QuickLinks-- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11


Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o


Preliminary Proxy Statement

o


Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý


Definitive Proxy Statement

o


Definitive Additional Materials

o


Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12


[MISSING IMAGE: lg_charlesriver-4c.jpg]
March 30, 2023
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý


No fee required.

o


Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)Total fee paid:

o


Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o


Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.



(1)


Amount Previously Paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:

LOGO

March 29, 2018

Dear Shareholder,

You are cordially invited to attend the 20182023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. to be held at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018,9, 2023, at the offices of Cooley��Cooley LLP located at 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MassachusettsMA 02116.

At the Annual Meeting, eleven (11) persons are nominated for election to our Board of Directors. We will also seek shareholder approval of the Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan. In addition, we will also hold a vote on an advisory resolution on our executive compensation, hold a vote on an advisory resolution of the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, and ask shareholders to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018.2023. Finally, a shareholder has proposed a resolution as described in the Proxy Statement. Our Board of Directors recommends the approval of the proposals to elect each of the eleven directors, to authorize the new equity incentive plan, to approve the advisory votevotes on our executive compensation and frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation on an annual basis, and to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.LLP, and recommends that you vote against the shareholder proposal. Such other business will be transacted as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, it is important that your shares are represented. Therefore, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly or use internet voting prior to the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions set forth on the card. This will ensure your proper representation at the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,
Sincerely,
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_jamescfoster-bw.jpg]



GRAPHIC



James C. Foster

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

PLEASE RETURNVOTE YOUR PROXYSHARES PROMPTLY.





Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 8, 2018.

9, 2023.

This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to Shareholders are available atwww.criver.com/annual2018annual2023.

In addition, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 20172022 can be found on the same website.





CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.




NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

to Be Held on May 8, 2018



9, 2023

To the Shareholders of
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018,9, 2023, at the offices of Cooley LLP located at 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MassachusettsMA 02116 at 8:00 a.m., for the following purposes:

1.

To elect each of the eleven (11) persons named in this Proxy Statement to our Board of Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

2.

To approve an advisory vote on our executive compensation.

3.

To approvehold an advisory vote on the Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan.

frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation
4.

To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.

30, 2023.
5.

To vote on a shareholder proposal described in this Proxy Statement, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting.
6.
To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 12, 201816, 2023 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.

All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to shareholders and those holding proxies from shareholders.

An admission ticket and government-issued picture identification will be required to enter the Annual Meeting. Any individual arriving without an admission ticket will not be admitted to the Annual Meeting unless it can be verified that the individual is a Charles River shareholder as of the record date for the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may obtain an Annual Meeting ticket by writing to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887.01887 or by sending an email to the following email address: GeneralCounsel@crl.com. If you are a registered holder, please so indicate in your request. If your shares are held by a bank, broker or nominee, you must enclose evidence of your ownership of shares with your ticket request, which you can obtain from your broker, bank or nominee. Please submit your ticket request and proof of ownership as promptly as possible to ensure you receive your ticket in time for the meeting.Annual Meeting. Admission to the Annual Meeting will be on a first-come, first-servedfirst come, first served basis.

By Order of the Board of Directors



GRAPHIC
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_matthewldaniel-bw.jpg]
David P. Johst
Matthew L. Daniel
Corporate Secretary

March 29, 2018

30, 2023

Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, you are requested to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions on the proxy card. A pre-addressed, postage-prepaidpostage, prepaid return envelope is enclosed for your convenience.



Alternatively, you may vote via internet by following the instructions on your proxy card or voting instruction card.




PROXY SUMMARY

The following is a summary which highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider, and you are urged to read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Time and DateDate:8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 20189, 2023
PlacePlace:Cooley LLP, 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MassachusettsMA 02116
Record DateDate:March 12, 201816, 2023

Voting Matters and Vote Recommendations

There are fourfive items of business which we currently expect to be considered at our 20182023 Annual Meeting. The following table lists those items of business and our Board'sBoard’s vote recommendation.

Proposal
Board Vote Recommendation
PROPOSALBOARD VOTE RECOMMENDATION
Management Proposals
Election of Directors
Management Proposals
Election of DirectorsForFOR each director nominee
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Officer CompensationForFOR
2018 Incentive PlanAdvisory Vote on Frequency of Future Votes on Executive CompensationForANNUAL
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmForFOR
Shareholder Proposal
Shareholder Proposal described in this Proxy StatementAGAINST




Director Nominees

The following table provides summary information about each of our director nominees.

Director
Since
Current Committee Memberships
NameAgeOccupationIndependentACCCCGNCSPCACSTCFC
James C. Foster721989Chair, President and CEO of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
Nancy C. Andrews642020Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital. Former Professor of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine. Former Dean of Duke University School of Medicine and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs of Duke University.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg]
Robert Bertolini612011Former President and CFO of Bausch and Lomb Incorporated and former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Schering-Plough Corp.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg]
Deborah T. Kochevar662008
Senior Fellow, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Dean Emerita of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University. Former Provost and Senior Vice President ad interim, Tufts University.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
George Llado, Sr.572020Former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
Martin W. Mackay672017Co-Founder and CEO of Rallybio Corporation. Former Chief of R&D, AstraZeneca and Former Chief of R&D, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
George E. Massaro752003Former Vice Chair, Huron Consulting Group, Inc.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
C. Richard Reese772007Former CEO and Chair of Iron Mountain Incorporated
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
Craig B. Thompson702022President Emeritus, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Member of the Sloan Kettering Institute and the Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
Richard F. Wallman712011Former Senior Vice President and CFO, Honeywell International, Inc.
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg]
Virginia M. Wilson682019Retired Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, TIAA
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_tick-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg]

 

     
Director

       2017 Committee Memberships

    
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

 

Name


 
Age

 
Since

 Occupation

 Independent

 AC

 CC

 CGNC

 SPCAC

 STC

 EC

 FC

 

 

James C. Foster

    67    1989   Chairman and CEO and former President of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.   No               M       C      

 

Robert Bertolini

    56    2011   Former President and CFO of Bausch and Lomb Incorporated and former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Schering-Plough Corp.   Yes   M           C       M      

 

Stephen D. Chubb

    74    1994   Special Limited Partner of Catalyst Healthcare Ventures and Former President and CEO of Allegro Diagnostics, Inc.   Yes   M               M          

 

Deborah T. Kochevar

    61    2008   Dean, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University   Yes       M   M       M          

 

Martin W. Mackay

    62    2017   Co-Founder and CEO of Rallybio, and Former Chief of R&D, AstraZeneca and Former Chief of R&D, Alexion   Yes           M       M          

 

Jean-Paul Mangeolle

    56    2018*  Former President, Sciex and Former Executive Vice President, Merck KGaA   Yes   M   M                      

 

George E. Massaro

    70    2003   Former Vice Chairman, Huron Consulting Group, Inc.   Yes   C                   M      

 

George M. Milne, Jr.

    74    2002   Venture Partner, Radius Ventures and former EVP, Pfizer Global Research and Development   Yes           C       M   M   M  

 

C. Richard Reese

    72    2007   Former CEO and Chairman of Iron Mountain Incorporated   Yes       C       M       M      

 

Craig B. Thompson

    65    2013   President and CEO, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center   Yes           M       C          

 

Richard F. Wallman

    66    2011   Former Senior Vice President and CFO, Honeywell International, Inc.   Yes       M       M           C  

Key: AC—AC — Audit Committee; CC—CC — Compensation Committee; CGNC—CGNC — Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; SPCAC—SPCAC — Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee; STC—STC — Science and Technology Committee; EC—Executive Committee; FC—FC — Finance Committee; C—[MISSING IMAGE: ic_committe-bw.jpg] —  Chairperson; M—[MISSING IMAGE: ic_member-bw.jpg] — Member.

*
For Mr. Mangeolle, reflects committee membership from date of joining Board of Directors in January 2018.


2


Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Decisions about executive compensation are made by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee recognizes the importance of establishing clear objectives for our executive compensation program in keeping with our philosophy that our executive compensation program should appropriately align executive compensation with both the short- and long-term performance of the Company.
Charles River shareholders provided very strong majority support for our named executives'executives’ compensation at our 2017 annual meeting2022 Annual Meeting of shareholders (97.6%Shareholders (88% of shares voted in support onof this matter; 97.8% excluding abstentions)matter). We attribute this level of support to the significant actions we implemented from 2012 through 2016, including significant changes toour performance in 2021 and several long-standing characteristics of our executive compensation program during that period, as noted below:

    We shifted our Executive Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Program for our officers (including each of our named executives) to be more directly performance-based by restructuring awards made to those officers so that they were comprised of approximately 60% Performance Share Units (PSUs) incorporating relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and non-GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) metrics, 20% stock options, and 20% restricted stock/units.

    We have obtained advice and recommendations on executive compensation best practices from our independent external compensation consultant, Pay Governance LLC.

    For the limited number of our executives with whom we had change-in-control agreements (which included each of our executive officers), we amended these agreements to eliminate any "gross-up" payment by the Company of any "golden parachute" excise taxes.

    We eliminated our Corporate Officer Discretionary Allowance program.

    In the 2016 Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at the 2016 Annual Meeting, we added a "double-trigger requirement" for accelerated equity vesting.

    We added a Clawback Policy to our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

    We have engaged in substantial outreach efforts with our major shareholders to gather feedback, who together hold more than a majority of our outstanding shares.

        The Compensation Committee believes that these changes were responsive to feedback from investors and enhancedbelieve enhance the performance orientation of our executive compensation program. the program:

What We Do

Align our executive pay with performance, with a substantial proportion of executive compensation tied to “at risk” elements

Include a “clawback” provision in our Corporate Governance Guidelines that applies to our cash and equity incentive awards

Set challenging performance objectives

Prohibit hedging and pledging of company shares

Appropriately balance short- and long-term incentives

Retain an independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee

Align executive compensation with shareholder returns through performance-based equity incentive awards

Include caps on individual payouts in short- and long-term incentive plans

Use appropriate peer groups methodology and revenue regression when evaluating the competitiveness of compensation

Hold an annual “say-on-pay” advisory vote

Maintain meaningful equity ownership guidelines

Maintain a Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors

Engage in substantial outreach efforts with our major shareholders to gather feedback, including with respect to executive compensation

Conduct an annual risk assessment of our pay practices
What We Don’t Do

No contracts with multi-year guaranteed salary increases or non-performance bonus arrangements

No excessive perquisites

No “single trigger” equity vesting provisions in our current equity award plans

No change-in-control tax gross-ups
In addition, we had a very strong fiscal year in 20172022 with a 43.7%12.3% increase in our total shareholder return, andrevenue, a 15.6%24.7% increase in GAAP diluted earnings per share, a 7.8% increase in non-GAAP EPSdiluted earnings per share from continuing operations.operations, and $619.6 million in cash flow relating to operating activities. Please seeAppendix A to this Proxy Statement for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP EPS to our GAAP EPS for 2017.

2022.

Accordingly, we are asking for shareholder approval of the compensation of our named executive officersexecutives as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

2018 Incentive Plan

        We are asking


3


Corporate Governance Snapshot
The below graphic highlights some of the key elements of our strong governance policies and practices:

Majority voting standard

Expectation of director attendance at 75%+ meetings

Mandatory director retirement age

Proxy access by-law

Annual director and committee assessments

Commitment to ESG principles

Lead Independent Director

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Independent Board Committee chairs

Information security risk oversight by Audit Committee

Stock ownership requirements

Corporate strategy and risk oversight by Board

Political Contribution Policy
Advisory Vote on Frequency of Future Votes on Executive Compensation
In 2017, our shareholders indicated their preference for holding a “say-on-pay” vote on an annual basis. This advisory (non-binding) “say-on-frequency” vote is required once every six years. Shareholders are able to approve our 2018 Incentive Plan (the Plan) authorizingspecify one of four choices for this proposal on the issuanceproxy card: one year, two years, three years, or abstain.
The Board of up to 7,198,598 shares of our common stock. This includes 439,798 of the shares remaining available for issuance under the existing 2016 Incentive Plan and 6,758,800 new shares. Our Board believes that our continued growth depends, in large part, upon our ability to attract, motivate and retain key employees and directors, and that stock incentive awards areDirectors recommends an important means of doing so. Moreover, stock incentive awards will enable us to create appropriate incentives and promote retention among employees of newly acquired businesses. However, because our current pool is not likely to be sufficient to satisfy our prospective equity compensation needs, approval of a new plan is necessary to ensure that we can continue to issue stock incentive awards without disruption.

        In addition, there are several other reasons why we believe approving this 2018 Incentive Plan is important:

    The Plan will allow us to continue to grant equity awards, an important incentive tool for creating shareholder value.
annual advisory vote on executive compensation.

    Equity awards are critical as a recruiting and retention tool.

    Equity awards are critical as a motivational tool.

    We have demonstrated prudent equity compensation practices.

    The Plan includes features designed to protect shareholder interests.

    If the Plan is not approved, we would experience a serious disruption of our compensation programs and we would be compelled to increase the cash component of employee and director compensation.

Ratification of Auditors

We are asking our shareholders to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2018.2023. Set forth below is a summary of PricewaterhouseCoopers'PricewaterhouseCoopers’ fees for services for fiscal years 20172022 and 2016.

2021.
20222021
Audit fees$6,151,413$6,479,044
Audit related fees2,959,0183,258,316
Tax fees980,3531,013,393
All other fees646,3941,646,751
Total$10,737,178$12,397,504
 
 2017 2016 

Audit fees

 $5,375,940 $5,574,758 

Audit-related fees

  1,454,962  767,631 

Tax fees

  1,200,707  1,649,245 

All other fees

  11,015  8,700 

Total

 $8,042,624 $8,000,334 

        DetailDetails regarding these fees can be found on page 8485 of this Proxy Statement.


Shareholder Proposal

The Board recommends a vote against a proposal submitted by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

4


CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

251 Ballardvale Street

Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887

(781) 222-6000



PROXY STATEMENT

For Annual Meeting of Shareholders

to Be Held May 8, 2018




9, 2023

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, of proxies, in the accompanying form, to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the offices of Cooley LLP located at 500 Boylston Street, MassachusettsBoston, MA 02116 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018,9, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., and any postponements or adjournments thereof (the Meeting). The Notice of Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the enclosed proxy card and our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 30, 201731, 2022 are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 29, 2018.30, 2023. Copies of these documents may also be obtained free of charge through our website atwww.criver.com/annual2018.

annual2023.

When proxies in the accompanying form are properly executed and received, the shares represented thereby will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the directions noted thereon. If no direction is indicated on the proxy and it is signed, the shares represented thereby will be voted "voted: “FOR" the election of the Board'sBoard’s nominees as directors, the advisory vote on executive compensation, the 2018 Incentive Plan and the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018.

2023; “ONE YEAR” for the frequency of future votes on executive compensation; and “AGAINST” the shareholder proposal. Proxies submitted via internet voting will be voted in accordance with the directions submitted thereby.

