RJ Bannister is a partner and COO with Farient Advisors, where he advises companies on total rewards strategy, executive compensation philosophy, and aligning pay programs with business strategy.

Before joining Farient, Bannister was CEO of Bannister Group LLC, an executive compensation and total rewards consultancy he founded after retiring as a managing director from Willis Towers Watson. He brings 30 years of experience as an executive compensation consultant to S&P 1500 and large private companies across nearly every industry sector, including private equity.

Bannister is a frequent author and speaker on executive compensation and governance issues and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Agenda, The Conference Board, and Corporate Board Member. He has also spoken at numerous conferences, associations, and chapters, including NACD and SHRM.

Bannister holds degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.