CSL has announced the appointment of Dr Paul McKenzie to succeed Paul Perreault as its CEO and managing director from 6 March 2023.
The company said Mr Perreault has advised its board directors of his intention to retire after 10 years leading the company.
Dr McKenzie currently serves as CSL's chief operating officer (COO). He will immediately join the company's board of directors as an executive director.
Mr Perreault will step down on 6 March 2023 but will remain with the company as a strategic adviser to assist in an orderly transition until he retires on 6 September 2023.
Dr McKenzie has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the global biotechnology industry, including managing complex organisations through compelling growth and transformation.
Since joining CSL as COO in 2019, he has been accountable for optimising the company's operations as well as growing the CSL Seqirus, CSL Plasma, and CSL Vifor businesses.
Prior to joining CSL, Dr McKenzie was executive vice president of pharmaceutical operations and technology at Biogen. He also served in a range of progressively senior-level roles in R&D and manufacturing at Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb and MSD.
CSL chair Dr Brian McNamee said, "Paul McKenzie is a patient-focused global leader with a demonstrated track record of leading complex organizations and delivering outstanding business results. With his deep understanding of CSL's strategy, culture and operations, Paul is well positioned to lead CSL to its next level of sustainable growth for our shareholders and the patients we serve around the world."
Dr McKenzie said, "CSL's promise to save people's lives through science has long distinguished our company. I am excited, honoured and humbled for the opportunity to continue building CSL's legacy following the strong foundation established by Paul Perreault over the last decade. I look forward to continuing our momentum and engaging closely with the Board, our leadership team, 30,000 colleagues, and other stakeholders to serve patients and public health around the world. We will continue focusing on executing our 2030 strategy, investing in innovation, and continue achieving sustainable and profitable growth."
Dr McNamee recognised Mr Perreault for his leadership as CEO since 2013. "The Board and I want to acknowledge the remarkable leadership of Paul Perreault as CEO for 10 years. With Paul at the helm, CSL delivered sustainable growth and innovation with a patient-focused culture. Thanks to Paul's leadership, CSL today has grown to become a global leader, delivering shareholder value and industry-leading life-saving medicines to people in more than 100 countries."
Mr Perreault said, "Leading CSL during the last decade has been a privilege as we grew, innovated, and globalised to new levels - all while fostering a values-based culture focused on our promise to patients and public health around the world. In working closely with Dr McKenzie for more than three years, I am confident he will continue to innovate and build on CSL's track record of growth for years to come."
