David R. Smith
Interim Chief Financial Officer
David Ross Smith was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in July 2026, stepping down as Audit Chair to take on the role. He continues to serve on Fortrea’s Board of Directors, a position he has held since the company’s spin-off in June 2023.
Mr. Smith previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. from August 2015 until his retirement in May 2022. Charles River is an American contract research organization supporting the global pharmaceutical industry.
Earlier, Mr. Smith held two leadership positions at Galapagos NV, a Belgian pharmaceutical research company: Chief Executive Officer of its Galapagos Service Division and Chief Financial Officer. He also served as Chief Financial Officer at Cambridge University Hospitals in the United Kingdom.
From 1997 to 2005, Mr. Smith held leadership roles of increasing responsibility within AstraZeneca in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Hungary, and the Netherlands. He began his career as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the United Kingdom and Dubai.
Mr. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in molecular biophysics from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.