Charles River Laboratories Chair, CEO James C. Foster Intends To Retire, Effective May 5; Birgit Girshick Appointed CEO; Martin Mackay To Become Chair

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced today that James C. (Jim) Foster, Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), plans to retire, effective on May 5, 2026 at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Company's Board of Directors (Board) has unanimously appointed Birgit Girshick, current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), as the next CEO, concurrent with Mr. Foster's planned retirement in May. Ms. Girshick has also been nominated by the Board to be a Director effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Mr. Foster will remain on Charles River's Board as a non-executive Director, and Martin Mackay, Ph.D., current Lead Independent Director, will become Chair of the Board at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Meeting. These appointments are the result of a comprehensive, Board-led succession process designed to ensure long-term continuity, stability, and strategic alignment and reflect the Board's confidence in Ms. Girshick as the right leader to guide Charles River through its next phase of growth. This succession plan will also separate the Chair and CEO roles of the Company to align with best practices for corporate governance and oversight, including a non-executive, independent Chairperson.