Fortrea Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Fortrea has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, information technology, clinical operations, commercial development, and administration.

Driven by scientific rigor, Fortrea is dedicated to transforming promising medical ideas into proven therapies by providing comprehensive clinical research solutions across the globe.

Leadership Roles at Fortrea

  • Chief Executive Officer - Anshul Thakral
  • Chief Financial Officer - Jill McConnell
  • Clinical Services Chief Operating Officer & President - Mark Morais
  • President, Clinical Pharmacology Services - Scott Dove
  • President & Chief Commercial Officer - Drayton Virkler
  • Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office - Madeshwaran Rajendran
  • IT Strategy Partner & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio) - Priyank Sameer
  • Director, Artificial Intelligence & Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of - Pankaj Bakshi
  • Chief Administrative Officer - David Cooper
  • Anshul Thakral - Chief Executive Officer

    Anshul Thakral, the Chief Executive Officer at Fortrea, directs the company's overarching strategy and operational execution. Thakral guides Fortrea's mission to deliver comprehensive clinical research solutions, ensuring scientific rigor and innovative problem-solving are central to transforming medical ideas into proven therapies. This leadership role involves setting the strategic vision for global operations, which span North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. Anshul Thakral oversees the integration of research and development services, driving the company's commitment to supporting the entire clinical development process for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors. The Chief Executive Officer's focus remains on expanding market reach and enhancing service delivery across all operational geographies.
    Anshul Thakral

    Jill McConnell - Chief Financial Officer

    Jill McConnell, the Chief Financial Officer at Fortrea, manages all financial aspects of the global clinical research organization. McConnell oversees financial planning, reporting, and capital allocation, ensuring fiscal health and supporting strategic growth initiatives. This role is critical in managing the financial complexities inherent in clinical trials and research and development services across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. Jill McConnell ensures that financial strategies align with the company's mission of transforming medical ideas into therapies. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include optimizing resource allocation to support the extensive network of research facilities and specialized teams, thereby bolstering Fortrea's capacity to serve the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries effectively.

    Mark Morais - Clinical Services Chief Operating Officer & President

    Mark Morais, the Clinical Services Chief Operating Officer & President at Fortrea, leads the operational execution of all clinical research services. Morais oversees the delivery of comprehensive clinical trial solutions, ensuring scientific rigor and efficiency across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. This executive role is fundamental to Fortrea's ability to transform promising medical ideas into proven therapies by managing the day-to-day operations of the company's extensive network of research facilities and specialized teams. Mark Morais drives operational excellence, focusing on optimizing processes and resource deployment to meet client needs within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. The Chief Operating Officer's commitment ensures the seamless progression of the entire clinical development process.

    Scott Dove - President, Clinical Pharmacology Services

    Scott Dove, the President, Clinical Pharmacology Services at Fortrea, directs the specialized services focused on early-phase clinical trials and drug metabolism. Dove leads the teams responsible for conducting complex pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, crucial for advancing promising medical ideas into proven therapies. This leadership role ensures the highest standards of scientific rigor and operational excellence across Fortrea's clinical pharmacology units, supporting clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Scott Dove oversees the integration of advanced analytical techniques and state-of-the-art facilities to provide comprehensive data for drug development programs. The President's focus is on driving innovation and efficiency within clinical pharmacology services, contributing significantly to the entire clinical development process.

    Drayton Virkler - President & Chief Commercial Officer

    Drayton Virkler, the President & Chief Commercial Officer at Fortrea, leads all commercial activities and business development initiatives. Virkler drives revenue growth and market expansion by fostering strategic client relationships across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. This executive role is key to communicating Fortrea's value proposition in navigating complex clinical trials and research and development services globally, spanning North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. Drayton Virkler oversees the sales, marketing, and client engagement teams, ensuring alignment with the company's mission to transform medical ideas into proven therapies. The Chief Commercial Officer's strategic vision ensures Fortrea effectively serves its clients throughout the entire clinical development process.

    Madeshwaran Rajendran - Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office

    Madeshwaran Rajendran, the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office at Fortrea, directs the strategic management of information technology vendors and resources. Rajendran ensures that technology partnerships and procurement processes effectively support Fortrea's global operations in clinical research and development services. This position is vital for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of IT systems that underpin the company's work across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. Madeshwaran Rajendran focuses on optimizing vendor relationships to enhance service delivery and cost-effectiveness, directly contributing to Fortrea's ability to transform medical ideas into therapies. The Chief Information Officer's oversight ensures robust technological infrastructure supporting the extensive network of research facilities and specialized teams.

    Priyank Sameer - IT Strategy Partner & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio)

    Priyank Sameer, the IT Strategy Partner & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio) at Fortrea, architects the company's information technology strategy and roadmap. Sameer drives the integration of innovative technological solutions to enhance Fortrea's clinical research and development services across its global footprint, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. This role is pivotal in ensuring that IT strategy directly supports the company's mission of transforming medical ideas into proven therapies. Priyank Sameer collaborates with business units to align technology investments with operational needs, focusing on scalable and secure systems. The Chief Information Officer's leadership ensures that Fortrea's technological capabilities empower its extensive network of research facilities and specialized teams to deliver exceptional client outcomes.

    Pankaj Bakshi - Director, Artificial Intelligence & Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of

    Pankaj Bakshi, the Director, Artificial Intelligence & Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of at Fortrea, spearheads the development and implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning initiatives. Bakshi drives innovation in data analysis and predictive modeling to enhance clinical research and development services across Fortrea's global operations in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America. This leadership position is crucial for leveraging advanced technologies to accelerate the transformation of medical ideas into proven therapies. Pankaj Bakshi focuses on integrating AI/ML solutions to optimize clinical trial design, execution, and data interpretation, thereby supporting clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors. The Chief Information Officer's expertise ensures Fortrea remains at the forefront of technological advancement in clinical research.

    David Cooper - Chief Administrative Officer

    David Cooper, the Chief Administrative Officer at Fortrea, oversees essential administrative functions that support the company's global operations. Cooper ensures the efficient management of corporate resources, facilities, and support services across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America, enabling the seamless delivery of clinical research and development services. This role is integral to maintaining the operational infrastructure necessary for Fortrea to transform medical ideas into proven therapies. David Cooper focuses on optimizing internal processes and fostering a productive work environment for the specialized teams that support the entire clinical development process. The Chief Administrative Officer's leadership ensures that administrative functions align with the company's strategic objectives and client commitments.
    David Cooper

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fortrea Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Fortrea?
    Fortrea is led by Anshul Thakral (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jill McConnell (Chief Financial Officer) and Mark Morais (Clinical Services Chief Operating Officer & President).
    Who is part of Fortrea’s executive team?
    The executive team of Fortrea includes leaders such as Anshul Thakral (Chief Executive Officer), Jill McConnell (Chief Financial Officer), Mark Morais (Clinical Services Chief Operating Officer & President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Fortrea have?
    Fortrea has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Fortrea’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Fortrea includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Clinical Services Chief Operating Officer & President, President, Clinical Pharmacology Services, President & Chief Commercial Officer.