Nancy McKinstry, the long-time Chief Executive Officer of Wolters Kluwer, has announced her retirement set for February 2026, wrapping up over two decades of transformative leadership. This unexpected news came during the release of the company's annual results on February 26, 2025, prompting immediate market reactions.
McKinstry, who has been at the helm since 2003, has played a pivotal role in reshaping the company from its traditional publishing roots to becoming a leader in the information and software sector, particularly for professionals operating across various domains like healthcare and legal services. Under her stewardship, Wolters Kluwer’s market capitalization skyrocketed over tenfold, reflecting her successful strategic initiatives.
Investors reacted to the announcement with concern, leading to approximately 9% drop in shares, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the leadership transition. The company's shares, which appreciated significantly during McKinstry's tenure, fell sharply as the news circulated.
Ann Ziegler, Chair of the Wolters Kluwer Supervisory Board, expressed gratitude for McKinstry's leadership, stating, "Nancy's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have been instrumental... that's been recognized... by more than tenfold increase... during her time as CEO.” Under McKinstry's guidance, Wolters Kluwer made substantial investments, particularly in artificial intelligence technologies, with over 50% of its revenues now stemming from AI-related solutions.
Stacey Caywood, who currently leads the company’s healthcare division, has been nominated to succeed McKinstry, with plans to officially appoint her to the Executive Board during the Annual General Meeting on May 15, 2025. "We are delighted to nominate Stacey Caywood as Wolters Kluwer CEO, effective February 2026,” Ziegler remarked. Caywood brings over 30 years of experience within the company and has been successful in establishing substantial growth frameworks for the company's key divisions.
Reflecting on her career, McKinstry commented, "It has been an honor and privilege to lead Wolters Kluwer through decades of transformation as the market has evolved. I am deeply grateful to the Board and my past and present colleagues for their support throughout my tenure.”
Caywood’s track record includes leading significant initiatives within Wolters Kluwer Health and bringing the Legal & Regulatory unit back to growth. This strategic transition is believed to position Wolters Kluwer for continued success as it moves to navigate through future challenges and opportunities.
Founded through the merger of Kluwer and Wolters Samson in 1987, Wolters Kluwer has grown to serve professionals across more than 180 countries, employing over 21,000 people globally. The company remains focused on delivering cutting-edge information solutions integrated with advanced technology.
With McKinstry’s retirement, the executive board will see some notable changes but is still anticipated to maintain its commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring stability as the company evolves to meet market demands. Together, they aim to preserve the legacy built under McKinstry’s leadership.
Investors and analysts alike will be watching closely as Wolters Kluwer embarks on this pivotal transition, hoping for continued growth and adaptation under the new leadership. The challenge moving forward will be to sustain the momentum built over the years and leverage new technologies to cater effectively to its diverse clientele.