Envista CEO Paul Keel joins CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) board, Audit Committee
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
CooperCompanies is expanding its Board of Directors from nine to ten members and has appointed Paul Keel as an independent director, effective July 1, 2026. He will also join the Board’s Audit Committee on that date.
Keel is currently President and CEO of Envista Holdings Corporation and previously served as CEO of Smiths Group plc, following 16 years in leadership roles at 3M. He will receive director compensation consistent with other non-employee directors. The company highlights its global medical device focus through CooperVision and CooperSurgical, serving more than fifty million people annually in over 130 countries.
Positive
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8-K Event Classification
3 items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
3 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Board size after change: 10 directors
Effective date of appointment: July 1, 2026
Workforce: more than 15,000 employees
+2 more
5 metrics
Board size after change
10 directors
Board expanded from nine to ten effective July 1, 2026
Effective date of appointment
July 1, 2026
Paul Keel joins the Board and Audit Committee
Workforce
more than 15,000 employees
Global headcount described in company overview
Countries served
over 130 countries
Global reach of CooperCompanies’ products
People impacted annually
over fifty million lives each year
Estimated annual impact of products and services
Key Terms
independent director, Audit Committee, Regulation FD Disclosure, forward-looking statements, +1 more
5 terms
independent director regulatory
"appointed Paul Keel as an independent director, effective July 1, 2026"
An independent director is a member of a company's board of directors who is not involved in the company's day-to-day operations and has no significant relationships with the company that could influence their judgment. Their role is to provide unbiased oversight and ensure the company is managed in the best interests of all shareholders. This helps build trust and confidence among investors by promoting transparency and accountability.
Audit Committee financial
"Mr. Keel has also been appointed to serve on the Audit Committee"
A company's audit committee is a small group of board members who act like independent inspectors for the firm's finances, overseeing how financial reports are prepared, monitoring internal controls, and managing the relationship with external auditors. Investors care because a strong audit committee reduces the risk of accounting errors, fraud, or misleading statements, making financial statements more trustworthy and helping protect shareholder value.
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
"Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure. A copy of the press release"
Regulation FD disclosure requires public companies to share important, market-moving information with everyone at the same time instead of tipping off analysts or large investors first. Think of it as making sure all players on a field hear the same announcement simultaneously; that fairness helps investors trust that stock prices reflect the same information and reduces the risk of sudden, unfair trading advantages or regulatory penalties for selective leaks.
forward-looking statements regulatory
"This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
Annual Report on Form 10-K regulatory
"factors set forth in our other filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K"
An annual report on Form 10‑K is a required, comprehensive filing that publicly traded companies give to regulators and investors summarizing their business, results of operations, detailed financial statements reviewed by independent auditors, material risks, legal issues and management’s discussion of performance. Investors use it like a company’s year‑end report card and medical checkup: it reveals how the business made money, where it is vulnerable, and the facts needed to compare value, judge risk and make informed investment decisions.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
_______________________________________________
FORM 8-K
_______________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 4, 2026
_______________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________________________________
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
(925 ) 460-3600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers: Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On May 4, 2026, The Cooper Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that, on recommendation of the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved an increase in the size of the Board from nine directors to ten directors effective as of July 1, 2026, and approved the appointment of Paul Keel to fill the new director position, effective as of July 1, 2026, until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. The Board also approved the appointment of Mr. Keel to the Audit Committee, effective as of July 1, 2026, and concurrent with his appointment to the Board.
