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Staar Surgical CEO to exit as part of deal with top shareholder

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 15, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: January 19, 2026

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Jan 15 (Reuters) - Staar Surgical said on Thursday its CEO Stephen Farrell will step down by the end of the month as part of the medtech company's settlement deal with Broadwood Partners, its biggest

Staar Surgical CEO Steps Down Amid Settlement with Major Shareholder

Leadership Changes at Staar Surgical

Jan 15 (Reuters) - Staar Surgical said on Thursday its CEO Stephen Farrell will step down by the end of the month as part of the medtech company's settlement deal with Broadwood Partners, its biggest shareholder.

Details of the Settlement

The company said Farrell and Chair Elizabeth Yu have also stepped down from the board.

Impact on Shareholder Relations

Staar Surgical shares up 1% to $22 in premarket trading.

Merger Agreement Termination

Broadwood founder Neal Brasher and the investment firm's executive vice president, Richard LeBuhn, have joined Staar's board.

The company said it plans to make announcements regarding Staar's next chair and CEO in the near term.

Earlier this month, STAAR terminated a merger agreement with Swiss eyecare giant Alcon after failing to secure enough shareholder votes to approve the deal.

Alcon had last month made a new offer worth $1.6 billion for Staar, up from its original offer of $1.5 billion.

Broadwood Partners, Staar's biggest shareholder with nearly 30.2% stake, had actively opposed Alcon's initial offer, saying it undervalues the business and reflects a flawed sale process.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru)

Key Takeaways

  • Staar Surgical CEO Stephen Farrell to step down by end of month.
  • Settlement deal reached with major shareholder Broadwood Partners.
  • Leadership changes include board resignations and new appointments.
  • Staar terminated merger agreement with Alcon due to insufficient votes.
  • Broadwood opposed Alcon's initial offer, citing undervaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a merger agreement?
A merger agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions under which two companies agree to combine their operations into a single entity.
What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. It encompasses the relationships among the company's management, board, shareholders, and other stakeholders.

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