Avantor® Announces CEO Transition
Avantor (AVTR) announced that CEO Michael Stubblefield will step down from his position as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer upon the appointment of a successor. The Board has initiated a search process with an executive search firm to identify the next CEO.
Board Chairman Jonathan Peacock acknowledged Stubblefield's decade of leadership, during which he transformed Avantor into a global player in the life sciences tools space. Stubblefield will be retained by the Board until February 2026 to provide ad hoc input for the leadership transition.
The company aims to identify a successor with a proven track record in delivering growth and value creation. Avantor highlighted its position as a durable platform with differentiated capabilities, broad portfolio, and global customer base and supply chain.
Avantor (AVTR) ha annunciato che il CEO Michael Stubblefield lascerà il suo incarico di Direttore, Presidente e Amministratore Delegato al momento della nomina del suo successore. Il Consiglio di Amministrazione ha avviato una ricerca con una società specializzata per individuare il prossimo CEO.
Il Presidente del Consiglio, Jonathan Peacock, ha riconosciuto il decennio di leadership di Stubblefield, durante il quale ha trasformato Avantor in un protagonista globale nel settore degli strumenti per le scienze della vita. Stubblefield resterà a disposizione del Consiglio fino a febbraio 2026 per fornire supporto occasionale durante la transizione della leadership.
L’azienda punta a individuare un successore con un comprovato percorso di crescita e creazione di valore. Avantor ha sottolineato la sua posizione come piattaforma solida con capacità differenziate, un ampio portafoglio e una base clienti e catena di approvvigionamento globale.
Avantor (AVTR) anunció que el CEO Michael Stubblefield dejará su cargo como Director, Presidente y Director Ejecutivo tras la designación de un sucesor. La Junta ha iniciado un proceso de búsqueda con una firma especializada para identificar al próximo CEO.
El Presidente de la Junta, Jonathan Peacock, reconoció la década de liderazgo de Stubblefield, durante la cual transformó Avantor en un actor global en el sector de herramientas para ciencias de la vida. Stubblefield permanecerá a disposición de la Junta hasta febrero de 2026 para brindar apoyo puntual durante la transición de liderazgo.
La compañía busca un sucesor con un historial comprobado en impulsar crecimiento y creación de valor. Avantor destacó su posición como una plataforma sólida con capacidades diferenciadas, un amplio portafolio y una base de clientes y cadena de suministro globales.
Avantor (AVTR)는 CEO 마이클 스터블필드가 후임자가 임명되는 즉시 이사, 사장 및 최고경영자 자리에서 물러날 것이라고 발표했습니다. 이사회는 차기 CEO를 찾기 위해 임원 검색 회사와 함께 탐색 절차를 시작했습니다.
이사회 의장 조나단 피콕은 스터블필드가 10년간 Avantor를 생명과학 도구 분야의 글로벌 기업으로 탈바꿈시킨 리더십을 인정했습니다. 스터블필드는 리더십 전환 과정에서 임시 자문을 제공하기 위해 2026년 2월까지 이사회에 남을 예정입니다.
회사는 성장과 가치 창출에 입증된 실적을 가진 후임자를 찾는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. Avantor는 차별화된 역량, 폭넓은 포트폴리오, 글로벌 고객 기반 및 공급망을 갖춘 견고한 플랫폼으로서의 입지를 강조했습니다.
Avantor (AVTR) a annoncé que le PDG Michael Stubblefield quittera ses fonctions de Directeur, Président et Directeur Général lors de la nomination de son successeur. Le Conseil d'administration a lancé une recherche avec un cabinet spécialisé pour identifier le prochain PDG.
Le Président du Conseil, Jonathan Peacock, a salué la décennie de leadership de Stubblefield, durant laquelle il a transformé Avantor en un acteur mondial dans le domaine des outils pour les sciences de la vie. Stubblefield restera à la disposition du Conseil jusqu’en février 2026 pour fournir un soutien ponctuel lors de la transition de la direction.
L’entreprise vise à trouver un successeur ayant un parcours éprouvé dans la croissance et la création de valeur. Avantor a souligné sa position en tant que plateforme solide avec des capacités différenciées, un large portefeuille, ainsi qu’une base client et une chaîne d’approvisionnement mondiales.
Avantor (AVTR) gab bekannt, dass CEO Michael Stubblefield von seiner Position als Direktor, Präsident und Geschäftsführer zurücktreten wird, sobald ein Nachfolger ernannt ist. Der Vorstand hat eine Suche mit einer Executive-Search-Firma eingeleitet, um den nächsten CEO zu finden.