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation via mailing a proxy card may be subsequently changed or revoked by the person giving it at any time before its useit is exercised by delivering to us a written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary at 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any shareholder who submitted their proxy via internet voting may subsequently change or revoke the proxy at any time before it is exercised by voting via the internet at a later time. Any shareholder who has executed a proxy but is present at the Meeting, and who wishes to vote in person, may do so by revoking his or her proxy as described in the preceding sentence.sentences. Shares represented by valid proxies in the form enclosed or submitted via internet voting, received in time for use at the Meeting and not revoked at or prior to the Meeting, will be voted at the Meeting.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Meeting. Votes of shareholders of record who are present at the Meeting in person or by proxy, abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present or represented at the Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.

If you hold your shares of common stock through a broker, bank or other representative, generally the broker or your representative may only vote the common stock that it holds for you in accordance with your instructions. However, if it has not timely received your instructions, the broker or your representative may vote on certain matters for which it has discretionary voting authority. Brokers may not vote without specified instruction in the election of directors (Proposal 1), the advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2), the advisory vote on the frequency of future votes on executive compensation (Proposal 3), or the 2018 Incentive Planshareholder proposal (Proposal 3)5), but may cast discretionary votes in the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 4). If a broker or your representative cannot vote on a particular matter because it does not have discretionary voting authority, this is considered to be a "broker non-vote"“broker non-vote” on that matter.



5


The close of business on March 12, 201816, 2023 has been fixed as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the close of business on March 12, 2018,16, 2023, we had 47,949,22551,181,765 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Holders of common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.

An admission ticket and government-issued picture identification will be required to enter the Meeting. Any individual arriving without an admission ticket will not be admitted to the Meeting unless it can be verified that the individual is a Charles River shareholder as of the record date for the meeting. You may obtain a Meeting ticket by writing to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887.01887 or by sending an email to the following email address: GeneralCounsel@crl.com. If you are a registered holder, please indicate that in your request. If your shares are held by a broker, bank or nominee, you must enclose with your request evidence of your ownership of shares with your ticket request, which you can obtain from your broker, bank or nominee (and, if you wish to vote in person at the Meeting, you will need to bring a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee)nominee giving you the right to vote these shares at the Meeting, since your broker, bank or a nominee is the record holder). Please submit your ticket request and proof of ownership as promptly as possible in order to ensure that you receive your ticket in time for the Meeting. Admission to the Meeting will be on a first-come, first-servedfirst come, first served basis.

The cost of soliciting proxies, including expenses in connection with preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement, will be paid by the Company. In addition, we will reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of our common stock for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to such beneficial owners. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, facsimile and personal solicitation by our directors, officers or employees. No additional compensation will be paid for such solicitation. We have retained Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies at a cost of approximately $12,500 plus reimbursement of expenses.

Votes Required

In accordance with our amended and restated Bylaws,By-laws, a nominee for election as director at the Meeting will be elected if the nominee receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to that nominee'snominee’s election. Our BylawsBy-laws require an incumbent director who has been nominated for reelection and fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election to immediately tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (or another committee designated by the Board) will make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act on the tendered resignation, taking into account the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee'sCommittee’s recommendation, and will publicly disclose its decision within 90 days following certification of the election results. If a director'sdirector’s resignation is accepted by the Board, or if a nominee is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, the Board may fill the vacancy or decrease the size of the Board.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast upon the matter is required to constitute the shareholders' non-bindingshareholders’ approval with respect to ourthe advisory vote on executive compensation program, approve our 2018 Incentive Plan, and ratify(Proposal 2), the advisory vote on the frequency of future votes on executive compensation (Proposal 3), , the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for(Proposal 4), and the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.

shareholder proposal (Proposal 5) as described in the proxy statement. With respect to Proposal 3, if no frequency option receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, the Company will treat the option that receives the most affirmative votes as shareholders’ preferred frequency.

Broker non-votes (if applicable) and abstentions will have no effect on the voting on any matter that requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter (with the exception of Proposal 3). In accordance with NYSE rules, abstentions will have the effect of a vote counted "against" Proposal 3 and broker non-votes will have no effect on the voting of Proposal 3.

matter.



6


PROPOSAL ONE—
ONE —
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Under our Bylaws,the By-laws, the number of members of our Board of Directors is fixed from time to time by the Board, of Directors, but may be increased or decreased either by the shareholders or by the majority of directors then in office.office, subject to the By-laws. Directors serve in office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

The Board of Directors has voted to nominate Mr. James C. Foster, Dr. Nancy C. Andrews, Mr. Robert Bertolini, Mr. Stephen D. Chubb, Dr. Deborah T. Kochevar, Mr. George Llado, Sr., Dr. Martin W. Mackay, Mr. Jean-Paul Mangeolle, Mr. George E. Massaro, Dr. George M. Milne, Jr., Mr. C. Richard Reese, Dr. Craig B. Thompson, and Mr. Richard F. Wallman, and Ms. Virginia M. Wilson for election at the Meeting. There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.

In the event that any nominee shall become unable or unwilling to serve, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy may be voted for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend in that nominee'snominee’s place or the Board may reduce its size. Our Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the election of“FOR” each of thesethe eleven nominees for election as directors.




7


NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS

The following table provides information as of the date of this Proxy Statement about each nominee. In addition to the information presented below regarding each nominee'snominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that led our Board to the conclusion that he or she should serve as a director, we also believe that all of our director nominees have a reputation for integrity, honesty, and adherence to high ethical standards. They each have demonstrated business or scientific acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a commitment of service to Charles River and our Board.

Name and Age as of the
2018 2023
Annual Meeting


Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships

James C. Foster
GRAPHIC (
he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_jamescfoster-bw.jpg]


67

72

Mr. Foster joined us in 1976 as General Counsel and over his tenure has held various staff and managerial positions. Mr. Foster was named President in 1991, Chief Executive Officer in 1992, and ChairmanChair in 2000. Mr. Foster has been a director since 1989.

Mr. Foster was selected to serve as a director on our Board due to his role as our Chief Executive Officer, his depth of knowledge of us and our operations, his acute business judgment, extensive familiarity with the businesses in which we compete, and his lengthy experience with us.

8


Name and Age as of the 2023
Annual Meeting
Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships

Nancy C. Andrews, M.D., Ph.D (she/her/hers)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_nancyandrews-bwlr.jpg]
64
Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital since December 2021. Served as Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology at Duke University from 2007 to December 2021 (and the Nanaline H. Duke endowed chair from 2013 to 2020). From 2007 to 2017, Dr. Andrews served as Dean of the Duke University School of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Duke University. From 2003 to 2007, she served as dean for Basic Sciences and Graduate Studies and Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard University Medical School. From 1999 to 2003, she served as director of the Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.D./Ph.D. Program, and the principal investigator of its MSTP grant. From 1993 to 2006, she was a biomedical research investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Andrews served on the Executive Committee of the MIT Corporation, and is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Dyne Therapeutics. She is an elected member of both the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences and currently serves on the Council of the National Academy of Sciences. She is a former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and a former member of the Scientific Management Review Board at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Andrews also serves on the boards of directors of Novartis International AG and Maze Therapeutics. Dr. Andrews has been a director since February 2020.
Dr. Andrews was selected for the Board in recognition of her distinct perspective as an accomplished physician, scientific researcher, professor, and senior administrator at leading academic institutions and hospitals. She brings to the Board extensive scientific leadership and expertise in oncology, genetics, and pediatric research. Dr. Andrews’ training and experience are particularly suited to understanding and providing insights into the research and development process, which further enhances our position as the partner of choice for our clients’ early-stage drug development programs.

9


Name and Age as of the 2023
Annual Meeting
Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships
Robert Bertolini
GRAPHIC (
he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_robertbertolini-bw.jpg]


56

61

President and Chief Financial Officer of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated from February 2013 to August 2013 (until its acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (n/k/a Bausch Health Companies Inc.)). Mr. Bertolini served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Schering-Plough Corp. from November 2003 until November 2009 (until its merger with Merck & Co) with responsibility for tax, accounting, and financial asset management. Prior to joining Schering-Plough, Mr. Bertolini spent 20 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, ultimately leading its global pharmaceutical industry practice. Mr. Bertolini also servesserved as a director of Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company from 2017 to May 2021, of Actelion from 2011 to 2017, and Idorsia,of Indorsia, Ltd., a Swiss public company. Hecompany, from 2017 until May 2020. Mr. Bertolini also previously served as a director of Genzyme Corporation until its merger with Sanofi-Aventis in 2011 and of Actelion until it was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in June 2017.Corporation. Mr. Bertolini has been a director since January 2011.

Mr. Bertolini'sBertolini’s qualifications to serve as a director include his industry and financial expertise. He has extensive experience in building world-class finance and information technology functions and in leading business development and strategy. Having joined Schering-Plough at a time when it was facing challenges across several areas, Mr. Bertolini was part of the team that turned Schering-Plough around and drove strategic decisions. He has had responsibility for key financial areas including tax, accounting, and financial asset management, and extensive experience in audit, financial controls, and corporate governance. He has expertise in working with small and large health care companies on initial public offerings, licensing, and other strategic issues. As a result of his extensive background in public accounting and prior experience as a public company Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Bertolini qualifies as an "audit“audit committee financial expert"expert” under SEC guidelines.


10


Name and Age as of the
2018 2023
Annual Meeting


Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships

Stephen D. Chubb
GRAPHIC


74


Special Limited Partner of Catalyst Healthcare Ventures, a venture investment firm specializing in medical devices and diagnostic products, since June 2010. From September 2010 through March 2011, Mr. Chubb served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Allegro Diagnostics, Inc., a privately held molecular diagnostics company focused on the development and future sale of innovative genomic tests for the diagnosis, staging, and guided treatment of lung cancer and lung diseases. Mr. Chubb was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matritech, Inc., a publicly traded leading developer of proteomics-based diagnostic products for the early detection of cancer, from its inception in 1987 until December 2007. Mr. Chubb served as President and Chief Executive Officer of T Cell Sciences, Inc. and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cytogen Corp., both publicly traded biotechnology companies. Mr. Chubb also previously served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts and as a director of Caregroup Healthcare System, and currently serves as a director of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mr. Chubb has been a director since 1994.

Mr. Chubb brings to the Board a wealth of industry and business expertise, drawing upon his 30-year history as a Chief Executive Officer, president and board member at a variety of public and private life sciences companies. The Board benefits particularly from Mr. Chubb's strong biotechnology industry expertise, and he also brings a valued perspective given his service to hospitals and healthcare providers. In addition, as a result of his background as a Certified Public Accountant and prior service as a public company Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Chubb qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC guidelines.
Deborah T. Kochevar, D.V.M., Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_deborahtkochevar-bwlr.jpg]
Deborah T. Kochevar,
    D.V.M., Ph.D.
GRAPHIC
66
61

Senior Fellow, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, with a focus on Global One Health and health diplomacy, and Dean Emerita of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University since 2006.2019. From 2018 until 2019, Dr. Kochevar will assume provostserved as Provost and Senior Vice President ad interim dutiesand, from 2006 until 2018, as Dean of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in April 2018.University. Previously, Dr. Kochevar was a long-time faculty member and administrator at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, where she held the Wiley Chair of Veterinary Medical Education. Dr. Kochevar is a past-presidentpast president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Kochevar is active in the American Veterinary Medical Association, having chaired its Council on Education and the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates. Dr. Kochevar serves as a director at Elanco Inc. Dr. Kochevar has been a director since October 2008.

Dr. Kochevar was selected to the Board in recognition of her distinct perspective as a highly distinguished academic and educator in the life sciences. As a boarded diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, with a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology combined with a D.V.M. degree, and with a deep knowledge base of comparative and translational medicine and complex animal models, Dr. Kochevar'sKochevar’s training and experience is particularly suited to understanding and providing insights into the veterinary medical, contract research and drug development support activities that we conduct. Dr. Kochevar also provides the Board with current industry and scientific insights through her ongoing involvement in a broad array of biomedical professional and trade organizations.
organizations and Global OneHealth.


11


Name and Age as of the
2018 2023
Annual Meeting


Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships
George Llado, Sr. (he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_georgellado-bwlr.jpg]
57
Former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As an industry veteran with over 30 years of pharmaceutical business and technology and cyber-security experience, Mr. Llado, through his time at Alexion, contributed to the development and implementation of innovative technology, enabling data-driven insights across Alexion’s R&D, Commercial, Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chain functions. Prior to joining Alexion, Mr. Llado served as Vice President and business line CIO for Merck and Co., where he led the planning and development of IT solutions for the company’s Manufacturing Division. Before that, he was Merck’s Vice President, IT and business line CIO for the Global Commercial Organization and various corporate G&A functions. He led the large-scale merger integration of Merck and Schering-Plough across the IT and Shared Business Services organizations. He also held several other positions of increasing responsibility at Merck, and previously worked at Citibank, N.A. Mr. Llado serves on the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Board, where he participates on the board’s Development Committee and has sponsored key programs such as “Counselors for Computing” that have advanced the organization’s membership. He also serves on the Temple Fox Business School IT Advisory Board. Mr. Llado has been a director since October 2020.
Mr. Llado was selected to the Board in recognition of his extensive experience as a senior executive at global companies in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as his technology and cyber-security expertise.
Martin W. Mackay, Ph.D.
GRAPHIC (
he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_martinmackay-bw.jpg]
6267
Dr. Mackay is co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer, and director of Rallybio Corporation, a privately-held early-stage biotechnology company incorporated in January 2018.2018, which only recently became a public company in July 2021. From May 2013 to June 2017, Dr. Mackay served as the Global Head of Research & Development at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and, from July 2010 to January 2013, Dr. Mackay served as the President of R&D at AstraZeneca PLC, where he led the research and development organization and had overall accountability for delivering new products from its pipeline.

Dr. Mackay'sMackay has served as a director of Novo Nordisk since March 2018. From October 2020 through April 2022, Dr. Mackay served as a director of 5:01 Acquisition Corp., a blank check company whose primary purpose was to effect a business combination, and which has never engaged in operating activities. Dr. Mackay has been a director of the Company since July 2017.
Dr. Mackay’s extensive experience leading research and development organizations at both global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies provides us with a unique combination of expertise. Dr. Mackay has been a director since July 2017.

12


Name and Age as of the 2023
Annual Meeting
Jean-Paul Mangeolle
GRAPHIC
56Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and DirectorshipsMr. Mangeolle serves on the Board of Gelest, a New Mountain Capital company. He was the President of Sciex, a group composed of ABSciex and Phomonenex, two operating companies of Danaher, from July 2014 to September 2017. He was Executive Vice President of Merck KGaA from July 2010 to July 2012 and President at Millipore from July 2005 to July 2010.

