscal year 2026 includes: (1) an annual base salary of $544,116; (2) an annual target bonus of $299,264; and (3) annual grant of an equity award with aggregate fair market value of $420,000. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the appointment of Ms. Howlett and the work she will do for the Company. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “aims,” and other words of similar meaning in conjunction with, among other things: discussions of future operations and expected costs and payments. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results and financial condition could vary materially from the expectations and projections of the Company and its affiliates. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results described in this Current Report on Form 8-K to differ from those expected include, among others, risks around senior leadership changes, personnel distractions and disruptions to our business. 

A list and descriptions of additional risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings, available at www.kenvue.com or on request from the Company. The Company and its affiliates undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments or otherwise, other than as required by law. 


Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)       Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
  
Description
     
10.1
  
Offer Letter, dated as of April 10, 2026, by and between Kenvue Brands LLC and Heather Howlett.
     
104
  
The cover page from Kenvue’s Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL.


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.




 
KENVUE INC.
 
 
   
Date: April 15, 2026
By:
/s/ Matthew Orlando
 
 
 
Name:
Matthew Orlando
 
 
 
Title:
General Counsel
 

 

 

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What leadership change did Kenvue (KVUE) announce in this 8-K?

Kenvue announced that Chief Financial Officer Amit Banati will step down effective May 12, 2026. Current Chief Accounting Officer Heather Howlett will become interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, serving as the company’s principal financial and principal accounting officer during her interim term.

Who is Heather Howlett, the new interim CFO of Kenvue (KVUE)?

Heather Howlett is Kenvue’s Chief Accounting Officer, serving in that role since May 2023. She previously held senior accounting roles at Trane Technologies, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Honeywell, Tyco, and spent more than a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers, bringing broad financial reporting and accounting experience.

How will Kenvue (KVUE) compensate interim CFO Heather Howlett?

Heather Howlett will receive a monthly stipend of $125,000 for each month she serves as interim CFO, in addition to her existing compensation. For fiscal 2026, her package includes a $544,116 base salary, a $299,264 target bonus, and an equity award valued at $420,000.

When does Kenvue’s CFO transition from Amit Banati to Heather Howlett take effect?

The transition takes effect on May 12, 2026. On that date, current CFO Amit Banati will step down, and Chief Accounting Officer Heather Howlett will assume the roles of interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, becoming Kenvue’s principal financial and principal accounting officer.

Are there any special arrangements or family relationships tied to Kenvue’s appointment of Heather Howlett?

Kenvue states there are no family relationships between Heather Howlett and any executive officers or directors. The company also notes there is no arrangement or understanding with any other person under which she was appointed, aside from the disclosed offer letter governing her interim CFO role.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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