Mr. Keel has been determined to be an independent director under Nasdaq listing standards. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Keel and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as a director. Additionally, there are no transactions involving the Company and Mr. Keel that the Company would be required to report pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Mr. Keel will be compensated for his service as a director consistent with the compensation provided to other non-employee directors as described in the Company’s most recent proxy statement, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2026.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
A copy of the press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Keel is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
The information in Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit | Description | ||||
| 99.1 | Press Release dated May 4, 2026 of The Cooper Companies, Inc. | ||||
| 104.1 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | ||||
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ Daniel G. McBride
Daniel G. McBride
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer, General Counsel & Secretary
Dated: May 4, 2026
 | |||||
PRESS RELEASE | |||||
CooperCompanies Appoints Paul Keel to its Board of Directors
SAN RAMON, Calif., May 4, 2026 - CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO), a leading global medical device company, announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Paul Keel as an independent director, effective July 1, 2026. Mr. Keel has also been appointed to serve on the Audit Committee when he joins the Board.
“We are delighted to welcome Paul to our Board as a new Director,” said Colleen Jay, Chair of the Board of CooperCompanies. “His experience as a CEO in the medical device sector, along with a successful track record of leading complex global operations, will be a significant asset as Cooper continues to execute its strategy and create long-term value for patients, customers, and shareholders.”
Mr. Keel has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NVST), a global specialty medical technology company, since 2024. Prior to joining Envista, Mr. Keel served as CEO of Smiths Group plc (LON: SMIN), a diversified global industrial technology company and FTSE constituent, from 2021 to 2024. Earlier, he spent 16 years at 3M, serving in various leadership roles, including Group President of 3M Consumer Business, President of 3M Medical, President of 3M Unitek, SVP of Manufacturing & Supply Chain, and SVP of Marketing, Sales & Business Development. Mr. Keel’s career also includes roles at General Mills, General Electric, Norwest Equity Partners, and McKinsey & Company. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Carleton College.
About CooperCompanies
CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on helping people experience life’s beautiful moments through its two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, helping to improve the way people see each day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women’s healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, CooperCompanies has a workforce of more than 15,000, sells products in over 130 countries, and positively impacts over fifty million lives each year. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements relating to the Company’s efforts to enhance long-term shareholder value, plans, strategies, future actions, and other statements of which are other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements necessarily depend on assumptions, data, or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Statements regarding future events and performance and contain words such as “expects” and similar words or phrases. A wide range of factors could materially affect future developments, including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors set forth in our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual future results or actions to be materially different than those expressed in such forward-looking statements. We do not intend, or undertake any duty, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact:
Kim Duncan
Vice President, Investor Relations and Risk Management
925-460-3663
ir@cooperco.com
Vice President, Investor Relations and Risk Management
925-460-3663
ir@cooperco.com
FAQ
What change did CooperCompanies (COO) announce to its Board of Directors?
CooperCompanies is increasing its Board size from nine to ten directors and has appointed Paul Keel as an independent director. His appointment becomes effective July 1, 2026, adding additional leadership experience at the board level.
Who is Paul Keel, the new CooperCompanies (COO) director?
Paul Keel is President and Chief Executive Officer of Envista Holdings Corporation, a global specialty medical technology company. He previously served as CEO of Smiths Group plc and spent 16 years at 3M in multiple senior leadership roles across consumer, medical and operations.
What committee will Paul Keel join at CooperCompanies (COO)?
Paul Keel has been appointed to CooperCompanies’ Audit Committee, effective when he joins the Board on July 1, 2026. The company has determined he qualifies as an independent director under Nasdaq listing standards for board and committee service.
How will Paul Keel be compensated as a CooperCompanies (COO) director?
Paul Keel will be compensated in line with CooperCompanies’ other non-employee directors. The structure and amounts follow the company’s director compensation program described in its most recent proxy statement filed on February 24, 2026 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
What kind of company is CooperCompanies (COO)?
CooperCompanies is a global medical device company operating through CooperVision and CooperSurgical. It focuses on contact lenses, fertility and women’s healthcare, employs more than 15,000 people, sells products in over 130 countries, and impacts over fifty million lives annually.
Does the CooperCompanies (COO) announcement include forward-looking statements?
Yes. The company states the release contains forward-looking statements about plans, strategies and long-term shareholder value. These statements involve risks and uncertainties described in its SEC filings, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and may differ from actual future results.