Mr. Mangeolle's extensive experience leading global life science and bioscience companies, with a specific focus on high-end instrumentation, provides us with a unique combination of expertise particular to our Manufacturing Support business segment. Mr. Mangeolle has been a director since January 2018.
George E. Massaro (he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_georgemassaro-bwlr.jpg]
75

George E. Massaro
GRAPHIC


70


Former Director and Vice ChairmanChair of Huron Consulting Group, Inc., a management consulting company since May 2010.from 2010 to 2020. Mr. Massaro was non-Executive ChairmanChair of the Board of Huron Consulting Group from July 2009 to May 2010, Director and Vice ChairmanChair of Huron Consulting Group since June 2004 (Vice ChairmanChair since March 2005), Chief Operating Officer of Huron Consulting Group, Inc. and Huron Consulting Services LLC from June 2003 until March 2005, and Managing Director of Huron Consulting Services LLC from August 2002 to May 2003. He was the Managing Partner of Arthur Andersen LLP'sLLP’s New England practice from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Massaro also served as a director of Eastern Bank Corporation, an independent mutual bank holding company in New England from 2003 through 2017. Mr. Massaro has been a director since 2003.

Mr. Massaro has more than 35 years of accounting and auditing experience with expertise in a broad range of areas. As a former managing partner of a major accounting firm, Mr. Massaro brings a deep knowledge of financial reporting, and auditing and tax matters applicable to a variety of industries. Mr. Massaro also provides business acumen from his numerous senior positions at Huron Consulting, as well as his service on boards of other companies. As a result of his extensive background in public accounting and prior experience at Arthur Andersen, Mr. Massaro qualifies as an "audit“audit committee financial expert"expert” under SEC guidelines.
C. Richard Reese (he/him/

his)
Name and Age as of the
2018 Annual Meeting


Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships

George M. Milne, Jr., Ph.D.
GRAPHIC


74


Venture partner of Radius Ventures LLC since 2003. Dr. Milne retired from Pfizer Inc. in 2002 after a 32-year career encompassing a broad array of management responsibilities, including as Executive Vice President, Pfizer Global Research and Development; President, Worldwide Strategic and Operations Management; President of Central Research with global responsibility for Pfizer's Human and Veterinary Medicine Research and Development; Senior Vice President of Pfizer Inc.; and a member of the Pfizer Management Council. Dr. Milne serves on the board of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals and several private companies and charitable organizations. In the past five years, he has served on the boards of Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. and Athersys, Inc. Dr. Milne has been a director since 2002.

With his strong scientific background (including a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry), his long tenure at Pfizer Inc., his work as a venture partner with Radius Ventures and through his service on multiple life science boards, Dr. Milne has a deep understanding of R&D processes and the services, tools, and technologies used in the life sciences industry, and supplies particular insights into industry drivers as well as the concerns and perspectives of the consumers of our products and services. In addition, he has had exposure to strategic and operational issues relevant to board leadership through his prior roles at Pfizer and on other public and private company boards. Dr. Milne also brings a unique industry perspective from his biomedical venture capital activities through Radius Ventures.
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_crichardreese-bw.jpg]

C. Richard Reese
GRAPHIC77


72


Former ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer of Iron Mountain Incorporated, a global public information protection and storage company. Mr. Reese originally served as the Chief Executive Officer of Iron Mountain from 1981-2008 and then again from 2011-2012 and served as its ChairmanChair from 1995-2008 and as Executive ChairmanChair between June 2008 and April 2011. Mr. Reese has been a director since 2007.

Mr. Reese is a proven global business leader who, from the time he joined Iron Mountain as its president in 1981 with only $3 million in annual revenue, developed it into a global company with over $3 billion in revenue and more than 100,000 corporate customers. As a member of our Board, Mr. Reese provides us with invaluable guidance and advice, particularly in the areas of strategic execution, customer service, and innovation, drawing upon his extensive experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and proven track record.


13


Name and Age as of the
2018 2023
Annual Meeting


Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships
Craig B. Thompson, M.D.
GRAPHIC (
he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_craigthompson-bwlr.jpg]
6570
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center since November 2010.from 2010 to September 2022. Dr. Thompson continues to oversee a research laboratory at the Sloan Kettering Institute focusing on cellular metabolism and its role in cancer. From 2006 to 2010, Dr. Thompson served as the Director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and, from 1999 to 2011, he was a Professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Thompson is currently a fellowmember of the Board of Directors of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and he previously served on the Board of Directors of Merck & Co. Inc. from 2009 to 2018. He is also a board member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Economic Club of New York, and a member of the Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards Prize Committee. Dr. Thompson is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; and member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and of the National Academy of Sciences, and its National Academythe Association of Medicine.American Physicians. Dr. Thompson isholds a directornumber of Merck & Co.patents related to immunotherapy and apoptosis and has founded three biotechnology companies, including Agios Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Thompson has been a director since 2013.

December 2022.
Dr. Thompson was selected to the Board in recognition of his distinct perspective as a highly distinguished academic and educator in medicine as well as his extensive scientific and medical expertise relevant to life science industries, including the research and development activities of our clients. Dr. Thompson'sThompson’s training and experience is particularly suited to understanding and providing insights into the contract research and drug development support activities we conduct. Dr. Thompson also provides the Board with current industry and medical insights.
Richard F. Wallman
(
he/him/his)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_richardwallman-bwlr.jpg]
Richard F. Wallman
GRAPHIC
7166
From 1995 through 2003, Mr. Wallman served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Honeywell International, Inc., a diversified technology company, and AlliedSignal, Inc. (prior to its merger with Honeywell). He is also a member of the boards of directors of Roper IndustriesTechnologies, Inc., Wright Medical Group,SmileDirectClub, Inc., Boart Longyear Limited and Extended Stay America, Inc.,CECO Environmental Corp. and in the past five years has served as a member of the boards of Convergys CorporationExtended Stay America, Boart Longyear Limited, and Dana Holding Corporation.Wright Medical Group, Inc. Mr. Wallman has been a director since January 2011.

Mr. Wallman'sWallman’s leadership experience, including his role as a Chief Financial Officer, and his financial and outside board experience, provide him with an informed understanding of the financial issues and risks that affect us.

14


Name and Age as of the 2023
Annual Meeting
Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships
Virginia M. Wilson
(
she/her/hers)
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_virginiawilson-bwlr.jpg]
68
Retired Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TIAA, where she was responsible for leading finance and actuarial functions. Prior to joining TIAA in 2010, Ms. Wilson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, leading Wyndham’s finance and technology organizations following its spin-off from Cendant Corporation in 2006. Previously, she served as Cendant’s Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and also served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of both MetLife, Inc. and Transamerica’s life insurance division. Ms. Wilson began her career at Deloitte and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a former member of the board of directors of Conduent Incorporated. Ms. Wilson has been a director since October 2019.
Ms. Wilson brings to the Board more than 30 years of financial management experience overseeing the accounting, actuarial, tax, and financial planning and reporting functions at large, multinational organizations. In addition, as a result of her background as a Certified Public Accountant and prior service as a public company Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Wilson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC guidelines.


15


Nominee Qualifications and Attributes
Our director nominees’ primary skills, qualifications and attributes are highlighted in the following matrix. The matrix is intended as a high-level summary and not an exhaustive list of each director’s skills or contributions to the Board.
[MISSING IMAGE: lg_charlesriver-4c.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_jamescfoster-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_nancyandrews-bwlr.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_robertbertolini-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_deborahtkochevar-bwlr.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_georgellado-bwlr.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_martinmackay-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_georgemassaro-bwlr.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_crichardreese-bw.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_craigthompson-bwlr.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_richardwallman-bwlr.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: ph_virginiawilson-bwlr.jpg]
James C.
Foster
Nancy C.
Andrews
Robert
Bertolini
Deborah T.
Kochevar
George
Llado, Sr.
Martin W.
Mackay
George E.
Massaro
C. Richard
Reese
Craig B.
Thompson
Richard F.
Wallman
Virginia M.
Wilson
Public Company
CEO or CFO
Industry*
Senior Business
Management
Business Development /
Corporate Strategy
Finance / Accounting
International
Business Management
R&D / Scientific
Information Technology /
Digital / Cyber
ESG
Human Capital
Management
Risk Management
Diversity**
Military Veteran
*
Includes experience in any of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic device, or manufacturing industries.
**
Includes gender, race, and LGBTQIA+ self-identification.
Dr. Mackay is a Strong and Qualified Choice for Director
Our Board recognizes that certain shareholders may have questions about the public company commitments of Dr. Mackay, given he is the CEO of Rallybio Corporation and currently serves on a total of three public company boards, including the Company. Since Rallybio Corporation became a public company in July 2021, Dr. Mackay’s commitment and service to the Company has continued to be considerable and unwavering.
The Board believes that Dr. Mackay is exceptionally qualified to continue to serve on the Board and that he brings a unique background that is critical to the overall experience of the Board. Dr. Mackay’s extensive industry experience, including his service on various boards in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, provides him with a distinct perspective on our business and the products and services we provide to our clients. Dr. Mackay also offers the Board his specialized expertise in areas such as:

senior business management, including business administration and vision and strategy-setting;

16



industry research and development, including scientific expertise and focus;

business development and corporate strategy, including experience at the executive level in the strategic and tactical aspect of consummating transactions;

international business management, including experience leading a global business;

human capital management, including overseeing the development, implementation, and administration of human resource programs, policies and procedures across many functions throughout a large organization; and

risk management, including experience developing, evaluating and communicating risk policies and processes.
Dr. Mackay is a highly engaged member of our Board and has effectively managed his commitments throughout his tenure with the Company. He has attended each meeting of the board and the respective committees on which he has served since 2021 and has attended all but one board meeting and one committee meeting since joining the Board in 2017. Dr. Mackay is consistently prepared, acts as a fully active participant in the Board’s meetings and deliberations and is available for consultation with the other directors and serves an important role in the strong oversight of management. Dr. Mackay’s annual evaluations, conducted by the Corporate Governance

and Nominating Committee of the Board, have consistently reflected his strong performance and contributions to the Company, including his exceptional and inclusive leadership skills. Furthermore, Dr. Mackay currently does not chair any committee of the Board, and if re-elected has not been designated as a chair of any Board committee.

After thorough consideration and evaluation of Dr. Mackay’s performance as a director, the Board unanimously recommends the re-election of Dr. Mackay at the 2023 Annual Meeting. As with any director of the Company, in the event that Dr. Mackay’s engagement as a director declines, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will reevaluate its recommendation.
Tenure and Age Distribution
In addition to the skills, qualifications and attributes noted above, we believe the composition of our director nominees will ensure a balance of deep knowledge of the Company along with fresh perspectives.
TenureAge
Newer Tenured (<5 years)4<60 years1   
Medium Tenured (6-10 years)160-70 years6   
Longer Tenured (>10 years)6>70 years4   
Board Diversity
Diversity in gender and race/ethnicity is considered in the selection and retention of our directors, as it is important that our directors can provide the Board with a range of informative viewpoints and perspectives. The below graphic highlights the self-identified diversity of our director nominees.
[MISSING IMAGE: pc_diverse-bw.jpg]

17


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
Board Leadership Structure and the Role of the Board of Directors in Risk Oversight
We are led by Mr. James C. Foster, who has served as our President since 1991, our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 1992 and Chair of the Board since 2000. Our Board of Directors is currently composed of Mr. Foster and ten directors, nine of whom are independent.. One of our independent directors, currently Mr. George E. Massaro, serves as our Lead Director. It is our current practice that the positions of Chair of the Board and CEO be held by the same person. We believe that this leadership structure has been effective for us because it promotes clear accountability, effective decision-making and alignment on corporate strategy. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the election, by the independent directors, of a Lead Director. The Lead Director helps to provide independent oversight and is responsible for ensuring that the Board is acting in conformity with good corporate governance practices and in our long-term best interests. Our Lead Director has broad responsibility and authority, including to:

establish, with the Chair of the Board, the schedule and agendas for Board and committee meetings, including approving meeting agendas and assuring there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

develop agendas for, and preside over, executive sessions of the Board’s independent directors;

assist the Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee in monitoring and implementing our Corporate Governance Guidelines;

serve as the principal liaison between the Chair and the independent directors;

interview all director candidates and make recommendations to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;

be available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication with shareholders;

retain outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board on Board level issues; and

on an annual basis, in consultation with the independent directors, review his responsibility and authority and recommend for approval any modifications or changes to the Board.
We believe that having a combined Chair/CEO, independent chairs for each of our Board committees and an independent Lead Director provides the right form of leadership for us. The benefit of a combined Chair/CEO role is complemented by the benefit of oversight of our operations by experienced independent directors who have appointed a Lead Director and independent committee chairs. This combination has served us well for many years and we have found it to be an efficient and effective leadership model for us. The Board selects our Board leadership in the manner that it determines to be in the best interests of our shareholders. From time to time, and at least annually, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee conducts an assessment of this leadership structure. The Board believes its risk management processes are well-supported by the current Board leadership structure.
The Board oversees our risk oversight process and performs this oversight role using several different levels of review. In connection with its reviews of the operations of our business units and corporate functions, particularly during the annual strategic planning sessions, the Board is informed of the primary risks associated with those units and functions. Principally, the Board satisfies its responsibility through receiving and evaluating regular reports from each committee chair regarding such committee’s consideration and actions, as well as through receiving and evaluating regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of our particular risks, including operational, financial, legal, regulatory, strategic and reputational risks. Such reporting enables the Board to understand our risk identification, management and mitigation strategies. The Company periodically reviews and evaluates its enterprise risk management (ERM) program, subsequently taking steps to further formalize and enhance the ERM program, the effect of which is to enhance the Board’s ability to implement its risk oversight responsibilities.
Areas of risk oversight that generally remain at the Board level and are not delegated to any Committee include risks related to our operational regulatory matters (such as quality control, humane care, and data privacy) and significant business decisions. The Board satisfies this oversight responsibility through regular

18


reports from our officers responsible for each of these risk areas, reports from Board committees and related discussions, as well as through periodic progress reports from officers on our critical ongoing initiatives. The Board also consults periodically with outside advisors when it determines necessary.
Each of the Board’s committees oversees the management of our risks that fall within the committee’s areas of responsibility. A description of each committee’s risk oversight focus is below. In performing this function, each committee has full access to management, as well as the ability to engage advisors. The chair of the relevant committee reports on key risks to the full Board at the next Board meeting. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships.
Audit Committee and Financial Experts
The Audit Committee met four times in 2022. The current members of the Audit Committee are: Ms. Wilson (Chair) and Messrs. Bertolini and Massaro. The Board has unanimously determined that Messrs. Bertolini and Massaro and Ms. Wilson each qualify as “audit committee financial experts” under SEC rules and NYSE standards for financial literacy and expertise. In addition, the Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is “independent” under the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:

engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm;

selecting the lead engagement partner at our independent registered public accounting firm;

reviewing the plans and results of the audit engagement with our independent registered public accounting firm;

approving services performed by, and the independence of, our independent registered public accounting firm;

considering the range of audit and non-audit fees;

discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting;

reviewing annual and quarterly financial statements and earnings releases; and

administering our Related Persons Transaction Policy and approving transactions with related persons in accordance with this policy.
A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at www.criver.com under the “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance” caption.
As part of its charter and as required by the NYSE, the Audit Committee discusses our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including our major financial risk exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control these exposures. The Audit Committee assumes primary oversight responsibility for our risk management framework as it applies to our financial reporting and disclosures, system of internal controls, and operations, including the identification of the primary risks to our business and interim updates of those risks (such as risk exposures related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters), and periodically monitors and evaluates the risks associated with particular business units and functions through participation and monitoring of the development of the annual external and internal audit plans. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of our risks relating to accounting matters, financial reporting (including tax, legal and related regulatory compliance), financial policies, cash management, and information security. The head of our Internal Audit department, who functionally reports to the Audit Committee, assists us in identifying and evaluating risk management controls and methodologies to address identified risks. At each of its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee meets in executive session with representatives from our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also has direct interaction with our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, General Counsel and other members of management. In addition to the items mentioned above, the Audit Committee also receives regular reports, including quarterly reports from the Company’s management

