Global biotechnology giant CSL Limited has named Paul McKenzie as its chief executive officer and managing director, effective 6 March 2023.
CSL’s Board of Directors appointed McKenzie on Tuesday to succeed Paul Perreault, who is stepping down to retire after 10 years in the role and more than 25 years with the company.
Perreault will remain with the company as a strategic adviser for an orderly transition until he retires on 6 September 2023.
“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,” Perreault said.
McKenzie currently serves as CSL’s chief operating officer. Upon assuming his new role, he will immediately join the Board of Directors as an Executive Director.
Mckenzie brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the global biotechnology industry to his new role, including managing complex organisations through growth and transformation.
The current COO is credited for optimising CSL’s operations as well as growing the CSL Seqirus, CSL Plasma, and CSL Vifor businesses. He also helped transform CSL’s global end-to-end operations, advanced CSL Seqirus’ differentiated portfolio strategy and led CSL Plasma through COVID-19 challenges while surpassing plasma collection volumes beyond pre-pandemic levels, the company said in an ASX announcement.
Prior to joining CSL, McKenzie served as executive vice president of pharmaceutical operations and technology at Biogen.
He also held a series of progressively senior-level roles in research and development and manufacturing at Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Merck.
“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,” said CSL Chair Brian McNamee.
