Pittsburgh – October 19, 2026 -- Net Health CEO Ron Books is stepping down to become executive chairman, and the board has opened a search for his successor focused on enterprise-native AI. Books is returning to ECI Solutions as its CEO.

Books replaces Donna Morea as chairman, while she stays on as a director

Books takes the chair from Donna Morea, who remains on the board. He will guide the AI-native specialty platform's long-term strategy from the board level.

New York – October 19, 2026 -- Swiss sports supplement brand KA-EX has appointed Aaron Heidebreicht as CEO North America, as its US distribution passes 4,000 points of sale following a national launch across 2,200 GNC stores in August 2026.

Boston – October 19, 2026 -- VIA Science, Inc. has created the post of Chief Mission Officer and appointed Joe Babiec, previously its Chief Commercial Officer, to fill it as the software provider scales globally.

Babiec moves from commercial chief to a mission-focused mandate

Babiec joined VIA in 2018. VIA supplies software to defense, law enforcement and humanitarian organizations. In the new role he will lead efforts to expand the company's mission impact with customers and the communities it serves.

San Sebastián – – October 19, 2026 -- Viralgen, the AAV gene therapy contract manufacturer owned by Bayer unit AskBio, has appointed Bayer executive Angela Ochoa Chico as chief executive effective January 1, 2027, replacing Jimmy Vanhove after four years in the role.

Vanhove moves to lead Bayer's U.S. pharmaceutical supply network expansion

Vanhove will lead the development and expansion of Bayer's U.S. Pharmaceutical Product Supply Network, based in New Albany, Ohio. He will join the Pharmaceuticals Division's Product Supply Leadership Team.

Toronto – October 19, 2026 -- Vector Science and Therapeutics Corp. (TSXV: PAIN) has appointed Angus Jackson, a former investment banker at Outcome Capital, as Managing Director of Corporate Development. He will lead the company's inorganic growth initiatives, including acquisitions, investments and strategic partnerships.

LONDON – October 19, 2026 -- Strategic advisory firm Hakluyt has appointed Julia Gillard, Australia's prime minister from 2010 to 2013 and current chair of Wellcome, to its international advisory board, effective immediately.

North Little Rock, Ark. – October 19, 2026 -- Sowell Management, a registered investment advisor whose nationwide advisor network represents more than $6.8 billion in client assets, has appointed Scott Dooley, CFA, as Chief Investment Officer and converted its investment management platform into the Sowell Office of the CIO.

London – October 19, 2026 -- Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) has appointed David Krap, formerly Managing Director and Co-Head of Consumer & Retail EMEA at J.P. Morgan, as Managing Director and Co-Head of European Consumer, Retail & Leisure.

Seattle – October 19, 2026 -- Yoodli, an AI platform for human skills, has appointed Mike Mather, KPMG US's Chief Learning Officer from 2023 to September 2026, as Chief Learning Advisor to shape how its customers prepare workforces for AI.

Mather will work directly with Yoodli customers and its product team. His remit includes advising clients on readiness programs that move beyond course completions to measurable behavior change.

San Francisco – October 16, 2026 -- Corgi Insurance has appointed James Kullman, a commercial underwriter with nearly 15 years of experience, as Head of Underwriting, North America.