19


Disclosure Committee, regarding issues such as the status of material litigation, allegations of accounting and auditing concerns or fraud and related person transactions.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee met three times during 2022. The current members of the Compensation Committee are: Messrs. Reese (Chair), Llado, Massaro, and Wallman. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee is “independent” under the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:

review and approval of our compensation and benefits designs and programs generally for competitiveness and/or material changes as it relates to the total compensation packages of our executive officers and senior vice presidents, including the review and recommendation of any incentive-compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to Board approval;

review and approval of the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and each of our executive officers (and is consulted with regard to senior vice presidents), including any long-term incentive component of each executive officer’s compensation;

review and approval of the terms and conditions of employment, including compensation, as a result of any succession changes as determined by the board; and

review and assessment of risks arising from our employee compensation policies and practices.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for oversight of risks arising from our employee compensation policies and practices. As part of its charter and as required by the SEC, the Compensation Committee prepares the Compensation Committee Report to be included in our annual report on Form 10-K or annual proxy statement. The Compensation Committee also reviews and discusses our Compensation Discussion and Analysis which is included in this Proxy Statement on pages 42-60.
As discussed below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements—Compensation Setting Process”, other than Mr. Foster and Ms. Victoria Creamer (she/her/hers), Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, none of our executive officers plays a significant, ongoing role in assisting the Compensation Committee in setting executive compensation. The Compensation Committee also administers our equity incentive plans other than with respect to grants to our non-employee directors. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website at www.criver.com under the “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance” caption.
To assist it in satisfying its oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee has retained an independent compensation consultant, and meets both regularly and periodically as needed with management to understand the financial, human resources, and shareholder implications of compensation decisions being made. Between formal Compensation Committee meetings, the Compensation Committee Chair also interacts regularly with management and the Compensation Committee’s outside consultants. In addition, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, the Human Resources, Legal and Internal Audit functions annually conduct a review of our overall compensation programs.
The Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance, LLC (Pay Governance) as its independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee on matters related to 2022 executive compensation. Pay Governance generally assists the Compensation Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities under its charter, including advising on proposed compensation packages for our senior executives, compensation program design and market practices generally, guidance on how to appropriately compensate officers, regularly attending Compensation Committee meetings and other topics as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee has authorized Pay Governance to interact with management on behalf of the Compensation Committee, as needed, in connection with advising the Compensation Committee. With respect to fiscal year 2022 compensation determinations, Pay Governance specifically assisted in the following:

evaluating and recommending adjustments to our peer groups;

benchmarking and analyzing executive compensation levels and recommending pay strategies (but not necessarily specific pay levels) for 2023, including providing executive compensation insights and market;

20



performing initial and ongoing calculations related to the Performance Share Unit grants to our corporate officers, including tracking and reviewing calculations of Total Shareholder Return relative to peers;

assisting with the calculations of compensation information to be included in our Proxy Statement, including requirements for new pay versus performance disclosure included in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Pay versus Performance”;

providing analyses related to the Company’s long-term incentive structure and design compared to market practice;

providing advice with respect to the Compensation Committee’s analysis of director compensation, including competitive market data; and

providing assistance in understanding the perspective of institutional shareholder proxy advisors.
For more information on the input Pay Governance provided to our fiscal year 2022 compensation determinations, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements—Compensation Setting Process” on pages 49-50 of this Proxy Statement.
Except as described above, in 2022 we did not receive any other services from Pay Governance, nor have we utilized the services of any other compensation consultant in matters affecting senior executive or director compensation. Any significant Pay Governance fees outside of the normal scope of work are approved for payment by the Compensation Committee chair.
Pay Governance provided the Compensation Committee with a letter addressing the independence factors under NYSE listing rules, and in compliance with SEC and the NYSE disclosure requirements regarding the independence of compensation consultants, the Compensation Committee took that information into account in concluding that there was no conflict of interest. Based upon this and other relevant factors, the Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Pay Governance and concluded that Pay Governance’s work for the Compensation Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met four times during 2022. The current members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are: Drs. Kochevar (Chair) and Andrews, Mr. Llado, and Ms. Wilson. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is “independent” under the rules of the NYSE. The responsibilities of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee include:

to make recommendations to the Board on all matters relating to the Board and Board Committee nominees, including oversight of searches for and identification of qualified candidates for membership on the Board, criteria for Board and Board Committee membership, review of Board and Board Committee composition, review of the service of all directors on boards of other public companies, rotation of committee members and chairs, and any other factors set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines;

to review and approve director compensation (including equity-based compensation) and director orientation and continuing education; and

to develop and oversee compliance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code), including oversight of our program relating to corporate responsibility and sustainability (including ESG matters) and oversight of our engagement efforts with stockholders and other key stakeholders.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for oversight of risks relating to Board succession planning, ethics practices, matters addressed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and other corporate governance issues, particularly to the extent that any of these could affect our operations and strategic decisions.

21


A copy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the Code is available on our website at www.criver.com under the “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance” caption. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee periodically reviews the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Code and recommends any changes to the Board for approval.
Board Evaluations
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee conducts a multi-part evaluation process each year, which most recently consisted of: (1) a full Board evaluation, (2) evaluations of each committee, (3) director self-assessments, and (4) peer-to-peer director evaluations. The purpose of this process is to determine whether the Board and the committees are functioning effectively. For 2022, the Board and committee evaluations were conducted by a combination of written questionnaires and one-on-one interviews conducted by the chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Lead Director. The performance criteria for each committee is based on the responsibilities of the committee as set forth in its respective charter. The performance assessment also addresses factors such as each director’s meeting attendance, core competencies, independence, and level of commitment. Upon completion of this evaluation process for the most recent year, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reported its conclusions to the full Board. On a regular basis, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the evaluation process to determine if changes or enhancements should be made. Following the most recent evaluation process, the Board identified important areas of focus during the upcoming year. We intend to utilize an external facilitator in conjunction with our board and committee evaluation process periodically; we last engaged such an external facilitator with respect to our 2021 Board and committee evaluations.
Director Candidates
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses a variety of methods to identify and evaluate nominees for directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected. For the purposes of succession planning, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee through current Board members, executive officers, professional search firms, shareholders or other persons. All candidates complete a nominee questionnaire that solicits information regarding the nominee’s background, board experience, industry experience, independence, financial expertise and other relevant information, and are interviewed by at least one member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. These candidates are discussed at regular or special meetings of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and may be considered at any point during the year. As described below, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers any director candidates recommended by shareholders as well as properly submitted shareholder nominations for candidates for the Board. Shareholders may submit director recommendations to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. If any materials are provided by a shareholder in connection with the nomination of a director candidate instead, such materials are forwarded to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Such nominations must be in accordance with our By-laws. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also reviews materials provided by professional search firms or other parties. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates all candidates based on the minimum qualifications described below under “— Board Nomination Process” as well as the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. In evaluating nominations, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee seeks to recommend to shareholders a group that can best oversee our success and represent shareholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in various areas. Whether the nominee is recommended by a shareholder or the Board, there is no difference in the manner in which the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates nominees.
Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee
The Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee met seven times during 2022. The current members of the Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee are: Messrs. Bertolini (Chair), Foster,

22


Reese and Wallman and Dr. Thompson. The Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee is responsible for reviewing our capital structure, financial strategies, major acquisitions and investment policies to support prudent and effective capital allocation. The Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee is responsible for review of:

matters pertaining to our portfolio of business;

major acquisitions and capital investment projects;

our capital structure and material financial strategies;

our derivatives and hedging strategies (in coordination with the Audit Committee);

our investment policies and practices, including requirements for major acquisitions and divestitures, collaborations and joint ventures;

matters pertaining to our long-term business objectives and strategic plan development, including making recommendations for the Board for approval; and

our dividend and share repurchase policies and programs and other strategies to return capital to stockholders (subject to consideration and implementation, if any).
Science and Technology Committee
The Science and Technology Committee met four times during 2022. The current members of the Science and Technology Committee are: Drs. Andrews (Chair), Kochevar, Mackay and Thompson, and Mr. Llado. The Science and Technology Committee is responsible for:

identifying and discussing significant emerging trends and issues in research and development and science and technology;

reviewing, evaluating, and advising the board regarding our technology and scientific programs and initiatives;

reviewing, evaluating, and advising the Board on progress in developing and/or acquiring the scientific and technological resources and expertise required to achieve our long-term strategic goals and objectives;

reviewing and making recommendations to the Board on our internal and external investments in science and technology;

reviewing our approaches to acquiring and/or gaining access to a range of distinct science and technology resources; and

reviewing, evaluating, and advising the Board regarding the Company’s assessment of the risks and benefits associated with technologies in which we are currently or potentially investing, or those that represent a significant portion of our research and development efforts.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met one time in 2022. The current members of the Finance Committee are: Mr. Wallman (Chair) and Dr. Mackay. The Finance Committee is responsible for:

assisting the Board in providing ongoing, broad-based guidance and input to management regarding opportunities to enhance finance systems and practices and to promote heightened levels of financial performance and efficiency;

reviewing and making recommendations to enhance the finance systems and practices used to support our portfolio of business;

reviewing our finance policies and practices; and

reviewing and making recommendations on matters pertaining to the finance systems and practices required to support our long-term business objectives and strategic plan.

23


Board Nomination Process
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee adopted criteria regarding the qualifications required for Board nominees, which can be found in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. These criteria are designed to assure that the Board is composed of successful individuals who demonstrate integrity, reliability, knowledge of corporate affairs and an ability to work well together. The primary consideration in the selection and retention of directors is their respective ability to fairly represent the interests of our stakeholders. Diversity in business background, gender, race/ethnicity, area of expertise, skills, educational background, nationality, industry, geography, and age are also considered, as well as other factors that can provide the Board with a range of informative viewpoints and perspectives. The criteria for director nominees include: the candidate’s professional experience and personal accomplishments; the candidate’s independence from us and management; the ability of the candidate to attend Board and committee meetings regularly and devote an appropriate amount of effort in preparation for those meetings; the candidate’s ability to function as a member of a collaborative group; and the candidate’s understanding of the Board’s governance role. In addition, the Board evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending to shareholders a group that can best oversee the success of the business and represent shareholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of backgrounds and experiences in various areas. In determining whether to recommend a director for reelection, the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board is also taken into consideration.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders. Shareholders may submit director recommendations to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. If nominations are being made instead, then pursuant to our By-laws, nominations for directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders must meet the requirements under our By-Laws, and must be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s meeting. For information about submitting shareholder proposals, including director nomination proposals, please see the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Shareholder Proposals for 2024 Annual Meeting”.
Meeting Attendance
All Board members are expected to attend our Annual Meetings of Shareholders, unless an emergency prevents them from doing so. All members of the Board serving at that time attended the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. During 2022, there were seven meetings of the Board. Each director attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of Board meetings and the committee meetings of the Board on which he or she served during 2022.
Other Board Service
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors generally may not serve on more than five boards of directors of other publicly traded companies (in addition to our Board or the board of directors of a director’s employer). Members of the Audit Committee generally may not serve on more than three publicly traded company audit committees simultaneously (including that of our company). In addition, service on boards and/or committees of other organizations must be consistent with our conflict of interest policies.
Contacting the Board of Directors
In order to provide shareholders and other interested parties with a direct and open line of communication to the Board, we adopted the following procedures for communications to directors. Shareholders and other interested parties may contact the Lead Director, any other directors or the independent members of the Board as a group through our Lead Director, Mr. Massaro, by writing to the Lead Director, c/o Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887, or by email at CRLLeadDirector@crl.com. All communications received in this manner will be kept confidential, if requested, and relevant information will be forwarded by the Corporate Secretary to the Lead Director or to other directors if the communication is so directed. Items that are unrelated to a director’s duties and responsibilities as a board member may be excluded by the

24


Corporate Secretary, including solicitations and advertisements, junk mail, product related communications, job referral materials such as resumes, surveys and material that is determined to be illegal or otherwise inappropriate. Any communication so excluded will be made available to any independent director upon request.
2022 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We use a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. Linking a portion of their compensation to stock aligns the interests of directors with the interests of shareholders. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to us, as well as the skill levels required by us of members of the Board.
The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our directors for the year ended December 31, 2022. Please note that Mr. Foster receives no compensation for his role as director, and the entirety of his compensation is reported in the Summary Compensation Table located on pages 61-62 of this Proxy Statement.
NameFees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
Stock Awards
($)(2)
Option Awards
($)(3)
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
Total
($)
George E. Massaro . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$113,750$127,828$127,098$$368,676
Robert Bertolini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
88,750127,828127,098343,676
Virginia M. Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . .
88,750127,828127,098343,676
C. Richard Reese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83,750127,828127,098338,676
Nancy C. Andrews . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82,500127,828127,098337,426
Deborah T. Kochevar . . . . . . . . . . .
78,750127,828127,098333,676
Richard F. Wallman . . . . . . . . . . . .
78,750127,828127,098333,676
Martin Mackay(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
86,250122,048121,474329,772
George Llado, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63,750127,828127,098318,676
George M. Milne, Jr.(6). . . . . . . . . .
15,00015,000
Craig B. Thompson(7). . . . . . . . . . .
(1)
Reflects the aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned for services as a director, including annual retainer fees, committee, and/or committee chair fees. A description of the applicable fees can be found in the narrative below this table. For the following directors, each elected to receive all of their cash retainers in the form of an equivalent value of restricted stock units (RSUs) instead of cash: Mr. Bertolini, Dr. Mackay, Dr. Milne, Mr. Reese, Mr. Wallman, and Mr. Llado.
(2)
Amounts reflect the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to directors in fiscal year 2022 as part of their annual equity grant in May 2022, with the exception of Dr. Thompson (who joined the Board in December 2022 and received his pro-rated equity grant in January 2023), computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC) Topic 718. See Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements” and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Stock Based Compensation,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for a discussion of the assumptions used by us in the Black-Scholes valuation model. As of December 31, 2022, each then current director held the aggregate number of unvested RSUs as follows: Dr. Andrews—575, Mr. Bertolini—980, Dr. Kochevar—575, Mr. Llado—867, Dr. Mackay—841, Mr. Massaro—575, Mr. Reese—957, Dr. Thompson—0, Mr. Wallman—935, and Ms. Wilson—575.
(3)
Amounts reflect the grant date fair value of directors’ stock options granted in fiscal year 2022 as part of their annual equity grant in May 2022, with the exception of Dr. Thompson (who joined the Board in December 2022 and received his pro-rated equity grant in January 2023), computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model utilizing our

