Cavan native Padraig McDonnell has been named as the incoming chief executive and chief operating officer of Silicon Valley life sciences giant Agilent Technologies. He takes up the new role from May 1st, succeeding Mike McMullen.

McDonnell (52) has been president of the company’s unit Agilent CrossLab Group since May 2020 and was also named chief commercial officer in November 2021. He is a graduate of Maynooth University, with a bachelors in science and a masters in biochemistry. He also holds a post-graduate diploma in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Galway; and a post-graduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation from UCD. He is also a graduate of St Patrick’s College Cavan. He started his career at HP, Agilent’s predecessor company, in 1998.

McMullen, who served as Agilent’s CEO since 2015, transformed Agilent into a life-sciences and diagnostics company after the spin-off of the company’s electronic measurement business, now Keysight Technologies.

Agilent’s tech supports scientists in cutting-edge life science research; patient diagnostics; and testing required to ensure the safety of water, food and pharmaceuticals. It employs over 18,000 staff globally and operates in 110 countries, with full-year revenues in 2023 of $6.8 billion (€6.3 billion).

Ken Boon Hwee, chairman of Agilents’ Board of Directors said: “Padraig has been a success in every role he’s held at Agilent. I’m confident that as Agilent’s next CEO, he will continue that record of success and build on the many achievements that have been attained during Mike McMullen’s nine years as CEO.”