BD CEO takes on chairman role

BD's president and chief executive officer (CEO) Vincent Forlenza is to assume additional responsibilities at the company as chairman of the board.

Mr Forlenza will take on the new role from July 1st 2012, succeeding Edward Ludwig, who is retiring from the company after a long and illustrious career.

The new chairman has been with BD since 1980 – becoming president in 2009 and CEO in 2011 – and will now work more closely with the board and other BD leaders to create value for shareholders and customers.

Henry Becton Jr, BD's lead director, thanked Mr Ludwig for his contributions both to the business and the medical technology industry as a whole, while expressing confidence in Mr Forlenza's suitability as his successor.

He said: "Vince has demonstrated strong leadership and strategic vision during his time as CEO and he has a deep understanding of BD, the medical technology industry and the global healthcare environment."

Earlier this month, the company reported its financial results for the second quarter of its current business year, during which revenues rose by 3.6 percent year over year.