WILMINGTON, Mass. — Charles River Laboratories International Inc. said James C. Foster will retire as chair, president, and chief executive officer following the company’s 2026 annual meeting of shareholders in May, ending a 50-year career at the company, as the board unanimously appointed Birgit Girshick to succeed him as chief executive officer.
Foster’s retirement will be effective May 5, 2026, at the conclusion of the annual meeting. Girshick, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, will assume the CEO role at that time and has also been nominated to join the board of directors, effective at the meeting.
Under the succession plan approved by the board, Foster will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Martin Mackay, Ph.D., the company’s current lead independent director, will become chair of the board, separating the chair and CEO roles in line with corporate governance best practices.
“As the visionary leader of the Company for more than 30 years as CEO, Jim Foster has transformed Charles River from a niche research models business to the global leader in preclinical drug development and respected member of the S&P 500 with approximately $4 billion in annual revenue,” Mackay said. “As Jim prepares for his planned retirement, the Board and I extend our deep appreciation and gratitude for Jim’s extraordinary leadership and contributions, guiding the Company through decades of unprecedented growth, scientific excellence, and exceptional client service.”
Mackay said the CEO transition was the result of a long-planned, comprehensive succession process. “The Board is confident that she is the right leader to drive forward the Company’s strategic direction, future growth, and operational excellence for many years to come,” he said of Girshick. “With more than 35 years of service, and nearly five years as COO, Birgit has played a central role in shaping the Company’s strategy, and she is the best person to lead the Company going forward.”
Foster, who joined Charles River in 1976 as general counsel and became CEO in 1992, reflected on his tenure at the company. “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,” he said. “Together, we built an industry leader with a culture shaped by the remarkable people, a strong and supportive workplace, and world-class science – enabling us to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and the patients who rely on us.”
He added that the transition had been carefully planned over several years. “I have been working closely with Birgit Girshick for many years and entrusted her with roles of increasing responsibility,” Foster said. “Based on these experiences, I have the utmost confidence that Birgit is the right leader, and embodies the values necessary to guide Charles River in its next chapter.”
Girshick, who joined Charles River in 1989 and has served as chief operating officer since 2021, said she was honored by the appointment. “I am deeply honored to become Charles River’s next CEO,” she said. “Having spent more than 35 years at the Company, this moment carries tremendous personal meaning for me that I do not take lightly.”
She said she plans to build on the foundation established under Foster’s leadership. “As we continue to move Charles River forward with our seasoned, global team, I am committed to building upon the solid foundation that Jim has established by leveraging the unique opportunities present in the evolving biopharmaceutical landscape to further strengthen our ability to partner with clients,” Girshick said. “I remain firmly committed to long-term shareholder value creation and driving our strategy to the next phase.”
During Foster’s tenure, Charles River completed more than 50 acquisitions, expanded its role in the drug development process, and grew annual revenue from $307 million in 2000 to approximately $4 billion in 2024. The company joined the S&P 500 index in 2021.