25


assumptions. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Stock-based Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, for a discussion of the assumptions used by us in the Black-Scholes valuation model. As of December 31, 2022, each current director held the aggregate number of option awards as follows: Dr. Andrews—5,845, Mr. Bertolini—5,272, Dr. Kochevar—2,733, Mr. Llado—3,724, Dr. Mackay—5,202, Mr. Massaro—2,733, Mr. Reese—5,272, Dr. Thompson—0, Mr. Wallman— 5,272, and Ms. Wilson—5,272.
(4)
None of our directors received perquisites or other personal benefits equal to or exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate.
(5)
To reflect his contributions to board leadership in connection with the transition of Mr. Milne from our Lead Independent Director position, Dr. Mackay was provided an additional compensation amount of $11,250 in 2022. While originally reflected as a cash retainer amount adjustment of $22,500 in January 2022, the net amount was achieved through a downward adjustment of Dr. Mackay’s May 2022 equity award by $11,250.
(6)
Dr. Milne’s term as director ended upon his retirement on May 10, 2022.
(7)
Dr. Thompson was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2022 but did not receive cash or equity compensation for his service until January 2023.
In 2022, we paid each non-employee director an annual base cash fee of $65,000 for service as our director. Members of the Audit Committee were paid an additional annual cash fee of $5,000 in recognition of the additional meetings the Audit Committee holds. Additional cash fees are paid to the Lead Director ($45,000), Chair of the Audit Committee ($25,000), Chair of the Compensation Committee ($20,000), Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee ($15,000), Chair of the Finance Committee ($15,000), Chair of the Science and Technology Committee ($15,000), and Chair of the Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee ($20,000) for their added responsibilities. Beginning in May 2023, the amount of additional cash fees paid to the Chairs of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, Finance Committee, and Science and Technology Committee will be increased from $15,000 to $20,000. No additional fees are paid for attending meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board. We reimburse expenses incurred by directors in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and of its respective committees.
The Board believes there is a greater opportunity for alignment of the Board’s compensation structure with the interests of the Company’s shareholders in creating sustained, long-term value by affording the Company’s independent directors the opportunity to receive all or a significant percentage of their compensation in the form of RSUs, with the ability to defer receipt of those RSUs for an extended period of time. Accordingly, (1) directors are permitted to elect in advance to receive their annual cash fees in the form of equivalent value RSUs; and (2) we have established the Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan, which allows directors, if they so choose, to defer receipt of all or a portion of their RSUs for up to a period of five years.
Our non-employee director equity compensation policy for each unaffiliated non-employee director provides for (1) equity having an intended value of approximately $255,500 on the first day of the month following his or her initial election or appointment to the Board; provided, however, that the value of the equity award will be paid pro rata based on the number of months that have elapsed during the Board term, and (2) equity having an intended value of approximately $255,500 on an annual basis following our annual meeting of shareholders. In fiscal 2022, equity grants were issued half in restricted stock or RSUs and half in the form of stock options (utilizing Black-Scholes pricing models).
Under our shareholder-approved Amended and Restated 2018 Incentive Plan, in a single year, no non-employee director may receive equity awards with a grant date fair value that, when combined with any cash or other compensation granted in the same year, exceeds an aggregate amount of $800,000 (excluding the aggregate grant date fair value of any initial award made to such non-employee director upon his or her initial election or appointment to the Board, which will not exceed $600,000).

26


Director Stock Ownership Requirement
In order to further align the interests of directors and shareholders, the Board has mandated that, to the extent permissible, directors have a significant financial stake in the Company. Accordingly, as set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, we require that each director own a minimum number of shares of vested Company stock with a value equivalent to five times the annual cash retainer that such director is eligible to receive during his or her then current term as a member of the Board. Newly elected directors have five (5) years from election to comply with the new requirement, and in the interim the prior requirement is applicable. Board members who are subject to third party restrictions on their stock holdings (e.g., certain academic institutions) shall be permitted to own stock in an amount that is appropriate for them in light of such other restrictions. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, all of our directors who have served at least three years on the Board are in compliance with the prior holding requirement.
OUR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
We continue to increase our commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. As a company, we recognize that the way in which we do business influences the results we seek to achieve. Accordingly, we strive to promote and support business practices that are environmentally sustainable, socially conscious and aligned with strong corporate governance practices. In addition to the below, more details regarding our commitment to ESG principles can be found in our Corporate Citizenship Report, which is published biennially and available on our website at www.criver.com under the “Investor Relations— Corporate Citizenship” caption.
Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S)
Our vision is to embed working safely and sustainably into everything we do and every decision we make. Our approach to EHS&S continuously evolves and expands with our global footprint and is guided by our Global Policy on Safety & Sustainability, which also emphasizes our commitment to compliance with applicable EHS&S regulations globally. In 2019, we developed our EHS&S Path Forward Strategic Plan to provide a roadmap to help us to achieve world-class EHS&S performance. The EHS&S Path Forward Strategic Plan consists of eight strategic priorities, as well as two cornerstones: (1) integrating our EHS&S strategy into our broader business strategy and (2) integrating the vision of working safely and sustainably into our culture. EHS&S programs and initiatives are tied to our EHS&S Path Forward Strategic Plan, with the aim of moving toward world-class EHS&S performance.
Climate. Our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction goals are approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. From a baseline of 2018, we have committed to a 50% reduction in GHG emissions from global Charles River facilities (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) by 2030, as well as a 15% reduction in value chain GHG emissions (Scope 3) by 2030.
Governance. The Global EHS&S Group provides leadership, guidance, technical expertise, and oversight while facilitating the integration of EHS&S into our business processes, by aligning EHS&S initiatives to business goals and continually monitoring and evaluating our EHS&S performance.
Team EHS&S. We utilize a collaborative management approach where the Global EHS&S Group solicits feedback and suggestions from our site-based EHS&S leaders, and have developed forums to share tools, resources, and best practices to advance our EHS&S efforts.
Responsible Supply Chain Management. We are dedicated to sustainable and responsible supply chain management, as well as supplier diversity. We consider our suppliers, contractors, consultants, and agents as a part of the Charles River team, and we rely on them to help us accomplish both our business and EHS&S objectives.
Leverage Technology. We believe that optimizing processes and leveraging technology is a key component to operating more efficiently. We currently use resource tracking software to manage our energy and GHG emissions data and are working to obtain more robust site waste and water data via this tool to help determine our environmental footprint. We are implementing an EHS&S Management Information System software

27


solution that will allow us to more efficiently manage our Incidents, Permits and Licenses, Audits and Inspections, and Occupational Health.
Metrics. We focus on select key performance indicators to track, measure, and manage our progress to achieve world-class EHS&S performance. As part of integrating working safely and sustainably into how we do business, EHS&S performance is included in our quarterly business reviews.
Performance Assurance. We have two focus areas for EHS&S performance assurance: (1) developing a globally consistent operating framework that includes Global EHS&S Business Guidelines and (2) developing an EHS&S assessment program that assesses our facilities’ EHS&S programs against this framework and applicable regulatory standards.
Communications. We inform employees of goals, progress, and achievements via Company newsletters, the Company intranet site, town hall meetings, CEO videos, Earth Day communications, and other messaging throughout the year. More detailed Team EHS&S communications include sharing best practices with EHS&S team members during monthly Global EHS&S Council meetings, monthly EHS&S office hours, and via our EHS&S intranet site.
Sustainable Design. Sustainable Design has become an integral component of our business strategy, and informs the way we design and build both new facilities and those that we are retrofitting or remodeling. Global engineering teams, project managers, and key external architectural and engineering partners are trained in and support the incorporation of our tenets into all Sustainable Design projects, including energy efficiency, fossil fuel reduction, water conservation, waste minimization, and safety. We support efforts with the Charles River $5 million Annual Sustainability Capital Fund, which launched in 2020 to ensure a higher level of sustainability performance in all design projects at Charles River.
Human Capital Management
We bring together world-class scientists and talent from diverse backgrounds across the globe to serve our clients and create healthier lives. Charles River’s efforts to attract talent, develop our people, and foster a sense of belonging remain an integral part of our people strategy.
Our People Strategy is built on Three Pillars that enable our exceptional experience and distinctive culture:

Connecting to our Purpose — Connecting our people to each other, to their roles, and to the organization based on the positive impact we are having on human and animal health, within our communities and with each other.

Energize, Grow and Develop — Ensuring our colleagues are provided with opportunities for continuous learning and development, growing their skills, and reaching their goals.

Making a Difference — Creating an environment where every person has the ability to deliver on business commitments at the highest standards, with a focus on quality, appreciation and recognition.
Our values—Care, Lead, Own, Collaborate—are demonstrated in every aspect of our business, and we strive to deliver our distinctive culture through this foundation. Our CRL DNA are the common behaviors based on these values that all of us use to make decisions, grow our future leaders, and pave the way for the years ahead. In support of each person’s unique value, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where each individual is respected and supported.
As a global organization, our growth and development depend on hiring, engaging, and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce in a highly competitive marketplace. We continue to invest in our total compensation package, engagement and belonging, career development, and employee well-being. Our goal is to be best in class and we do so by maintaining an effective and equitable attraction and engagement strategy, and informing practices through collaboration, data analysis, and regular feedback.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)
At Charles River, we are committed to building a safe, inclusive, and welcoming global workplace for all. We believe that building diverse teams with different backgrounds and perspectives helps strengthen our

28


business, increases our ability to innovate, and deepens our impact on healthcare. Operating in over 150 locations and in 21 countries worldwide, we believe in treating our employees and prospective talent with dignity, decency, and respect as outlined in our Human Rights statement.
Our commitment to DE&I spans across all employment-related decisions, from hiring and promotions, to succession planning, compensation, performance, training, and career development programs. Our goal is to continue to build a talented workforce reflective of the global communities in which we live and work, and for our people to feel a strong sense of belonging.
Our global, CEO-led executive DE&I Council has established a multi-year strategy to provide a consistent global approach which includes and goes beyond our commitment to gender and racial equity. This group meets quarterly to evaluate the work and measure progress, which is shared regularly with our employees and annually with the Board of Directors.
Our diversity strategy is comprised of five focus areas:

Build Understanding and Awareness

Strengthen Belonging and Inclusion

Increase Diverse Representation

Focus on Equity

Partner with our Communities
We believe that we have taken positive steps to promote a sense of belonging for our employees in the workplace by building a DE&I team and council; expanding diverse representation at our Board level; facilitating senior leadership training on inclusive leadership and unconscious bias; launching nine Employee Resource Groups; rolling out a Diverse Interview Panel initiative; launching I Belong at Charles River conversations; and establishing new partnerships focused on underrepresented talent.
As of the end of fiscal 2022, women made up approximately 60% of our global workforce, 59% of our U.S. workforce and 38% of our global leadership positions, defined as positions carrying the title of vice president or higher. From our U.S. workforce, 31% of our workforce self-identified as racial and ethnic minorities.
For 2023, we have set time-bound, aspirational goals to increase our Belonging score, as measured in our employee engagement survey, and improve our overall representation of women at the level of vice president and above and U.S. representation of leaders from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. Also, in addition to foreign legislative required pay equity reviews, we conduct a biennial pay equity audit for both gender (globally) and race/ethnicity (U.S. specific).
Community Involvement
At Charles River, we are proud to be the difference in our local communities across our three priority Community Areas of Focus:

Thriving Communities—Increasing access to basic human services

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education—Inspiring the next generation of scientists and difference-makers

Health Outcomes—Championing disease education and awareness
We believe that a healthier future belongs to us all, and we invest and serve our communities through both our time and philanthropic giving.
Corporate Governance
We are committed to operating our business with integrity and accountability. We aim to meet or exceed all of the corporate governanceindependence standards established by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)NYSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).SEC. Each member of our Board, of Directors (Board), other than Mr. Foster who (who

29


is also our Chief Executive Officer,Officer) and Dr. Mackay, is independent and has no significant financial, business or personal ties to us or management, and all of our required Board committees are composed of independent directors.
Our Board adheres to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and ourthe Code, of Business Conduct and Ethics, which have been communicated to employees and posted on our website. We are diligent in complying with established accounting principles and are committed to providing financial information that is transparent, timely and accurate. We have a Related Person Transactions Policy in order to promote the timely identification of transactions with related persons (as defined by the SEC) and to ensure we give appropriate consideration to any real or perceived conflicts in our commercial arrangements. We have established global processes through which employees, either directly or anonymously, can notify management (and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors)Board) of alleged accounting and auditing concerns or violations, including fraud. Our internal Disclosure Committee meets regularly and operates pursuant to formal disclosure procedures and guidelines to help ensure that oursupport out public disclosures, including our periodic reports filed with the SEC, earnings releases and other written information that we disclose to the investment community, are complete, accurate and timely. We will continue to monitor developments in the law and stock exchange regulations and will adopt new procedures consistent with new legislation or regulations.reporting. Copies of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Related Person Transactions Policy are available on our website atwww.criver.com under the "Investor“Investor Relations—Corporate Governance"Governance” caption.

Reports and documents on our corporate website are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. Some of these reports contain cautionary statements regarding forward-looking information that should be carefully considered. Our statements and reports about our objectives may include statistics or metrics that are estimates, make assumptions based on developing standards that may change and provide aspirational goals that are not intended to be promises or guarantees. The statements and reports may also change at any time, and we undertake no obligation to update them, except as required by law.

30


Corporate Governance Snapshot
Below is a summary of some of the key elements of our strong governance policies and practices:

Majority voting standard
in uncontested director elections with a mandatory resignation policy that requires incumbent director nominees to submit a resignation that becomes effective upon the failure to receive a majority vote and the Board’s acceptance of the resignation

Expectation of director attendance
with all directors attending over 75% of Board and respective Committee meetings in 2022

Mandatory director retirement age
of 75 with grandfather provision permitting any director who was a member of the Board as of December 17, 2019, such as Mr. Reese, to retire at age 78

Proxy Access
provision in our by-laws by which eligible stockholders may nominate director candidates for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy card

Annual director and committee assessments
to ensure that the Board and its Committees are performing effectively and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders

Commitment to ESG principles
through which we strive to promote and support business practices that are environmentally sustainable, socially conscious and aligned with strong corporate governance practices, including Board oversight of ESG risk

Lead Independent Director
to provide independent oversight and is responsible for ensuring that the Board is acting in conformity with good corporate governance practices and in our long-term best interests

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
that outlines the key laws and policies that apply to our business, as well as an individual’s responsibilities for maintaining a positive and ethical work environment and our resources for issues involving legal compliance or ethical business conduct

Independent Board Committee Chairs
to provide independent oversight of each Committee

Information security risk oversight
by Board (Audit Committee)

Corporate strategy and risk oversight
by Board, which oversees the process and performs this oversight role using several different levels of review

Political Contribution Policy
that, among other things, prohibits the use of Company resources: to fund or support political parties, officials or candidates without prior approval from CEO, CFO and General Counsel; and for employees’ personal political activities

Stock Ownership Requirements
require our officers and directors to hold shares as follows:
PositionStock Ownership Requirement
Director5x cash retainer
CEO6x base salary
Direct Reports to CEO3x base salary
Senior Vice President
(not reporting to CEO)
2x base salary
Vice President1x base salary

31


Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

All of our employees and officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and members of our Board, are required to abide by our global Code. Our Code of Business Conductoutlines the key laws and Ethics (Code)policies that apply to ensure that our business, is conducted inas well as an individual’s responsibilities for maintaining a consistently legalpositive and ethical manner. Thiswork environment, and our resources for issues involving legal compliance or ethical business conduct. The Code formsis the foundation of our comprehensive Legal Compliance program, a comprehensive processglobal function that includeshelps promote compliance with all corporate policies and procedures, an open relationship among colleagues that contributes to good business conduct and an abiding belief in the importance of the integrity of our employees. Our Code, together with related policies and procedures, covercovers areas of legal and professional conduct, including employment policies, conflicts of interest, intellectual property, data privacy and the protection of confidential information, as well as strict adherence to all laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of our business.

