Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) announced that its board is close to completing the search for a new chief executive officer, with a formal appointment expected by mid‑January 2026. The announcement, made on December 23, 2025, confirms that Stanley Bergman will remain in the CEO and Chairman roles until a successor is named, ensuring continuity as the company advances its BOLD+1 strategic plan and $200 million operating‑income improvement initiative.
The board’s lead director, Philip A. Laskawy, said the search process is nearing completion but will not finalize a decision before year‑end. Laskawy highlighted the high caliber of candidates and the board’s confidence that the new CEO will accelerate growth in high‑margin specialty and technology segments while supporting the partnership with private‑equity firm KKR, which acquired a 12 % stake in January 2025 and gained board seats to help drive value creation.
Bergman, who has led the company since 1989, will retire at the end of the year. In a statement, he noted that the company has made significant progress on its BOLD+1 plan, which aims to generate 40 % of worldwide operating income from high‑growth, high‑margin businesses. He added that the partnership with KKR “recognizes the potential of Henry Schein’s business and will help us achieve our long‑term goal of high‑single‑digit to low‑double‑digit earnings growth.”
The CEO search update follows a strong Q3 2025 earnings report in which Henry Schein beat expectations with a non‑GAAP diluted EPS of $1.38, up 4 % from $1.33 in the prior quarter. The beat was driven by disciplined cost control and a favorable mix shift toward high‑margin specialty products, offsetting a modest decline in legacy dental supplies. Management cited the BOLD+1 strategy and KKR’s operational expertise as key contributors to the improved profitability.
Looking ahead, the company has raised its full‑year 2025 revenue guidance to $4.396 billion–$4.400 billion from $4.3 billion, reflecting confidence in continued demand for its specialty and technology offerings. Operating‑income guidance was also increased to $2.151 billion–$2.155 billion, underscoring the company’s belief that the $200 million operating‑income improvement plan can be realized over the next few years. The guidance signals a strong outlook for the company’s high‑margin businesses and a commitment to disciplined cost management.
The CEO transition is a material event that could influence Henry Schein’s strategic trajectory. A new leader will be tasked with executing the BOLD+1 plan, managing the KKR partnership, and navigating competitive pressures in the dental and medical distribution markets. The announcement provides clarity on the leadership timeline and reassures stakeholders that the transition will not disrupt the company’s operational and financial progress.
Management emphasized that the cyber‑attack in October 2023 is now fully behind the company, with no lingering impact on financial results. The company’s restructuring plan, aimed at generating $75–$100 million in annual cost savings by the end of 2025, is also progressing as expected, further supporting the operating‑income improvement target.
The CEO search update is the first major leadership announcement since Bergman’s retirement announcement, and it marks a new phase for Henry Schein as it seeks to build on its recent turnaround and deepen its partnership with KKR.
The company’s board and management remain confident that the new CEO will continue to drive growth and profitability, positioning Henry Schein for sustained success in the coming years.
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