The Cooper Companies, Inc. filed a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC on October 27, 2026, disclosing the resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer Albert G. White III, the interim appointment of Walter M. Rosebrough, Jr. as Executive Chair, and the election of Shlomo Nachman as a new board director.

Key Highlights

  • CEO departure: Albert G. White III resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and board member on October 27, 2026, and will remain as a full-time strategic advisor through April 1, 2027.
  • Interim Executive Chair: Walter M. Rosebrough, Jr., an independent board member since January 2026, was appointed Executive Chair on an interim basis, effective immediately.
  • CEO search launched: The board formed a CEO Search Committee comprised of Lawrence E. Kurzius, Cynthia L. Lucchese, and Teresa S. Madden to oversee the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
  • New director elected: Shlomo Nachman, age 65, was appointed to the board effective December 8, 2026, to serve until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
  • Three directors not standing for reelection: Barbara Carbone, Colleen E. Jay, and Robert S. Weiss each notified the company they will not stand for reelection at the 2027 Annual Meeting.
  • Board size reduction planned: Following the 2027 Annual Meeting, the board intends to reduce its size to seven directors.

Leadership Overhaul at The Cooper Companies on October 27, 2026

According to the filing, Albert G. White III resigned from all roles at The Cooper Companies (NASDAQ:COO) on October 27, 2026. The company disclosed that Mr. White will receive payments and benefits to which he is entitled under his Executive Employment Agreement dated March 19, 2024, as described in the company's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 24, 2026. The filing also noted that the company expects to provide Mr. White with additional compensation in connection with his transition and service as a strategic advisor, "the terms of which have not yet been determined," and that an amendment to this Form 8-K will be filed to disclose those terms once determined.

The board appointed Walter M. Rosebrough, Jr., age 72, as Executive Chair on an interim basis. According to the filing, Mr. Rosebrough is CEO Emeritus of STERIS plc (NYSE: STE), where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2021, and previously held the role of President and Chief Executive Officer at Hill-Rom. He currently serves as Independent Chair of the Board of Varex Imaging Corporation (Nasdaq: VREX). The filing stated that Mr. Rosebrough was originally appointed to the board pursuant to a letter agreement dated December 22, 2025, between the company and Browning West, LP.

Shlomo Nachman, age 65, was appointed to the board effective December 8, 2026. The filing noted that he most recently served as Company Group Chairman of the Cardiovascular and Specialty Solutions and Vision Group within Johnson and Johnson's Medical Devices sector from 2013 through 2023, and currently serves on the board of AtriCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRC). The filing also disclosed that Barbara Carbone, Colleen E. Jay, and Robert S. Weiss each elected not to stand for reelection at the 2027 Annual Meeting, and that "none of these decisions was the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices."

What Was Disclosed

The Cooper Companies reported the resignation of its President and CEO, the interim appointment of a new Executive Chair, the formation of a CEO Search Committee, the election of one new director, and the planned departure of three existing directors ahead of the 2027 Annual Meeting.