H&R Block names Richard A. Johnson as new Chairman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - H&R Block, a global provider of tax preparation services, announced on Monday the appointment of Richard A. Johnson as its new Chairman of the Board, effective since April 1, 2025. Johnson, who has been on the company’s Board of Directors since 2015, will be taking over from Robert A. Gerard, who has served as Chairman since 2011.

Johnson’s business experience includes a notable tenure at Foot Locker, where he held the positions of President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. He also holds board positions at Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., Graebel Companies, Inc., and is part of the Chancellor’s National Leadership Council at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

The leadership transition aligns with H&R Block’s strategic planning and its push towards a new phase of growth and transformation, as the company looks ahead to fiscal year 2026 and beyond. Jeff Jones, President and CEO of H&R Block, expressed his enthusiasm for Johnson’s new role, emphasizing the company’s strong positioning for future initiatives.

In his remarks, Johnson expressed his honor at being appointed Chairman and his eagerness to contribute to the company’s ongoing success. He succeeds Gerard, who has been praised for his leadership contributions that have steered the company towards considerable achievements.

H&R Block, known for its tax preparation services, also offers financial products and small-business solutions. The company has been integrating digital innovation with human expertise, aiming to provide optimal outcomes during tax season and improve financial management for its clients through its mobile banking app, Spruce, and other services.

The announcement of Johnson’s election to Chairman was based on a press release statement from H&R Block.

In other recent news, H&R Block reported a significant loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, falling short of analysts’ expectations. The company posted an earnings per share (EPS) loss of $1.73, which was larger than the anticipated loss of $1.59. Revenue was reported at $179 million, missing the forecasted $183.4 million, though the company maintained its full-year financial outlook. Despite these earnings challenges, H&R Block has reaffirmed its revenue outlook for the fiscal year, projecting between $3.69 billion and $3.75 billion. In a separate development, H&R Block announced a partnership with The Home Depot, aimed at providing tax preparation and business services discounts to Pro Xtra members. This collaboration is designed to help professional customers manage their tax and bookkeeping responsibilities more efficiently. Additionally, the company has been actively repurchasing shares, with $190 million spent in the quarter, amounting to 3.2 million shares. These recent developments highlight H&R Block’s strategic initiatives amid financial challenges.

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