Giovanni Caforio Named BMS CEO

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company has announced leadership changes effective May 5; Giovanni Caforio will become chief executive officer of the company; Lamberto Andreotti will become executive chairman of the board of directors on May 5 and will continue to serve as chairman after his retirement on August 3.

In other announced executive changes, James M. Cornelius has chosen not to stand for re-election as non-executive chairman and will retire from the board. Togo D. West, Jr. will become the lead independent director on the company’s board.

According to a BMS press statement, Caforio helped build the company’s leadership in immuno-oncology through his roles in US and global oncology. He previously was chief commercial officer and chief operating officer, a member of the company’s senior management team since 2011 and the company’s board of directors since 2014. A trained physician, Caforio began his career in medical affairs at Abbott Laboratories. He joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2000 as vice president and general manager, Italy.

Andreotti joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1998 as vice president and general manager, Italy and European Oncology. He held a number of roles of increasing responsibility and was elected to the board of directors in March 2009. He became CEO in May 2010.

Cornelius has been non-executive chairman since May 2010. He served as chairman and chief executive officer from February 2008 to May 2010 and as chief executive officer from September 2006 to February 2008.

Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb