Charles River names Birgit Girshick as next CEO after Foster retires

Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced that Chief Executive Officer James C. Foster plans to retire in May 2026 after 50 years with the company, including more than 30 years as CEO.

The board of directors unanimously appointed Birgit Girshick, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, as the next CEO effective May 5, 2026. Girshick will also be nominated as a director at the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders.

Foster will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Martin Mackay, the current lead independent director, will become board chair, separating the chair and CEO roles.

Girshick joined Charles River in 1989 and has served as COO since 2021, overseeing global business units including strategic direction, operational excellence, client relationships, and digital transformation. She previously held roles of increasing responsibility across multiple business segments.

Under Foster's leadership, Charles River completed more than 50 acquisitions and transformed from a research models business to a contract research organization generating over 80% of revenue from services. Annual revenue grew from $307 million in 2000 to $4.0 billion in 2024. The company became an S&P 500 member in 2021.

Foster led a management buyout from Bausch & Lomb in 1999 and took the company public in 2000. Charles River has worked on more than 80% of drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2017, according to the company.

The succession plan follows a comprehensive board-led process designed to ensure continuity and strategic alignment, according to the press release.

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