Employees are required to report any conduct that they believe to be an actual or apparent violation of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.Code. Consistent with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we maintain procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and to allow for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

The full text of our Code is available on our website atwww.criver.com, under the "Investor Relations—“Investors—Corporate Governance"Governance” caption. We will disclose any future material amendments to the Code and any waivers granted to any director or officer within the period required following the date of such amendment or waiver on our website.

    Contacting the Board of Directors

        In order to provide shareholders and other interested parties with a direct and open line of communication to the Board, we adopted the following procedures for communications to directors. Shareholders and other interested parties may contact the lead director, any other directors, or the independent members of the Board as a group through our Lead Director, Dr. Milne, by writing to the


Lead Director, c/o Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887, or by email atCRLLeadDirector@crl.com. All communications received in this manner will be kept confidential and relevant information will be forwarded by the Corporate Secretary to the Lead Director or to other directors if the communication is so directed. Items that are unrelated to a director's duties and responsibilities as a board member may be excluded by the Corporate Secretary, including, without limitation, solicitations and advertisements, junk mail, product-related communications, job referral materials such as resumes, surveys, and material that is determined to be illegal or otherwise inappropriate. Any communication so excluded will be made available to any independent director upon request.

    Director Qualification Standards; Director Independence

Our Board has adopted a formal set of Director Qualification Standards (Standards) with respect to the determination of director independence. The Standards specify the criteria by which the independence of our directors will be determined, including strict guidelines for directors and their immediate families with respect to past employment or affiliation with us or our independent registered public accounting firm. In accordance with these Standards, we must determine that the director has no material relationship with us other than as a director. The Standards also prohibit Audit Committee members from any direct or indirect financial relationship with us, and restrictlimit the scope of commercial relationships of all directors with us. Directors may not be given personal loans or extensions of credit by us, and all directors are required to deal at arm'sarm’s length with us and our subsidiaries and to disclose any circumstance that might be perceived as a conflict of interest. The full text of our Standards is available on our website atwww.criver.com under the "Investor“Investor Relations—Corporate Governance"Governance” caption, within our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

The Board has determined that tennine of the eleven directors standing for reelection or election to the Board are independent under these Standards. The Board has determined that Mr. Foster does not qualify as an independent director due to his employment as our Chief Executive Officer. AsThe Board has also determined that Dr. Mackay does not qualify as an independent director as a result with the exception of the Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee and the Executive Committee, Mr. Foster does not servehis serving as an executive officer of a member of any committee of the Board.

Company client.

In the course of the Board's determiningBoard’s determination of the independence of each director other than Mr. Foster and Dr. Mackay, it considered any transactions, relationships and arrangements as required by the Standards. In particular, with respect to each of the most recent three completed fiscal years, the Board evaluated:


for each of our non-employee directors, the annual amount of sales to and/or purchases from any organization whereof which he or she serves as an executive officer; and


for Dr. Kochevar, the annual amount of sales (net of any charitable contributions made by us) to and/or purchases from the academic institution whereof which she serves as Dean ofEmerita and Senior Fellow. In 2022, this included approximately $38,000 in payments the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Company made to Tufts University pursuant to a longstanding royalty arrangement established in 1996 that predates Dr. Kochevar’s relationship with either Tufts or the Company, and approximately $833,000 in arms-length sales from the Company to Tufts University in the following general categories: Research Models


32


and Services (approximately $828,000), Discovery and Safety Assessment (approximately $1,100), and Manufacturing Solutions (approximately $3,600).
In all such evaluations as to independent directors, we determined that the applicable amounts were below the greater of (1) $1 million or (2) two percent (2%) of the consolidated gross annual revenue of each of those organizations.

In addition, with respect to all of our non-employee directors, the Board considered the amount of our discretionary charitable contributions to organizations whereof which he or she serves as an officer, director or trustee, and determined that our contributions constituted less than the greater of (1) $1 million or (2) two percent (2%) of such organization'sorganization’s total annual gross revenue in each of the organization'sorganization’s last three completed fiscal years.

In conducting this analysis, the Board considered all relevant facts and circumstances, utilizing information derived from our records and responses to questionnaires completed by the directors in connection with the preparation of this Proxy Statement. For information about the entities our


non-employee directors serve or have served as either (1) an executive officer or (2) an officer, director or trustee of a charitable institution (other than any such charitable institution with which the Company has no transactions, relationships, or arrangements), you are directed to their biographies adjacent to their pictures above in this Proxy Statement.

The independent members of the Board typically meet in executive session following each regularly scheduled meeting of the full Board.Board and, as they determine necessary, following meetings of our Board committees. Our Lead Director, Dr. Milne,Mr. Massaro, leads these sessions.

The Board of Directors and Its Committees

    Board Leadership Structure and the Role of the Board of Directors in Risk Oversight

        We are led by Mr. James C. Foster, who has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 1992 and Chairman of the Board since 2000. Our Board of Directors is currently composed of Mr. Foster and ten independent directors. One of these directors, currently Dr. George M. Milne, serves as our Lead Director. It is our current practice that the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO be held by the same person. We believe that this leadership structure has been effective for us because it promotes clear accountability, effective decision-making and alignment on corporate strategy. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the election, by the independent directors, of a Lead Director. The Lead Director helps to provide independent oversight and is responsible for ensuring that the Board is acting in conformity with good corporate governance practices and in our long-term best interests. Our Lead Director has broad responsibility and authority, including to:

    establish, with the Chairman of the Board, logistics of scheduling and setting agendas for Board and committee meetings, including approving meeting agendas and assuring there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

    develop agendas for, and preside over, executive sessions of the Board's independent directors;

    assist the Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee in monitoring and implementing our Corporate Governance Guidelines;

    serve as the principal liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors;

    interview all director candidates and make recommendations to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;

    be available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication with shareholders;

    retain outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board of Directors on Board-level issues; and

    on an annual basis, in consultation with the independent directors, review his responsibility and authority and recommend for approval any modifications or changes to the Board.

        We believe that having a combined Chairman/CEO, independent chairs for each of our Board committees and an independent Lead Director provides the right form of leadership for us. The benefit of a combined Chairman/CEO role is complemented by the benefit of oversight of our operations by experienced independent directors who have appointed a Lead Director and independent committee chairs. This combination has served us well for many years and we have found it to be an efficient and effective leadership model for us. The Board selects our CEO and Chairman in the manner that it determines to be in the best interests of our shareholders. From time to time, and at least annually, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee conducts an assessment of this leadership structure.

        The Board oversees our risk oversight process and performs this oversight role using several different levels of review. In connection with its reviews of the operations of our business units and corporate functions, particularly during the annual strategic planning sessions, the Board is informed of



the primary risks associated with those units and functions. Principally, the Board satisfies its responsibility through receiving regular reports from each committee chair regarding such committee's consideration and actions, as well as through receiving regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of our particular risks, including operational, financial, legal, regulatory, strategic, and reputational risks. Such reporting enables the Board to understand our risk identification, management, and mitigation strategies. The Company reviewed and evaluated its enterprise risk management (ERM) program in 2017, taking subsequent steps to further formalize and enhance the ERM program, the effect of which is anticipated to enhance the Board's ability to oversee their risk oversight responsibilities.

        Areas of risk oversight which generally remain at the Board level and are not delegated to any Committee include risks related to our operational regulatory matters (such as quality control and humane care), cybersecurity, data privacy, and significant business decisions. The Board satisfies this oversight responsibility through regular reports from our officers responsible for each of these risk areas, reports from Board committees and related discussions, as well as through periodic progress reports from officers on our critical on-going initiatives. The Board also consults periodically with outside financial and other advisors it determines necessary.

        Each of the Board's committees oversees the management of our risks that fall within the committee's areas of responsibility. A description of each committee's risk oversight focus is below. In performing this function, each committee has full access to management, as well as the ability to engage advisors. When a committee receives a report or update regarding an area of potential risk to us, the chairman of the relevant committee determines whether it is materially significant enough to report on the discussion to the full Board at the next Board meeting. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships.

    Audit Committee and Financial Experts

        The Audit Committee met seven times in 2017. During 2017, the members of the Audit Committee included Messrs. Bertolini, Chubb and Massaro (Chair). Mr. Mangeolle joined the Audit Committee when he joined the Board of Directors in January 2018. The Board of Directors has unanimously determined that Messrs. Bertolini, Chubb and Massaro qualify as "audit committee financial experts" under Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the NYSE regulations. In addition, the Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is "independent" under the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. The Audit Committee is responsible for the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm; selecting the lead engagement partner at our independent registered public accounting firm; reviewing the plans and results of the audit engagement with our independent registered public accounting firm; approving services performed by, and the independence of, our independent registered public accounting firm; considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting; and reviewing annual and quarterly financial statements and earnings releases. The Audit Committee is also responsible for administering our Related Persons Transaction Policy. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website atwww.criver.com under the "Investor Relations—Corporate Governance" caption.

        As part of its charter and as required by the NYSE, the Audit Committee discusses our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including our major financial risk exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control these exposures. The Audit Committee assumes primary oversight responsibility for our risk management framework as it applies to our financial reporting and disclosures, system of internal controls, and operations, including the identification of the primary risks to our business and interim updates of those risks, and periodically monitors and evaluates the primary risks associated with particular business units and functions through participation


33

and monitoring of the development of the annual external and internal audit plans. The Audit Committee is primarily responsible for oversight of our risks relating to accounting matters, financial reporting (including tax, legal, and related regulatory compliance), financial policies, and cash management. The head of our Internal Audit department, who functionally reports to the Audit Committee, assists us in identifying and evaluating risk management controls and methodologies to address identified risks. At each of its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee meets in executive session with representatives from our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also has direct interaction with our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, our General Counsel, and other members of management. In addition to the items mentioned above, the Audit Committee also receives regular reports, including quarterly reports from the Company's management Disclosure Committee, regarding issues such as the status of material litigation, allegations of accounting and auditing concerns or fraud, and related party transactions.

    Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee met five times during 2017 and was composed of the following members: Dr. Kochevar and Messrs. Reese (Chair) and Wallman. Mr. Mangeolle joined the Compensation Committee when he joined the Board of Directors in January 2018. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee is "independent" under the rules of the NYSE and the SEC. The primary objective of the Compensation Committee is to develop and implement compensation policies and plans that are appropriate for us in light of all relevant circumstances and which provide incentives that further our long-term strategic plan and are consistent with our culture and the overall goal of enhancing shareholder value. The Compensation Committee reviews compensation structure, policies, and programs to ensure (1) that legal and fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are carried out, and (2) that such structure, policies, and programs contribute to our success. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews, approves, and makes recommendations on our compensation and benefit plans to ensure that they meet corporate objectives. The Compensation Committee determines and approves the compensation of the CEO, reviews the CEO's recommendations on compensation for all of our executive officers, and approves such compensation when determined. As discussed below under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements—Compensation Setting Process," other than Mr. Foster and Mr. David P. Johst, our Corporate Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, none of our executive officers plays a significant, ongoing role in assisting the Compensation Committee in setting executive compensation. The Compensation Committee also administers our equity incentive plans other than with respect to grants to our non-employee directors. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website atwww.criver.com under the "Investor Relations—Corporate Governance" caption.

        The Compensation Committee is responsible for oversight of risks relating to employment compensation policies and our general compensation and benefits programs. The Compensation Committee considers the impact of our executive compensation program, and the incentives created by the compensation awards that it administers, on our risk profile. To assist it in satisfying these oversight responsibilities, from time to time the Compensation Committee has retained its own outside compensation consultant, and meets both regularly and periodically as needed with management to understand the financial, human resources, and shareholder implications of compensation decisions being made. Between formal Compensation Committee meetings, the Compensation Committee Chairman also interacts regularly with management and the Committee's outside consultants. In addition, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, Mr. Johst and his staff annually conduct a review of our overall compensation programs.

        The Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance LLC (Pay Governance) as the sole independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee on matters related to



2017 executive compensation. Pay Governance is engaged by, and reports directly to, the Compensation Committee, which has the sole authority to hire or dismiss Pay Governance and to approve fee arrangements for work performed. Pay Governance generally assists the Compensation Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities under its charter, including advising on proposed compensation packages for our top executives, compensation program design, and market practices generally. With respect to 2017 compensation matters, the Compensation Committee authorized Pay Governance (1) to interact with management on behalf of the Compensation Committee, as needed, in connection with advising the Compensation Committee; (2) to assist with the calculations of compensation information to be included in our proxy statements, including the calculations and analysis related to the valuation of our PSUs; (3) to provide advice with respect to our Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. Incentive Plan that was approved by our shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting; and (4) to provide advice with respect to the Committee's analysis of director compensation, including competitive market data. For more information on the input Pay Governance provided to our fiscal year 2017 compensation determinations, please see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements—Compensation Setting Process" on pages 51-52 of this Proxy Statement.

        Except as described above, in 2017 we did not receive any other services from Pay Governance, nor have we utilized the services of any other compensation consultant in matters affecting senior executive or director compensation. Any significant Pay Governance fees outside of the normal scope of work are approved for payment by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, with authority delegated to Mr. Johst to approve the processing of payment of routine invoices.

        Pay Governance provided the Compensation Committee with a letter addressing the independence factors under NYSE listing rules, and in compliance with SEC and the NYSE disclosure requirements regarding the independence of compensation consultants, the Committee took that information into account in concluding that there was no conflict of interest within the meaning of Section 10C-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon this and other relevant factors, the Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Pay Governance and concluded that Pay Governance's work for the Compensation Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met two times during 2017. The members of the committee included Drs. Kochevar, Mackay, and Milne (Chair), and Thompson. Dr. Mackay joined the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee when he joined the Board of Directors in July 2017. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is "independent" under the rules of the NYSE. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board on all matters relating to the Board, including development and implementation of policies on composition, committee participation and size of the Board, changes in the organization and procedures of the Board, the processes used by the Board in its self-assessment, and compensation (including equity compensation) of non-employee directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee oversees matters of corporate governance, including Board performance and director education, and considers and selects director nominees, including those submitted by shareholders in accordance with the Bylaws. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also recommends directors for appointment to committees of the Board. Typically, committee rotations are determined in February, made effective immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders, and are reevaluated on a yearly basis. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee oversees our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code. A copy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter is available on our website atwww.criver.com under the "Investor Relations—Corporate Governance" caption.


