Pentair plc Appoints Robert W. Hau as Executive VP & CFO, Effective Nov 1, 2026

What Happened

• Pentair plc announced on September 21, 2026 (8-K filed September 22, 2026) that the Board appointed Robert W. Hau as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 1, 2026. Interim CFO Robert P. Fishman will resign from the interim CFO role on that date. Mr. Hau (age 60) has served as Pentair’s Senior Vice President, Finance since September 15, 2026, and previously held senior finance roles at Fiserv, TE Connectivity, Lennox International and Honeywell.

Key Details

• Appointment date: Board action on Sept 21, 2026; effective Nov 1, 2026.
• Cash compensation: $775,000 annual base salary; annual cash bonus target = 100% of base (2026 bonus prorated).
• Equity and sign-on: Initial restricted stock units with grant-date fair value of $2,500,000 (cliff vests after 5 years); $200,000 new-hire cash bonus subject to repayment if Mr. Hau voluntarily leaves within two years.
• Other benefits: Eligible for annual equity awards beginning 2027 and standard executive benefits; covered by the company’s Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement (KEESA), which provides certain severance/change-in-control protections as described in the company’s 2026 Proxy Statement.

Why It Matters

• This names a permanent CFO after an interim period, providing continuity in financial leadership ahead of future reporting periods.
• The compensation and long-term equity structure (notably the 5-year cliff vesting and repayment-protected sign-on bonus) signal the company’s intent to retain Mr. Hau long-term and align his incentives with long-term performance.
• Investors should note the prorated 2026 bonus, the sizeable RSU award, and the KEESA severance framework as items that could affect executive compensation expense and disclosure in upcoming filings.