Agilent Technologies names new life sciences and diagnostics head

Agilent Technologies has announced the appointment of Fred Strohmeier as company senior vice-president and president of its life sciences and diagnostics group (LDG).

Mr Strohmeier, formerly the vice-president and general manager of Agilent's life science products and solutions unit, takes up his new role with immediate effect, following the departure of Lars Holmkvist for personal reasons.

A 34-year veteran of the company, Mr Strohmeier played an integral part of the formation of the new LDG business and has enjoyed success in leading the life sciences unit, which is the largest organisation with the LDG group.

William Sullivan, Agilent president and chief executive officer, said: "He is a highly respected leader with a wealth of deep experience and expertise in life sciences products and solutions – the foundation for LDG."

The LDG business was created earlier this year through the merger of Agilent's life sciences group and the diagnostics and genomics division.

It will be turned into an independent company through a proposed split of the Agilent organisation. The LDG operation will retain the Agilent name, while its electronic measurements business will become a separate entity.