#United States #Exton #West Pharmaceutical #Eric Green #Michel Lagarde

Michel Lagarde Takes on Leadership Role at West Pharmaceutical Services

In a significant shift for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., the Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Michel Lagarde as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 31, 2026. Lagarde will be succeeding Eric M. Green, who will be retiring from his positions as President, CEO, and Board Chair. This transition is part of the company's strategic growth plan aimed at enhancing its innovative solutions for injectable drug administration globally.

Robert F. Friel, the Lead Independent Director, expressed the Board's confidence in Lagarde, stating, "Michel is an accomplished leader whose experience demonstrates the precise blend of visionary insight and exceptional leadership skills sought during the search process." He highlighted Lagarde's commitment to customer engagement and his track record of fostering high-performing teams and creating long-term value.

Lagarde, who comes from a robust background in healthcare and life sciences, remarked, "I am honored to lead West into its next chapter of growth and to build on the company’s trusted reputation for improving patient health." He emphasized the critical importance of the life sciences industry as it navigates through this pivotal phase, especially with the growing influence of AI in drug development and the rising demand for high-quality injectable medicines.

The life sciences sector is witnessing a transformative period, given the accelerating pace of innovation, and Lagarde outlined his enthusiasm to collaborate with West's talented team. His vision includes helping customers deliver groundbreaking therapies to patients quicker than ever, thereby enhancing value for all stakeholders involved—including colleagues, clients, and shareholders.

Background of Michel Lagarde

Michel Lagarde has garnered extensive global experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech domains, excelling in aiding companies to succeed through the delivery of critical products and services. Prior to his appointment at West, Lagarde was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. He also played a pivotal role as the President and COO at Patheon N.V. from 2016 to 2017, focusing on pharma services during dynamic industry changes.

At Thermo Fisher, which he joined post the acquisition of Patheon, Lagarde was responsible for several businesses, showcasing a strong grasp of operational agility in senior management roles. From 2008 to 2016, he served as Managing Director at JLL Partners, a private equity firm emphasizing healthcare services. His career also includes a decade at Philips, where he held various finance roles across international markets.

Moreover, in 2023, Lagarde joined the Board of Directors of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, taking on the role of Chair for the Audit and Finance Committee. He possesses a Bachelor of Business Administration from the European University in Antwerp, Belgium, along with an executive master’s degree in finance and control from Maastricht University, Netherlands.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

Established as a leading provider of innovative and high-quality injectable solutions, West Pharmaceutical Services operates with a commitment to safety and effectiveness in the containment and delivery of life-saving medicines. The company supports both established and emerging drug developers and prides itself on delivering over 41 billion components and devices each year through its 26 manufacturing facilities worldwide. In the fiscal year 2025, West recorded a net sales figure of $3.07 billion, establishing its presence on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WST and inclusion in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. This recent leadership transition signals a strong commitment to growth and sustained dedication to improving patient health across the globe.

For more information regarding West Pharmaceutical Services, visit www.westpharma.com.