        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for conducting an annual evaluation of the performance of the full Board and its committees to determine whether it and the committees are functioning effectively. This process includes annual self-assessments by each Board committee with performance criteria for each committee established on the basis of its charter, as well as interviews conducted by the chair of the committee. As part of this process, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also assesses the performance of each individual director and the Chair of the committee/Lead Director conducts a personal discussion with each individual member of the Board. This performance assessment addresses factors such as each director's meeting attendance, core competencies, independence, and level of commitment. Upon completion of the individual director evaluation process, the Committee reports its conclusions to the full Board.

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for oversight of risks relating to Board succession planning, ethics practices, matters addressed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and other corporate governance issues, particularly to the extent that any of these could affect our operations and strategic decisions. To satisfy these oversight responsibilities, the Committee receives assistance and reports from our senior management from time to time.

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses a variety of methods to identify and evaluate nominees for directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected. For the purposes of succession planning, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee through current Board members, executive officers, professional search firms, shareholders, or other persons. All candidates complete a nominee questionnaire that solicits information regarding the nominee's background, board experience, industry experience, independence, financial expertise, and other relevant information, and are interviewed by at least one member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. These candidates are discussed at regular or special meetings of the Committee and may be considered at any point during the year. As described below, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers any director candidates recommended by shareholders as well as properly submitted shareholder nominations for candidates for the Board. If any materials are provided by a shareholder in connection with the nomination of a director candidate, such materials are forwarded to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Such nominations must be in accordance with our Bylaws. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also reviews materials provided by professional search firms or other parties. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates all candidates based on the minimum qualifications described below as well as the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. In evaluating nominations, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee seeks to recommend to shareholders a group that can best oversee our success and represent shareholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in various areas. Whether the nominee is recommended by a shareholder or the Board, there is no difference in the manner in which the Committee evaluates nominees.

    Science and Technology Committee

        The Science and Technology Committee met three times during 2017 and was composed of the following members: Drs. Kochevar, Milne, and Thompson (Chair), and Mr. Chubb. Dr. Mackay joined the Science and Technology Committee when he joined the Board of Directors in July 2017. The Science and Technology Committee is responsible for identifying and discussing significant emerging trends and issues in science and technology. The Science and Technology Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing and advising the Board on our strategic direction, and on investment in research and development and in technology. To satisfy these oversight responsibilities, the Committee may obtain advice and assistance from consultants and has access to members of management.



    Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee

        The Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee met five times during 2017 and was composed of the following members: Messrs. Bertolini (Chair), Foster, Reese, and Wallman. The Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee is responsible for reviewing our capital structure, financial strategies, major acquisitions and investment policies to support prudent and effective capital allocation. The Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee is responsible for oversight of risks relating to material financial decisions, credit policies and ratings, investment strategies, and our debt and equity structure. To satisfy these oversight responsibilities, the Committee may obtain advice and assistance from outside consultants and advisors, and receives assistance and reports from our senior management from time to time.

    Finance Committee

        The Finance Committee met once during 2017. It is comprised of the following members: Dr. Milne, and Mr. Wallman (Chair). The Finance Committee is responsible for providing ongoing, broad-based guidance and input to management regarding opportunities to enhance finance systems and practices and to promote heightened levels of financial performance and efficiency. To satisfy these oversight responsibilities, the Committee may obtain advice and assistance from consultants and has access to members of management.

    Executive Committee

        While it is our general policy that all major decisions be considered by the Board as a whole, the Board has delegated authority to an Executive Committee to act on its behalf only in circumstances in which it is not feasible to convene the full Board or when authority has been specifically delegated to the Executive Committee by the full Board. In 2017, the Executive Committee consisting of Messrs. Bertolini, Foster (Chair), Massaro, and Reese, and Dr. Milne, was not required to meet.

    Board Nomination Process

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee adopted criteria regarding the qualifications required for Board nominees, which can be found in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. These criteria are designed to assure that the Board of Directors is composed of successful individuals who demonstrate integrity, reliability, knowledge of corporate affairs, and an ability to work well together. The primary consideration in the selection and retention of directors is their respective ability to fairly represent the interests of our stakeholders. Diversity in business background, area of expertise, skills, educational background, gender, nationality, industry, geography, age, and ethnicity are also considered, as well as other factors that can provide the Board with a range of informative viewpoints and perspectives. The criteria for director nominees include: the candidate's professional experience and personal accomplishments; the candidate's independence from us and management; the ability of the candidate to attend Board and committee meetings regularly and devote an appropriate amount of effort in preparation for those meetings; the candidate's ability to function as a member of a collaborative group; and the candidate's understanding of the Board's governance role. In addition, the Board evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending to shareholders a group that can best oversee the success of the business and represent shareholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of backgrounds and experiences in various areas. In determining whether to recommend a director for reelection, the director's past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board is also taken into consideration. Since the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, two new directors (Dr. Mackay and Mr. Mangeolle) have been added to our Board, who together have added valuable industry expertise not previously represented and international backgrounds, and have contributed to our intergenerational balance.


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders. Shareholders may submit director recommendations to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. Pursuant to our Bylaws, nominations for directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year's meeting. For information about submitting shareholder proposals, including director nomination proposals, please see the section of this Proxy Statement entitled "Shareholder Proposals for 2019 Annual Meeting."

    Meeting Attendance

        All Board members are expected to attend our Annual Meetings of Shareholders, unless an emergency prevents them from doing so. All members of the Board serving at that time attended the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. During 2017 there were five meetings of the Board of Directors. Each director attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of Board meetings and the committee meetings of the Board on which he or she served during 2017.

    Other Board Service

        Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors generally may not serve on more than five boards of directors of other publicly traded companies (in addition to our Board or the board of directors of a director's employer). Members of the Audit Committee generally may not serve on more than three publicly traded company audit committees simultaneously (including that of our company). In addition, service on boards and/or committees of other organizations must be consistent with our conflict of interest policies.


2017 Director Compensation

        We use a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. Linking a portion of their compensation to stock aligns the interests of directors with the interests of shareholders. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to us as well as the skill levels required by us of members of the Board.

The following table sets forth allthe number of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned and the percentage of total shares outstanding as of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our directors for the year ended December 30, 2017. Please note that Mr. Foster receives no compensation


for his role as director, and the entirety of his compensation is reported in the Summary Compensation Table located on pages 64-65 of this Proxy Statement.

Name
 Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
 Stock Awards
($)(2)(3)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
 Total
($)
 

George M. Milne, Jr

  90,000  215,050    305,050 

George E. Massaro

  85,000  215,050    300,050 

Robert Bertolini

  80,000  215,050    295,050 

C. Richard Reese

  75,000  215,050    290,050 

Craig B. Thompson

  70,000  215,050    285,050 

Richard F. Wallman

  70,000  215,050    285,050 

Stephen D. Chubb

  65,000  215,050    280,050 

Deborah T. Kochevar

  60,000  215,050    275,050 

Martin Mackay

  30,000  215,042    245,042 

(1)
Reflects the aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned for services as a director, including annual retainer fees, committee, and/or committee chair fees. A description of the applicable fees can be found below. For the following directors, totals include the following amounts in 2017 that the director elected to receive in the form of an equivalent value of restricted stock units (RSUs) instead of cash: Dr. Milne—$90,000, Dr. Mackay—$30,000, Mr. Reese—$75,000, Dr. Thompson—$70,000, and Mr. Wallman—$70,000.

(2)
Amounts reflect the full grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to directors in fiscal year 2017 as part of their annual equity grant in May 2017, with the exception of Dr. Mackay, (who joined the Board in July 2017 and received his equity grant in August 2017), computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC) Topic 718. See Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements" and Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Stock-Based Compensation," included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 for a discussion of the assumptions used by us in the Black-Scholes valuation model. As of December 30, 2017, each then-current director held the aggregate number of unvested RSUs as follows: Mr. Bertolini—2,436, Mr. Chubb—2,436, Dr. Kochevar—2,436, Dr. Mackay—2,782, Mr. Massaro—2,436, Dr. Milne—3,470, Mr. Reese—3,300, Dr. Thompson—3,229, and Mr. Wallman—3,258.

(3)
None of our directors received a stock option award in fiscal year 2017. As of December 30, 2017, each then-current director held the aggregate number of option awards as follows: Mr. Bertolini—22,980, Mr. Chubb—22,980, Dr. Kochevar—0, Dr. Mackay—0, Mr. Massaro—6,670, Dr. Milne—22,980, Mr. Reese—0, Dr. Thompson—11,790, and Mr. Wallman—10,700.

(4)
None of our directors received perquisites or other personal benefits equal to or exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate.

        During 2017, we paid each non-employee director an annual fee of $60,000 for service as our director, except for members of the Audit Committee, who are paid an annual fee of $65,000. Additional fees are paid to the Lead Independent Director ($20,000), Chair of the Audit Committee ($20,000), Chair of the Compensation Committee ($15,000), Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee ($10,000), Chair of the Science and Technology Committee ($10,000), Chair of the Strategic Planning and Capital Allocation Committee ($15,000), Chair of the Finance Committee ($10,000) and Chair of the Science and Technology Committee ($10,000) for their added responsibilities. No additional fees are paid for attending meetings of the Board or any Committee of


the Board. We reimburse expenses incurred by directors in attending Board of Directors meetings and committee meetings.

        In 2016, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, determined there would be a greater opportunity for alignment of the Board's compensation structure with the interests of the Company's shareholders in creating sustained, long-term value by affording the Company's independent directors the opportunity to receive all or a significant percentage of their compensation in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs), with the ability to defer receipt of those RSUs for an extended period of time. Accordingly, the Board (1) determined that all equity awards granted to non-employee directors would be in the form of RSUs, (2) established a process pursuant to which directors could elect in advance to receive their annual cash fees in the form of equivalent value RSUs, and (3) adopted the Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan (Board DC Plan) which allows directors, if they so choose, to defer receipt of all or a portion of their RSUs for up to a period of five years.

        In October 2016, following a detailed review and analysis of market data prepared by Pay Governance regarding the board compensation practices of comparable companies, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee established the current non-employee director compensation policy of awarding each unaffiliated non-employee director (1) restricted stock or RSUs having an intended value of approximately $215,000 (utilizing Black-Scholes pricing models) on the first day of the month following his or her initial election or appointment to the Board; provided, however, that such award will only be granted if a director is initially appointed to the Board of Directors after therecord date of the annual meeting of shareholders and prior to or on September 30th of the same calendar year, and (2) restricted stock or RSUs having an intended value of approximately $215,000 on an annual basis following our annual meeting of shareholders.

    Director Stock Ownership Requirement

        In order to further align the interests of directors and shareholders, the Board of Directors has mandated that, to the extent permissible, directors have a significant financial stake in the Company. Accordingly, as set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines: each director who has served on the Board for at least three years is required to own a minimum number of shares of Company stock (excluding stock options, stock subject to future vesting requirement, or other similar unvested and inchoate equity holdings) equivalent to four times the amount of the base cash annual fee that directors are eligible to receive for such services. Board members who are subject to third-party restrictions on their stock holdings (e.g., certain academic institutions) shall be permitted to own stock in an amount that is appropriate for them in light of such other restrictions. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, all of our directors who have served at least three years are in compliance with this holding requirement.



BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

        The following table sets forth certain information as of March 12, 2018, with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by (1) 16, 2023 by:


each person known to us to own beneficiallybe the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding sharesthen-outstanding common stock;

each director and named executive; and

all of common stock, (2) each of our current directors and nominees for director, (3) each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table set forth below under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers" (the named executives), and (4) our current directors and executive officers as a group. As
The numbers of March 12, 2018, there were 47,949,225 shares of common stock outstanding.

beneficially owned by each person is determined under the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the individual has the right to acquire by May 15, 2023 (60 days after March 16, 2023) through the exercise or conversion of a security or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power, or shares such power with a family member, with respect to the shares set forth in the following table. The inclusion in this table of any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares for any other purpose.
Name of Beneficial Owner
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned

as of March 16, 2023
Percentage
of Shares

Outstanding
5% Shareholders
The Vanguard Group, Inc.5,956,960(1)11.6%
BlackRock, Inc.4,981,145(2)9.7%
Named Executives
James C. Foster283,077(3)*
Flavia H. Pease0(4)*
William D. Barbo32,157(5)
Birgit Girshick46,018(6)*
Joseph W. LaPlume28,396(7)*
David R. Smith31,485(8)
Non-Employee Directors
Nancy C. Andrews7,640(9)
Robert Bertolini35,989(10)*
Deborah T. Kochevar9,404(11)*
George Llado, Sr.5,544(12)
Martin W. Mackay15,705(13)*
George E. Massaro7,985(14)*
C. Richard Reese69,707(15)*
Craig B. Thompson0(16)
Richard F. Wallman27,136(17)*
Virginia M. Wilson8,014(18)*
All current executive officers and directors as a group (18 persons)668,885(19)1.3%
Name of Beneficial Owner
 Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
as of March 12, 2018
 Percentage
of Shares
Outstanding
 

5% Shareholders

       

The Vanguard Group, Inc. 

  5,055,870(1) 10.5%

BlackRock, Inc. 

  4,034,318(2) 8.4%

FMR LLC

  3,000,499(3) 6.3%

Named Executive Officers

  
 
  
 
 

James C. Foster

  329,245(4) *%

David R. Smith

  4,213(5) * 

William D. Barbo

  24,737(6) * 

David P. Johst

  245,240(7) * 

Davide A. Molho

  90,977(8) * 

Outside Directors

  
 
  
 
 

Robert Bertolini

  37,826(9) * 

Stephen D. Chubb

  48,829(10) * 

Deborah T. Kochevar

  8,486(11) * 

Martin W. Mackay

  2,782(12) * 

Jean-Paul Mangeolle

  0(13) * 

George E. Massaro

  19,721(14) * 

George M. Milne, Jr. 

  45,260(15) * 

C. Richard Reese

  56,457(16) * 

Craig B. Thompson

  26,719(17) * 

Richard F. Wallman

  34,948(18) * 

All executive officers and directors as a group (16 persons)

  992,438(19) 2.1%

*
*
Less than 1%.

(1)

The information reported is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 20182023 by The Vanguard Group, Inc. Vanguard has sole voting power with respect to 26,2320 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 5,027,304 of the5,746,189 shares, shared voting power with respect to 5,95075,078 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 28,566210,771 of the shares reported in the table. The address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.


34


(2)
The information reported is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018 by BlackRock, Inc. BlackRock has sole voting power with respect to 3,862,621 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 4,034,318 shares reported in the table. The address of BlackRock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022.

