Melbourne, February 10, 2026 — CSL Limited (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY) announced that Dr Paul McKenzie will retire as Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director. Highly experienced former CSL senior executive and non-executive director Gordon Naylor has been appointed interim CEO & Managing Director, effective February 11.
Dr Brian McNamee AO, Chair of CSL, said: “Paul and the Board have determined that now is the right time for new leadership to continue to drive CSL’s strategic transformation and performance. On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude to Paul for his commitment and contributions to the company over the past seven years, including his three years as CEO. During his tenure, Paul guided CSL’s global operations through the challenges of COVID-19, stabilised manufacturing and supply chains and increased plasma collection volumes beyond pre-pandemic levels.
Under Paul’s leadership, CSL introduced new therapies such as HEMGENIX®, the world’s first gene therapy for haemophilia B, and ANDEMBRY® for hereditary angioedema. He also led transformation of our end-to-end operations, making significant progress in improving plasma yield through initiatives like Horizon 1 and Horizon 2.
The Board is pleased to appoint Gordon as interim CEO & MD. Gordon’s proven track record and deep knowledge of CSL give him the experience and ability to lead the business while a search takes place for CSL’s next CEO.
During Gordon’s 33-year tenure at CSL he played a pivotal role in the company’s rise to global leadership in plasma therapies and vaccines, including as Chief Financial Officer and President of Seqirus. Gordon played a key role in the acquisitions that established our global position in CSL Plasma, Behring and Seqirus. He helped design and build the Broadmeadows plasma facility and was then the site’s first Chief Engineer. He also ran global supply chain and IT. Gordon has the Board’s full authority to lead the company during this interim period.”
Gordon Naylor said: “I have had a long association with CSL. It is a great company with innovative platforms, world-class people, as well as differentiated medicines and vaccines essential for patients and communities globally. My immediate priority will be to work closely with the Board and leadership team on executing our strategic transformation and delivering for our patients, public health and shareholders.”
Dr Paul McKenzie said: “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO and to work alongside so many talented and committed colleagues. While the past three years have been challenging for the business, I am proud of our organisational improvements, the continued investment in research and development, the new vaccine facility in Melbourne and the transformation of our end-to-end operations, all of which lay the foundations for future growth.”
Dr McKenzie will step down as CEO & Managing Director on February 10, 2026. His existing awards will be treated in accordance with their original terms upon his retirement.
Gordon Naylor has had a long association with CSL. During his 33 years with the company, he was part of a small group that transformed it into a global leader in plasma therapies and vaccines. He helped design and build the Broadmeadows plasma facility and was the first Chief Engineer of that site. He has also served in senior leadership roles including Chief Financial Officer and President of Seqirus, where he led the turnaround of the global influenza business.
He is a non-executive director of Orica Limited and has chaired Medical Developments International. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), a Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, an MBA from Melbourne Business School, is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and is a Certified Practising Accountant.
CSL is a leading global biopharma company with a dynamic portfolio of lifesaving medicines, including those that treat haemophilia and immune deficiencies, vaccines to prevent influenza, and therapies in iron deficiency, dialysis and nephrology. Since its start in 1916, CSL has been driven by its promise to save lives using the latest technologies.
Today, CSL — including its businesses CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus, and CSL Vifor — provides lifesaving products to patients in more than 100 countries and employs more than 29,000 people. Its unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables it to identify, develop and deliver innovations so patients can live life to the fullest.
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