Raleigh, N.C.-based INC Research, a therapeutically focused CRO has, as part of a planned succession, promoted Chief Operating Officer Jamie Macdonald to president and Chief Executive Officer. Chairman and CEO James T. Ogle will continue to serve as chairman.

Macdonald has been a leader of INC Research over the past year and a key architect of the company’s growth strategy, having joined INC Research as COO in 2011 as part of the company’s acquisition of Kendle. He has more than 15 years of senior management experience in operational and financial roles in the CRO and biopharmaceutical industries.

Prior to joining Kendle, he served as senior vice president and head of global project management at Quintiles, where he also held a number of executive-level roles, including senior vice president, North American clinical operations; vice president/general manager, early development and lab services; and CFO, global early development and lab services. He will report to the INC Research board of directors and will serve as a director.

“I am thrilled to lead INC Research at this exciting time as we continue to further build our organization and leverage our enhanced global scale, therapeutic capability and proven Trusted Process to compete for increasing strategic alliance and partnership opportunities with our customers,” said Macdonald.

Ogle recently completed his ninth year as CEO of INC Research and has served as a member of the board of directors since 2003. He has spent 25 years in the CRO and biopharmaceutical industries following completion of a distinguished military career during which he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army.

“I am proud of our accomplishments during my time at INC Research and the efforts of our many talented employees across the globe who are dedicated in their efforts every day to help our customers bring new life-saving and life-enhancing therapies to market,” said Ogle. “With integration behind us and INC Research solidly positioned for the future as a top-tier CRO, now is the time for me to transition away from the day-to-day leadership of the company and into the role of chairman.” 

“On behalf of the board of directors, we would like to take this opportunity to recognize Jim Ogle’s tremendous contributions to INC Research,” said David Burgstahler, president and partner, Avista Capital Partners and INC Research board member. “During his tenure, the company grew from 225 employees to nearly 5,000 today across six continents, with customers including all of the top 10 biopharmaceutical companies worldwide.”

Promoted to COO is Alistair Macdonald, president, clinical development services, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the CRO industry, including 10 years with INC Research. He is based in Camberley, U.K., and has held senior management positions in manufacturing, consultancy, business and corporate development, data management and clinical operations. Prior to his current role he was head of INC Research’s oncology therapeutic business unit. 

The three executives will assume their new roles as of Jan. 1, 2013.