Lear CFO succession plans announced on October 19, 2026, will put Jared Fedele in charge of the automotive supplier’s finance organization from March 1, 2027. He will succeed Jason Cardew, who will remain chief financial officer through February 28 before moving into a non-executive advisory role until his retirement on December 31, 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Jared Fedele will become senior vice president and CFO on March 1, 2027.
- Jason Cardew will support the handover as a non-executive adviser through December 2027.
- Fedele brings experience across both operating divisions, financial planning and Asia Pacific.
Table of Contents
- Lear CFO succession separates handover from retirement
- Fedele brings divisional and regional finance experience
- Employment agreements set terms for the transition
- Conclusion
Lear CFO succession separates handover from retirement
The transition gives Lear a defined handover date while retaining its outgoing finance chief for the remainder of 2027. Cardew’s 34 years refer to his total service at Lear, not his tenure as CFO.
Lear’s CFO transition filing states that Cardew notified the company of his decision on October 13, 2026. During the advisory period, he will assist with the leadership transition and provide other services requested by President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Scott and Fedele.
The arrangement means Cardew will leave the executive finance role before leaving the company, rather than retiring immediately when his successor takes over.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fedele’s initial annual base salary | $750,000. |
| Fedele’s incentive eligibility | Participation in Lear’s Annual Incentive Plan and 2019 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. |
| Cardew’s advisory compensation | $22,000 per month, with continued participation in employee benefit plans under their terms. |
Fedele brings divisional and regional finance experience
Fedele currently serves as vice president of finance for Lear’s Global Seating and E-Systems businesses. Those divisions supply automotive seating and electrical systems to automakers.
He joined Lear in July 2003 and has held finance positions of increasing responsibility, including management roles at a manufacturing facility. He led worldwide financial planning and analysis from 2023 to 2025, after serving as vice president of finance and CFO for Asia Pacific from 2018 to 2023.
His appointment therefore promotes an internal executive with experience in both operating finance and company-wide planning, rather than bringing in an outside successor.
Employment agreements set terms for the transition
Lear entered into an employment agreement with Fedele on October 13, effective when he assumes the CFO position. It also amended Cardew’s agreement to cover his subsequent consulting and advisory work.
The agreements distinguish the incoming executive role from Cardew’s non-executive responsibilities. Cardew will remain eligible for a 2027 cash performance bonus only for the portion of the year in which he serves as CFO.
Conclusion
The next confirmed milestone is the CFO handover on March 1, 2027. Cardew’s planned advisory service will then continue through his December 31 retirement.
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