FactSet (NYSE: FDS) has announced a significant leadership transition, appointing Sanoke Viswanathan as the new Chief Executive Officer, set to take office in early September 2025. This succession marks the end of Phil Snow’s decade-long tenure as CEO, during which FactSet experienced substantial growth. Viswanathan, a seasoned global business leader, brings a wealth of experience in strategy, innovation, and operations across banking, capital markets, and wealth management. His appointment signals FactSet’s commitment to evolving its technology and service offerings in the rapidly changing financial landscape.
The announcement highlights FactSet’s strategic focus on leveraging technology and data to drive growth. With Viswanathan’s background in AI, research, and analytics, the company aims to strengthen its position as a leader in data-driven finance. This transition is particularly noteworthy as FactSet continues to expand its services in international wealth management, an area where Viswanathan has proven expertise.
This article delves into the details of the CEO succession plan, exploring the backgrounds of both Viswanathan and Snow, and what this leadership change signifies for the future of FactSet. We will examine the company’s strategic direction, its achievements under Snow’s leadership, and the expectations for Viswanathan’s tenure.
Sanoke Viswanathan Appointed as New FactSet CEO
Effective early September 2025, Sanoke Viswanathan will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer at FactSet. This appointment follows an extensive search and careful consideration by the Board of Directors, who recognized Viswanathan’s exceptional leadership qualities and strategic vision. Robin A. Abrams, Independent Director and Chair of the FactSet Board of Directors, emphasized that Viswanathan is ideally positioned to lead FactSet into the future, citing his proven track record of leading and transforming global organizations.
Viswanathan’s 15-year tenure at JPMorgan Chase, where he most recently served as CEO of International Consumer and Wealth, underscores his expertise in global financial markets. In this role, he successfully launched international consumer businesses and spearheaded strategic acquisitions, positioning these businesses for long-term growth. His prior roles at JPMorgan Chase include Chief Strategy and Growth Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of the Corporate and Investment Bank, further demonstrating his comprehensive understanding of the financial industry.
“We are excited to welcome Sanoke as FactSet’s next CEO,” said Robin A. Abrams. “With a proven track record of leading and transforming global organizations and implementing technology-driven growth strategies at scale, he is ideally positioned to lead FactSet into the future. Sanoke’s background in international wealth management services complements the success FactSet has achieved in this area of financial services. He brings expertise in areas central to our strategy including AI, research and analytics, and has a unique understanding of our customer base.”
Viswanathan’s appointment is expected to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to FactSet, aligning with the company’s goals of enhancing its technology and expanding its global reach.
Phil Snow to Retire After 30 Years with FactSet
Phil Snow’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable 30-year career with FactSet, including 10 years as CEO. Under his leadership, FactSet has experienced significant growth, more than doubling its revenue and delivering annualized double-digit EPS growth and total shareholder return. Snow’s contributions have been instrumental in positioning FactSet as a leader in the financial data and analytics industry.
Snow’s tenure as CEO has been characterized by a focus on innovation, client service, and strategic expansion. He has successfully guided FactSet through evolving market dynamics, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the industry. His commitment to advancing FactSet’s capabilities and putting clients first has been a driving force behind the company’s success.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together over the past 30 years,” said Snow. “The Board and I have been diligently planning for my succession, and with a foundation that has never been stronger, I am confident that now is the right time for FactSet to transition to a new leader to take the Company into the future. Sanoke brings the strategic vision and innovation-first mindset that FactSet needs to build on its momentum and sustain itself as the leader in data-driven finance.”
Snow will serve as a senior advisor until the end of the calendar year to support the transition, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities to Viswanathan. His legacy at FactSet will be remembered for his unwavering leadership and dedication to the company’s success.
Viswanathan’s Vision for FactSet’s Future
Sanoke Viswanathan is poised to lead FactSet into a new era of growth and innovation. His vision for the company focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technology and data to create value for clients in the global financial markets. Viswanathan recognizes FactSet’s central role in providing data and workflow solutions and aims to build on this foundation to deliver new products and services that drive sustainable growth.
Viswanathan’s expertise in AI, research, and analytics will be crucial in enhancing FactSet’s capabilities and meeting the evolving needs of its clients. His background in international wealth management services aligns with FactSet’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in this area of financial services. By combining his industry knowledge with FactSet’s existing strengths, Viswanathan is well-equipped to guide the company toward continued success.
“It’s an honor to have been selected to lead FactSet’s remarkable team,” said Viswanathan. “I was drawn to FactSet given its central role in global financial markets and ability to create value for clients with its cutting-edge technology and tools. FactSet is recognized throughout the industry for the quality and depth of its data and excellence in client service. I look forward to supporting the evolution of FactSet’s unique value proposition as a leading data and workflow solutions provider, and delivering new products and services to drive sustainable growth.”
Viswanathan’s leadership is expected to reinforce FactSet’s position as a leader in data-driven finance, driving innovation and delivering exceptional value to clients worldwide.
FactSet’s Strategic Direction and Growth Plans
FactSet’s strategic direction under the new leadership of Sanoke Viswanathan is expected to build upon the company’s existing strengths while embracing new opportunities for growth. The company’s focus on providing comprehensive data and workflow solutions will remain central to its strategy, with an emphasis on leveraging technology to enhance its offerings.
Key areas of focus for FactSet include expanding its presence in international wealth management, enhancing its AI and analytics capabilities, and delivering innovative products and services that meet the evolving needs of its clients. The company’s commitment to client service and its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics will continue to be driving forces behind its success.
FactSet’s strong financial performance, as demonstrated by its double-digit EPS growth and total shareholder return under Phil Snow’s leadership, provides a solid foundation for future growth. The company’s strategic investments in technology and its focus on delivering exceptional value to clients position it for continued success in the competitive financial data and analytics industry.
With Viswanathan at the helm, FactSet is poised to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities, further solidifying its position as a leader in data-driven finance.
About FactSet
FactSet (NYSE:FDS | NASDAQ:FDS) supercharges financial intelligence, offering enterprise data and information solutions that power our clients to maximize their potential. Our cutting-edge digital platform seamlessly integrates proprietary financial data, client datasets, third-party sources, and flexible technology to deliver tailored solutions across the buy-side, sell-side, wealth management, private equity, and corporate sectors. With over 47 years of expertise, a presence in 20 countries, and extensive multi-asset class coverage, we leverage advanced data connectivity alongside AI and next-generation tools to streamline workflows, drive productivity, and enable smarter, faster decision-making. Serving more than 8,600 global clients and nearly 220,000 individual users, FactSet is a member of the S&P 500 dedicated to innovation and long-term client success.
Conclusion: FactSet’s Future Under New Leadership
The appointment of Sanoke Viswanathan as the new CEO of FactSet marks a significant milestone in the company’s history. As FactSet transitions to new leadership, the company is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory and solidify its position as a leader in the financial data and analytics industry.
Viswanathan’s extensive experience in global financial markets, his expertise in technology-driven growth strategies, and his commitment to client service make him an ideal choice to lead FactSet into the future. His vision for the company focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technology and data to create value for clients, aligning with FactSet’s strategic goals.
Phil Snow’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable 30-year career with FactSet, during which he played a pivotal role in the company’s success. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in positioning FactSet as a leader in the industry. As he transitions to a senior advisory role, his insights and guidance will continue to be valuable to the company.
With a strong foundation built on innovation, client service, and strategic expansion, FactSet is poised to embrace new opportunities and continue delivering exceptional value to its clients worldwide.
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