Charles River Labs Charts New Course as Visionary CEO James Foster Announces Retirement

WILMINGTON, Mass. – January 08, 2026 – Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL), a titan in the preclinical drug development industry, today announced a pivotal leadership transition, marking the end of a transformative era. James C. (Jim) Foster, the company’s long-serving Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer, will retire on May 5, 2026, after a remarkable 50-year career with the company, including more than three decades at the helm.

In a move signaling a deep commitment to continuity and internal expertise, the Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Birgit Girshick, the current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, as the next CEO. The transition, planned for over two years, is designed to be seamless, ensuring strategic stability for the S&P 500 company as it navigates a rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical landscape. The succession plan also includes a significant corporate governance shift, with the roles of Chair and CEO being separated. Dr. Martin Mackay, the current Lead Independent Director, will assume the role of Chair of the Board upon Foster’s retirement.

The Architect of a Global Leader

Jim Foster’s leadership tenure is a masterclass in corporate transformation. When he became CEO in 1992, Charles River was a niche business focused on research models. Today, it stands as a global powerhouse in preclinical contract research, boasting approximately $4 billion in annual revenue and playing a critical role in modern medicine.

This dramatic evolution was fueled by Foster’s strategic vision. He led a management buyout from Bausch & Lomb in 1999 and took the company public just a year later. Under his guidance, Charles River's annual revenue skyrocketed from $307 million at the time of its 2000 IPO to over $4 billion today, with its stock price appreciating at a compound annual growth rate of more than 10%. This sustained growth earned the company a coveted spot in the S&P 500 index in 2021.

A key pillar of Foster’s strategy was aggressive and strategic expansion through more than 50 acquisitions. These moves methodically built a comprehensive portfolio that shifted the company’s revenue base, with over 80% now generated from services. High-profile acquisitions, such as WIL Research in 2016 and, more recently, Cognate BioServices and Vigene Biosciences in 2021, propelled Charles River into high-growth areas like cell and gene therapy. The impact of this strategy is undeniable: since 2017, the company has worked on an average of more than 80% of all drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“As I reflect on my 50-year journey at the Company, Charles River has been far more than a place to work – it has been a profound experience and one of the great privileges throughout my life,” Foster commented in a statement. “I have the utmost confidence that Birgit is the right leader, and embodies the values necessary to guide Charles River in its next chapter.”

A New Chapter Under a Veteran Leader

Birgit Girshick’s appointment represents a deliberate choice for stability and deep institutional knowledge. A 35-year veteran of the company, Girshick has risen through the ranks, holding leadership positions across a wide array of business units. She began her career in the Research Models & Services business, the very foundation of the company, and methodically advanced to oversee its most sophisticated and high-growth segments.

Since becoming COO in 2021, Girshick has been responsible for leading all of the company’s global business units, guiding their strategic direction, and driving operational excellence. She has been a central figure in the company’s digital evolution and has overseen the integration of key acquisitions, including the company’s significant push into the cell and gene therapy CDMO space.

Her extensive experience provides her with a unique, ground-up understanding of the company's complex operations and its critical role in the biopharmaceutical ecosystem. In her statements, Girshick has emphasized her commitment to building on Foster’s legacy while capitalizing on new opportunities.

“I am committed to building upon the solid foundation that Jim has established by leveraging the unique opportunities present in the evolving biopharmaceutical landscape,” Girshick stated. She highlighted a focus on advancing scientific innovation, enhancing the company’s market-leading portfolio to drive growth, and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital deployment to create long-term shareholder value.

A Model for Modern Governance

The leadership transition at Charles River is also a significant step forward in its corporate governance structure. By separating the roles of CEO and Board Chair, the company is aligning itself with best practices widely advocated by institutional investors and proxy advisory firms. This move is designed to enhance board independence and strengthen oversight, providing a more robust system of checks and balances between management and the board.

The appointment of Dr. Martin Mackay, the current Lead Independent Director, as the new non-executive Chair ensures that board leadership will be in the hands of someone with deep familiarity with the company's strategy and governance but who is independent of the executive team. This separation is seen as a hallmark of strong corporate governance, fostering greater accountability to shareholders and bolstering long-term stability, particularly during a period of significant leadership change.

Navigating an Evolving Industry

Under Girshick’s leadership, Charles River is poised to continue its focus on high-growth sectors while navigating the industry’s most pressing challenges. Her deep involvement in the company’s expansion into cell and gene therapy positions her well to steer further investment in this cutting-edge field. Likewise, her role in the company's digital transformation suggests a continued push to integrate technologies like artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery and improve efficiency.

However, the path forward is not without hurdles. The industry faces increasing regulatory complexity and a growing ethical and scientific push for alternatives to animal testing—a core part of Charles River’s historical business. The company is already proactively addressing this shift, having established a scientific advisory board to guide its strategy in alternative models. Girshick’s operational acumen will be critical in navigating these trends, as well as managing economic headwinds that can cause fluctuations in client R&D spending. With a well-planned transition and an experienced internal leader ready to take the reins, Charles River appears well-equipped to write its next successful chapter.