WittKieffer observes uptick in animal health promotions during Q2
WittKieffer has noticed an increase in internal promotions in the animal health industry during the second quarter of 2025.
This article was originally published on the S&P Global website (login required) on July 30, 2025 and has been republished here with permission.
WittKieffer has noticed an increase in internal promotions in the animal health industry during the second quarter of 2025. The company is a specialist in executive search, leadership advisory, and interim and on-demand leadership. It previously noted a trend for animal health businesses to target executives from external industries in Q1 of 2025.
However, internal appointments were more prominent in the most recent quarter. WittKieffer tracked 86 notable senior appointments across animal health and nutrition companies in the second quarter of 2025.
Joe Kennedy – managing director for WittKieffer’s animal health team – told S&P Global Animal Health: “The animal health industry is continuing to experience significant leadership transformation, as companies strategically balance internal talent development with the acquisition of external expertise to drive growth and innovation. This quarter reveals a pendulum swing toward internal promotions, accounting for 58% of the 86 management changes observed across 40 leading animal health and nutrition companies in Europe and the US – marking a notable increase from the previous quarter.”
Mr. Kennedy said the recent trend towards promotions spans the sector, “with larger organizations like Zoetis, Mars, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Merck Animal Health and Elanco demonstrating robust internal mobility”.
He noted: “At the same time, mid-sized players – including Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Virbac, Phibro Animal Health, Argenta and Ceva Santé Animale – are also investing in their in-house talent bench. What is particularly encouraging is internal promotions are not limited to specialized technical roles where industry- or organization-specific knowledge is traditionally valued. In this quarter, we are seeing homegrown talent advancing across commercial, marketing and enterprise services functions.
“External recruitment remains strategic, comprising 42% of new appointments. The cross-industry pollination trend continues with three out of four external hires coming from outside of animal health – from industries as varied as adjacencies such as consumer goods, biopharma and pharma services, as well as banking, industrial goods and hospitality. Functional priorities reveal the industry’s strategic direction, with significant investment in digital transformation, supply chain resilience and commercial excellence (including enhancing pet parent experiences).”
WittKieffer also looks at personnel that have departed animal health companies for new roles. Notable exits during Q2 of 2025 included Randolph Legg, who left his position as president and head of US commercial business at Boehringer after 31 years with the company to become chief executive at In the Bowl Animal Health. This US-based start-up is using proprietary technology to deliver prescription medicines and over-the-counter feed ingredients via premium pet food.
Other significant moves were Giles Coley retiring from Dechra after 26 years with the company, as well as John Adent transitioning from his role as president and chief executive at Neogen after eight years.
Mr. Kennedy stated: “When viewed holistically, these leadership changes signal the animal health industry’s commitment to refreshing capabilities in digital transformation, commercial excellence and operational efficiency. The balanced approach to talent management – promoting from within while strategically acquiring external expertise – positions companies for the next phase of innovation, while ensuring knowledge continuity through thoughtful talent development and succession planning.”
Paul Martingell will become Virbac’s new chief executive on September 1 and therefore is a third-quarter appointment.
