Alcon announces new CEO

As of March 31st this year, Cary Rayment will retire as president and chief executive officer of Alcon, Inc; he will be replaced on April 1st by Kevin Buehler, currently senior vice president, global markets and chief marketing officer of Alcon's subsidiary, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Mr Rayment will continue in his role as director and non-executive chairman of the board, and Mr Buehler will be nominated for board membership at Alcon's annual general meeting on May 5th.

Mr Buehler, who is responsible for the Surgical, Pharmaceutical and Consumer groups, joined Alcon as a regional sales manager in 1984. In the last 24 years, he has held various positions within the company, including vice president of Alcon's Managed Care and Falcon Generic Pharmaceuticals group and area vice president in the International Division for Latin America, Canada, Australia and the Far East.