New CEO for ICON

Peter Gray will step down as chief executive officer of ICON PLC, after 14 years with the company, including nine in his current role. The board has appointed Ciaran Murray, who has held the position of chief financial officer for the past 6 years, to succeed Mr. Gray, effective October 1, 2011. Mr. Murray has also been appointed as a member of the board. Mr. Gray has agreed to take on the role of vice chairman to facilitate a smooth transition and to assist the board in continuing strategic development.

Dr. Bruce Given, ICON’s chairman, commented, “Peter’s leadership has been fundamental in establishing ICON as an industry leading company and creating a world-class management team. His contribution to ICON’s growth and to its success cannot be overstated.” Dr. Given added that Mr. Murray “brings a deep knowledge of the industry together with extensive operational and global experience,” and “has been a key member of the management team through ICON’s transformation to a global leader.”

“It has been a great honor to lead ICON through an extremely exciting phase of its development” said Mr. Gray. “At a time of unprecedented change in the industry, ICON is well positioned to capitalize on the investments we have been making in recent years and I believe that Ciaran is the right person to lead the organization and its outstanding people through this next phase of growth.”

Following Mr. Murray’s appointment, Brendan Brennan, currently senior vice president of Corporate Finance, will be appointed acting CFO, and Diarmaid Cunningham, general counsel, will take on the additional role of company secretary.