The Lonza Board of Directors has nominated Stephen Fry as an Independent Member of the Board, with his election scheduled for the Lonza Group Annual General Meeting in May 2026. If elected, Fry will also join the People and Governance Committee and the Audit and Compliance Committee, bringing his extensive pharmaceutical industry background to Lonza's governance structure.
Fry's nomination is significant for Lonza, the world's largest contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) serving the healthcare industry. With approximately 20,000 colleagues working across five continents, Lonza partners with pharma and biotech companies to transform breakthrough innovations into viable therapies. The company reported sales of CHF 6.5 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 2.1 billion in Full-Year 2025, according to information available at https://www.lonza.com.
Fry brings more than three decades of experience from Eli Lilly and Company, where he held various international, operational and executive leadership roles. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for 12 years, during which he led large-scale organizational transformation, shaped high-performance cultures, and helped navigate the company through significant change. This background positions him to contribute meaningfully to Lonza's governance and strategic direction.
Jean-Marc Huet, Chairman of the Board at Lonza, emphasized the value Fry brings to the organization. "Stephen brings extensive international experience, combined with a strong track record in organizational governance, succession planning and people strategy development, all of which form a valuable complementary fit with the capabilities of our other Board members," Huet stated. "Stephen will play an important role in helping develop and embed our performance culture. This will support our ambition to attract and retain world-leading talent and bring our high-performing teams to the next level."
The nomination reflects Lonza's strategic focus on strengthening its governance and talent management as it continues to serve the global healthcare industry. As a CDMO, Lonza's ability to attract and retain top talent directly impacts its capacity to deliver life-saving and life-enhancing treatments to patients worldwide through cutting-edge science, smart technology and lean manufacturing.
Fry's appointment to both the People and Governance Committee and the Audit and Compliance Committee suggests his expertise will be applied across multiple dimensions of Lonza's operations. His experience in organizational transformation could prove particularly valuable as Lonza navigates the evolving pharmaceutical landscape and maintains its position as the industry's leading CDMO.
The nomination comes as Lonza continues to expand its global footprint and capabilities. With headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and listings on both the SIX Swiss Exchange and the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited, the company operates at the intersection of science, technology, and manufacturing in the healthcare sector. Fry's global leadership perspective and pharmaceutical industry experience align with Lonza's international operations and strategic objectives.
For investors and industry observers, this board nomination signals Lonza's commitment to strengthening its governance with experienced pharmaceutical professionals who understand both the business and human capital dimensions of the industry. The move could enhance Lonza's ability to execute its strategy and maintain competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving CDMO market.
