Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) sets CEO, COO succession in 2026 leadership revamp

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. reported upcoming leadership changes following the planned departures of two senior executives. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michel Lagarde, who has held the COO role since 2021, will leave the company on March 31, 2026. Executive Vice President Frederick M. Lowery, in that role since 2024, will depart on February 28, 2026.

Effective March 1, 2026, the company will update its organizational structure. Marc N. Casper will serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Gianluca Pettiti, currently an Executive Vice President, will be promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, while Michael Shafer, also an Executive Vice President, will move into an expanded role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. These changes outline Thermo Fisher’s succession and leadership realignment plan at the top of the organization.

Insights

Corporate governance and leadership transitions analyst

Thermo Fisher outlines a planned transition as two senior executives depart and internal leaders are promoted.

The company discloses that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michel Lagarde will depart on March 31, 2026, and Executive Vice President Frederick M. Lowery will depart on February 28, 2026. These roles sit high in the operating hierarchy, so clear succession is important for continuity.

Thermo Fisher pairs the departures with a defined leadership structure effective March 1, 2026. Marc N. Casper will hold the combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles, while Executive Vice President Gianluca Pettiti is promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President Michael Shafer moves to an expanded role reporting directly to the CEO. The use of internal promotions suggests the board is relying on experienced insiders to maintain strategic and operational direction.

The timing of the changes is staged, with the new structure effective shortly before the final announced departure date. Subsequent company communications and future SEC reports may provide more detail on how responsibilities are allocated across the updated leadership team.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 12, 2026

THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

Delaware	1-8002	04-2209186
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

168 Third Avenue

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 622-1000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value		TMO		New York Stock Exchange
3.200% Notes due 2026		TMO 26B		New York Stock Exchange
1.400% Notes due 2026		TMO 26A		New York Stock Exchange
1.450% Notes due 2027		TMO 27		New York Stock Exchange
1.750% Notes due 2027		TMO 27B		New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2027		TMO 27D		New York Stock Exchange
0.500% Notes due 2028		TMO 28A		New York Stock Exchange
1.375% Notes due 2028		TMO 28		New York Stock Exchange
1.950% Notes due 2029		TMO 29		New York Stock Exchange
0.875% Notes due 2031		TMO 31		New York Stock Exchange
2.375% Notes due 2032		TMO 32		New York Stock Exchange
3.650% Notes due 2034		TMO 34		New York Stock Exchange
3.628% Senior Notes due 2035		TMO 35A		New York Stock Exchange
2.875% Notes due 2037		TMO 37		New York Stock Exchange
1.500% Notes due 2039		TMO 39		New York Stock Exchange
1.875% Notes due 2049		TMO 49		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Each of Michel Lagarde and Frederick M. Lowery have notified Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (the “Company”) of their decisions to leave the Company to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Lagarde, who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 2021 will depart on March 31, 2026, and Mr. Lowery, who has served as an Executive Vice President of the Company since 2024 will depart on February 28, 2026.

Effective March 1, 2026, Thermo Fisher Scientific will update its organizational structure and leadership team. Marc N. Casper will become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Gianluca Pettiti, currently an Executive Vice President, will be promoted and transition to the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. Also, as of that date, Michael Shafer, currently an Executive Vice President, will be promoted to an expanded role and will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC.
Date:	January 12, 2026	By:	/s/ Thomas B. Shropshire
			Thomas B. Shropshire
			Senior Vice President and General Counsel

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FAQ

What leadership changes did Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) announce?

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that Executive Vice President and COO Michel Lagarde and Executive Vice President Frederick M. Lowery will leave the company, and that it will update its organizational structure and leadership team effective March 1, 2026.

When are Michel Lagarde and Frederick M. Lowery leaving Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)?

Michel Lagarde, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will depart on March 31, 2026, and Frederick M. Lowery, Executive Vice President, will depart on February 28, 2026.

Who will lead Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) after the announced changes?

Effective March 1, 2026, Marc N. Casper will serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, combining the chairman and CEO roles.

Who will become President and Chief Operating Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)?

On March 1, 2026, Gianluca Pettiti, currently an Executive Vice President, will be promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

What new role will Michael Shafer have at Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)?

Michael Shafer, currently an Executive Vice President, will be promoted to an expanded role as of March 1, 2026 and will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Does the Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) filing mention any changes to its securities?

The filing lists Thermo Fisher Scientific’s common stock and multiple series of notes due between 2026 and 2049 as registered on the New York Stock Exchange, but the primary new information disclosed is the set of leadership changes.