Berkshire Hathaway shareholders were confronted with the potential future of the company as two possible successors to billionaire chief executive Warren Buffett took their turns in the public eye at the  company’s annual meeting in Omaha.

Greg Abel and Ajit Jain, the two Berkshire vice-chairmen seen by investors as likely replacements for Mr Buffett, joined the Oracle of Omaha as he answered questions from shareholders, who want more insight over whether decisions such as the purchase of new technology stock Amazon mark a change in philosophy. 

The move, which  followed their elevation to the board in January 2018, put the spotlight on the two men as Berkshire plans for a day when Mr Buffett and his longtime partner Charlie Munger no longer sit atop the sprawling conglomerate and as some investors are questioning the company’s strategy, particularly over new technology stocks.