Vorstandsvorsitzender Jonathan Peacock würdigte Stubblefields zehnjährige Führung, in der er Avantor zu einem globalen Akteur im Bereich der Life-Science-Werkzeuge machte. Stubblefield wird dem Vorstand bis Februar 2026 erhalten bleiben, um bei der Führungstransition ad hoc Unterstützung zu bieten.
Das Unternehmen strebt an, einen Nachfolger mit nachweislicher Erfolgsbilanz in Wachstum und Wertschöpfung zu finden. Avantor betonte seine Position als nachhaltige Plattform mit differenzierten Fähigkeiten, einem breiten Portfolio sowie einer globalen Kunden- und Lieferkette.
- CEO transition includes retention period until February 2026 ensuring smooth leadership transfer
- Company maintains strong market position with established global customer base and supply chain
- Unexpected leadership change could create temporary operational uncertainty
- Timing of successor appointment remains undefined
Insights
Avantor announces orderly CEO transition with board-led search process; Stubblefield remains as advisor through February 2026 ensuring continuity.
Avantor has announced a significant leadership change with CEO Michael Stubblefield stepping down after more than a decade of leadership. The Board has initiated a formal search process led by an executive search firm to identify his successor, indicating a structured approach to this transition.
The announcement characterizes this as a mutual decision between the Board and Stubblefield, with the statement that "the Board and Mr. Stubblefield agreed that now is the right time to initiate a leadership transition." This language suggests a planned succession rather than an unexpected departure, which typically minimizes disruption to operations and strategy execution.
Notably, Stubblefield will remain available in an advisory capacity until February 2026, providing transition support after his successor is appointed. This extended advisory period demonstrates good governance practices by ensuring knowledge transfer and continuity during the leadership change.
The Board's statement focuses on seeking a leader with "a track record of delivering growth and value creation," potentially signaling their priorities for Avantor's next phase. Chairman Jonathan Peacock's comments highlight the company's "differentiated capabilities" and "global customer base" as foundational strengths for the incoming CEO.
Under Stubblefield's leadership, Avantor transformed into what the Board describes as "a global player in the life sciences tools space." This positions the transition as occurring after a significant growth and transformation period rather than during a crisis.
For shareholders, CEO transitions typically introduce short-term uncertainty but can also bring fresh perspectives and new growth strategies. The structured nature of this particular transition, including the retention of the outgoing CEO as an advisor, should help mitigate potential disruption risks.
Board initiates search process to identify next CEO
The Board and Mr. Stubblefield agreed that now is the right time to initiate a leadership transition. The Board has initiated a search process to identify the Company's next CEO led by an executive search firm. The Board plans to move through the process expeditiously.
"On behalf of the Board, I thank Michael for over a decade of dedicated service and leadership to Avantor," said Jonathan Peacock, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Guided by a deep commitment to the Company and our mission, Michael has built Avantor into a global player in the life sciences tools space."
Mr. Peacock continued, "We intend to identify a strong successor with a track record of delivering growth and value creation. The Avantor platform is durable and resilient, with differentiated capabilities, a broad and expanding portfolio, and a global customer base and supply chain."
"It has been an honor to lead Avantor and work alongside our team to transform the Company into a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products for life sciences and technologies customers," said Michael Stubblefield. "Avantor has a unique and differentiated role in enabling our customers to serve patients, and with the support of the thousands of incredible associates around the world, I know we have a bright future ahead. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board and leadership team while the Board identifies the right leader for the Company's next chapter."
Given his extensive history with the company, Mr. Stubblefield will be retained by the Board until February 2026 to provide ad hoc input if and as needed to ensure the new CEO settles in quickly.
First Quarter 2025 Results and Conference Call
In a separate press release issued today, Avantor announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025. The Company will host a conference call to discuss its results today, April 25, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live webcast and presentation, as well as a replay, will be available on the investor section of Avantor's website.
About Avantor
Avantor® is a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries. We work side-by-side with customers at every step of the scientific journey to enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development, and production activities at more than 300,000 customer locations in 180 countries. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Facebook.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, including our cost transformation initiative, objectives, future performance and business. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "aim," "anticipate," "assumption," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "likely," "long-term," "near-term," "objective," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "project," "projection," "prospects," "seek," "target," "trend," "can," "could," "may," "should," "would," "will," the negatives thereof and other words and terms of similar meaning.
Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions; they are not guarantees of performance. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Although we believe that our assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Factors that could contribute to these risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the factors described in "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. In addition, all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise other than as required under the federal securities laws.
Investor Relations Contact
Allison Hosak
Senior Vice President, Global Communications
Avantor
908-329-7281
Allison.Hosak@avantorsciences.com
Global Media Contact
Eric Van Zanten
Head of External Communications
Avantor
610-529-6219
Eric.VanZanten@avantorsciences.com
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