March 9 (Reuters) - West Pharmaceutical's chief

executive Eric Green said on Monaday he plans to retire once the

company finds his successor, ending an 11-year run at the helm.

The Pennsylvania-based company said the transition is

expected in the second half of 2026 and that an executive search

firm has been hired to lead the process.

"After serving 11 years as the Company's 6th CEO over the

past century, it is time for someone else to take over the

leadership of West," Green said in a statement.

Green, who took over as CEO in 2015 and became board chair

in 2022, said the move allows him to pursue future board and

advisory roles.

During his tenure, the company more than doubled its sales

and delivered a total shareholder return of roughly 350%, said

Robert Friel, the board's lead independent director.

West, which makes components and devices used to deliver

injectable drugs such as diabetes and obesity treatments, said

last month that demand for GLP-1 therapies will continue to grow

in 2026, though at a slower pace than in 2025.

GLP-1 drugs have become one of the fastest-growing areas of

the pharmaceutical market, requiring the precision delivery

parts West supplies.

West also reaffirmed the annual financial forecast it issued

in February.