(3)

The information reported is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 29, 201824, 2023 by FMR LLC. FMRBlackRock, Inc. BlackRock has sole voting power with respect to 1,948,7924,671,067 shares and sole dispositive

    power with respect to 3,000,4994,981,145 shares reported in the table. The address of FMRBlackRock is 245 Summer55 East 52nd Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

(4)
New York, New York 10055.
(3)
Includes 25,12331,731 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Foster that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(5)
16, 2023.
(4)
Includes 9450 shares of common stock subject to options held by Ms. Pease that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(5)
Includes 7,802 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Barbo that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2023 and
(6)
Includes 10,080 shares of common stock subject to options held by Ms. Girshick that are exercisable within 60 days March 16, 2023.
(7)
Includes 13,339 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. LaPlume that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(8)
Includes 6,134 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Smith that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(6)
16, 2023.
(9)
Includes 10,490 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Barbo that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(7)
Includes 65,641 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Johst that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(8)
Includes 28,7445,845 shares of common stock subject to options held by Dr. MolhoAndrews that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(9)
16, 2023 and 575 RSUs held by Dr. Andrews that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(10)
Includes 15,2405,272 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Bertolini that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(10)
Includes 15,240 shares of common stock subject to options16, 2023 and 1,583 RSUs held by Mr. ChubbBertolini that are exercisablevest within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

16, 2023.
(11)

Includes 02,733 shares of common stock subject to options held by Dr. Kochevar that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

16, 2023 and 575 RSUs held by Dr. Kochevar that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(12)

Includes 03,724 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Llado that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2023 and 1,397 RSUs held by Mr. Llado that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(13)
Includes 5,202 shares of common stock subject to options held by Dr. Mackay that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(13)
Includes 0 shares of common stock subject to options16, 2023 and 1,478 RSUs held by Mr. MangeolleDr. Mackay that are exercisablevest within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

16, 2023.
(14)

Includes 6,6702,733 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Massaro that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(15)
Includes 15,240 shares of common stock subject to options16, 2023 and 575 RSUs held by Dr. MilneMr. Massaro that are exercisablevest within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(16)
16, 2023.
(15)
Includes 05,272 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Reese that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(17)
16, 2023 and 1,546 RSUs held by Mr. Reese that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(16)
Includes 11,7900 shares of common stock subject to options held by Dr. Thompson that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

(18)
16, 2023 and 0 RSUs held by Dr. Thompson that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(17)
Includes 10,7005,272 shares of common stock subject to options held by Mr. Wallman that are exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.

16, 2023 and 935 RSUs held by Mr. Wallman that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(18)
Includes 5,272 shares of common stock subject to options held by Ms. Wilson that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2023 and 575 RSUs held by Ms. Wilson that vest within 60 days of March 16, 2023.
(19)
Include 205,823
Includes 126,394 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2018.16, 2023. None of the 992,438668,885 shares reflected have been pledged as security.



35


Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan CategoryNumber of
securities to
be issued
upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
Weighted
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
(a)(b)(c)
Equity compensation plan approved by security holders:
2016 Incentive Plan88,989$109.340
2018 Incentive Plan793,241$215.065,118,803
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total882,230(1)5,118,803(2)
(1)
None of the options outstanding under any of our equity compensation plans include rights to any dividend equivalents (i.e., a right to receive from us a payment equal to dividend payments received by holders of our common stock or our other equity instruments).
(2)
On March 20, 2018, the Board of Directors determined that, upon approval of the 2018 Incentive Plan, no future awards would be granted under the preexisting equity compensation plans, including the 2016 Incentive Plan. Shareholder approval was obtained on May 8, 2018. The 2016 Incentive Plan and the 2018 Incentive Plan each utilize a fungible pool concept where each share issued in connection with awards that do not have option-like features (full-value awards) is counted as 2.3 units and each share issued that is subject to options, stock appreciation rights, and other awards that expire no more than seven years from the date of grant is counted as 1.0 unit against the overall reserved and available shares.
The following table provides additional information regarding the aggregate issuances under our existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2022:
CategoryNumber of
securities
outstanding
Weighted
average
exercise
price
Weighted
average
term
(a)(b)(c)
Total number of restricted stock/units outstanding(1)639,951$
Total number of options outstanding(2)882,230$204.415.7
Total number of performance share units outstanding(3)222,285$
(1)
For purposes of this table, only unvested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2022 are included. This number does not incorporate the 2.3 fungible ratio.
(2)
For purposes of this table, only options outstanding as of December 31, 2022 are included.
(3)
For purposes of this table, reflects currently projected potential maximum payouts of outstanding 2021 PSUs and target payouts of outstanding 2022 PSUs, taking into account the impact of non-GAAP EPS performance on both grants. This number does not incorporate the 2.3 fungible ratio.

36


NO DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Officers, directors, and such beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, our officers, directors, and such beneficial owners complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.



PROPOSAL TWO—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In 2017, our shareholders approved the Board of Directors'Directors’ recommendation that we conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis. Accordingly, Proposal Two requests shareholder approval of the 20172022 compensation of our named executives as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

Following the vote on this proposal, and subject to the outcome of Proposal Three, the next say-on-pay vote will occur in connection with the Company’s 2024 annual meeting.

For the past decade, demand from our large pharmaceutical and biotechnical clients for our outsourced services has steadily improved. We hadhave continued to take many important steps in recent years to position the Company to meet this increased demand and to maintain responsiveness to clients’ needs:

In our Discovery and Safety Assessment segment, we reinforced our scientific leadership through the acquisitions of several Discovery Services businesses (Distributed Bio, Retrogenix, and SAMDI Tech) and entered into several scientific partnerships (e.g., Bit Bio, Fios Genomics, Deciphex, Cypre, Kibur Medical, Valo Health, and PathoQuest) to enhance our non-clinical drug research capabilities and enable us to work with clients at the earliest stages of the discovery process;

In our Manufacturing Solutions segment, we expanded our Biologics Solutions business into the advanced therapy CDMO market through our acquisitions of Cognate BioServices and Vigene Biosciences in 2021; and

In our Research Models and Services segment, in 2020 we acquired HemaCare and Cellero to establish our Cell Solutions business, and in 2022 we acquired Explora BioLabs to complement our Insourcing Solutions business, specifically our CRADL® (Charles River Accelerator and Development Lab) operations.
During the past decade, we also implemented a variety of initiatives targeted at strengthening the business, enhancing client service, and continuing to return value to shareholders. Our continued actions toward the achievement of these initiatives in 2022 included the following:

We continued our focus on operating efficiencies through further optimizing our infrastructure, utilizing automation to reduce manual processes; investing in our digital enterprise to enhance our real-time access to data and connectivity with clients, and generating greater savings from our procurement activities.

We continued to invest in our people, capacity, and systems to accommodate robust client demand in 2022. From strategic hiring and employee engagement initiatives, to the expansion of our capacity and scientific capabilities, we have made essential investments that we believe will enable us to forge stronger relationships with our clients.

We have continued to drive operational excellence in order to expedite our decision-making processes by more closely aligning critical support functions with the operations they support, and also leverage our streamlining efforts to reduce our clients’ research and development timelines to help accelerate their speed to market.
We believe these actions contributed significantly to our strong financial performance in fiscal year 2017. The2022, in which we achieved:

a 12.3% increase in revenue;

37



cash flow relating to operating activities of $619.6 million; and

a 24.7% increase in GAAP earnings per share and a 7.8% increase in non-GAAP earnings per share.
Our strong 2022 financial results reflect the robust demand forenvironment as clients have placed greater focus on scientific innovation and their early-stage research efforts as we emerge from the pandemic. We have discussed in detail in the section of our productsAnnual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and services increased becauseAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” our 2022 financial results, including the impact of the pandemic.
Many of our pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients continued to intensify their use of strategic outsourcing during 2022 to improvemove their operating efficiencyearly-stage research programs forward in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Small and mid-size biotechnology clients continued to access capabilities that they do not maintain internally.be the primary driver of revenue growth as these clients benefited from the biotechnology funding environment in fiscal year 2022, from capital markets, partnering with large biopharmaceutical companies, and investment by venture capital, as well as the enhanced global focus on scientific innovation and emphasized greater investment in their preclinical pipelines. Many of our large biopharmaceutical clients have continued to increase investments in their drug discovery and early-stage development efforts and have strengthened their relationships with both contract research organizations (CROs),non-clinical drug development partners, like Charles River,us, and biotechnology companies to assist them in bringing new drugs to market. In addition, small and mid-size biopharmaceutical clients benefited from the continued strength in the biotechnology funding environment in fiscal year 2017, including from the capital markets, partnering with large biopharmaceutical companies, and investment by venture capital. Academia has also benefited from partnering activities, as large biopharmaceutical companies have increasingly utilized academic research capabilitiesClients continue to broaden the scope of their research activities. Our full-service, early-stage portfolio continued to lead to additional client discussions in fiscal year 2017 regarding strategic relationships, where clients seek to outsource larger portions of their early-stage drug research programs to us. The primary result of these trends was improved demand for our safety assessment services in fiscal year 2017, particularly from biotechnology clients. This improvement ledus, which is leading to increased capacity utilization in our Safety Assessment facilities, which remained well utilized during the year. Price also improved slightly, as industry capacity utilization continued to increase. In order to accommodate increasing client demand, we continued to open small amounts of new capacity in fiscal year 2017. We believe our scientific expertise, quality, and responsiveness remain key criteria when our clients make the decision to outsource to us.

        As our clients continue to pursue their goal of more efficient and effective drug research, they are evaluating outsourcing new areas of their research programs, such as discovery services. We have enhanced our Discovery Services capabilities over the past four years to enable us to work with clients at the earliest stages of the discovery process. In fiscal year 2017, demand in our Discovery Services business was stable. The completion of a few large, integrated early discovery projects from biopharmaceutical clients in fiscal year 2016 was largely offset with increasing demand from biotechnology clients as many of these clients either initiated or continued to work with us on integrated programs and other projects. Large biopharmaceutical companies continue to have significant internal discovery capabilities, on which they can choose to rely. In order for large biopharmaceutical clients to increasingly outsource more work to us, we must continue to demonstrate that our services can augment and accelerate our clients' drug discovery processes. The business changes that we implemented in fiscal year 2016, including a small site consolidation and realignment of sales strategies in our Early Discovery business have been successful resulting in the stabilization of the business in fiscal year 2017 and in attracting new clients, including a growing base of biotechnology clients. Demand for ourin vivo discovery services continued to increase in fiscal year 2017, and we acquired Brains On-Line in August 2017 to enhance our position as the premier single-source provider for a broad portfolio of discovery CNS services. In addition, we acquired KWS BioTest in January 2018 to enhance our discovery expertise, with complementary offerings that provide our customers with additional tools in the active therapeutic research areas of oncology and immunology.

        Demand for our products and services that support our clients' manufacturing activities was also robust in fiscal year 2017. Demand for our Microbial Solutions business remained strong as manufacturers continued to increase their use of our rapid microbial testing solutions. Our Biologics business continued to benefit from increased demand for services associated with the growing


proportion of biologic drugs in the pipeline and on the market. To support this increased demand, we continue to expand the capacity of our Biologics business.

        Demand for our Research Models and Services was stable in fiscal year 2017. Demand for research models in mature markets outside of China declined modestly, partially offset by improved pricing. The continued effect of the consolidation of internal infrastructure within our large biopharmaceutical clients and a longer-term trend towards more efficient use of research models has led to reduced demand for research models. Demand for research models in China continued to be robust in fiscal year 2017,opportunities as clients in this growing market continue to value our high-qualityadopt more flexible and efficient research models. To accommodate increased demand, we opened a new research models facility in China in late 2017. Demand for research models services also improved in fiscal year 2017, particularly for our GEMS and IS businesses. We are confident that research models and services will remain essential tools for our clients' drug discovery and early-stage development efforts, and the RMS business will continue to be an important source of cash flow generation for us. Furthermore, our DSA segment is the largest client of the research models business. Our high-quality research models are integral to our Discovery and Safety Assessment business' ability to perform studies for our clients.

        We believe the strong results in 2017 were, in part, derived from our focus on our key initiatives of:

    enhancing our ability to support our clients in today's complex drug research environment, through a focus on portfolio expansion, scientific expertise, and flexible working arrangements;

    improving productivity and efficiency, and generally strengthening our business model;

    maintaining disciplined investment in growth businesses; and

    returning value to shareholders.

        Our continued actions toward the achievement of these initiatives in 2017 included the following:

    We continued our focus on operating efficiencies through further optimizing our infrastructure, utilizing automation to reduce manual processes, and generating greater savings from our procurement activities.

    We expanded our Project Management Office (PMO) in order to strengthen our ability to identify and manage initiatives that contribute to our organization's productivity, efficiency, and risk management. This group participates globally with all businesses to support maximizing revenues, minimizing costs, and reducing risks. The PMO provides regular updates to our management Executive Committee, at which projects are prioritized.

    We created an Alliance Management group within the Company as part of our overarching effort to improve the client experience. This group assists clients in navigating our diverse and global organization in order to take maximum advantage of our unique portfolio of products and services.

    We made a key acquisition of Brains On-Line in August 2017, a leading contract research organization providing critical data that advances novel therapeutics for the treatment of central nervous (CNS) diseases, with operations in San Francisco, the Netherlands, and Germany.

        We believe these actions, together with others we made in 2016 and from which we benefited more fully in 2017, significantly contributed to the 43.7% increase in total shareholder return in 2017 and to the 15.6% increase in non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations in 2017. For a detailed discussion of our 2017 financial performance, the factors that we believe are influencing demand from our clients, and the actions we have taken during the past several years, please see the sections entitled "Our Strategy" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018.

models.

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, we are asking our shareholders to approve an advisory resolution on our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay"“say-on-pay” proposal and required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act), provides our shareholders with the opportunity to express their views, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, on our executive compensation for our named executives for fiscal year 20172022 as described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" (CD&A) sectionCD&A beginning on page 4442 of this Proxy Statement, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narratives found on pages 64 through 7961-76 of this Proxy Statement. The advisory vote is not a vote on our general compensation policies, the compensation of our Board of Directors, or our compensation policies as they relate to risk management.

Charles River shareholders provided very strong majority support for our named executives'executives’ compensation at our 2017 Annual Meeting2022 annual meeting of Shareholders (97.6%shareholders (88% of shares voted in support of this matter; 97.8% excluding abstentions)matter). We attribute this level of support to the significant actions we implemented from 2012 through 2016, including significant changes toour performance in 2021 and several long-standing characteristics of our executive compensation program during that period,we believe enhance the performance orientation of the program:

Base Salaries. We have kept base salary increases modest. While year-to-year there are individual adjustments (ranging from 3% to 6%) that may be below or above the average, in general annualized merit increases for our executives (excluding promotional increases) are consistent with the average annualized merit increases allotted to our North American workforce.

Annual Cash Incentive Awards. Our Compensation Program includes an annual cash bonus element that closely links a significant portion of executive pay to the achievement of short-term performance targets that are critical to meeting our stated financial objectives for the year. These targets are typically tied to specific financial metrics derived from our fiscal year operating plan.

Special Cash Award. In addition to our regular annual cash incentive award, in 2022, in accordance with the announcement of the appointment of Flavia H. Pease as noted below:

    its Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on March 28, 2022, Ms. Pease was granted a one-time signing bonus in the gross amount of $800,000. The initial $200,000 was paid within 30 days of her start date, with the remaining $600,000 to be paid after 12 months of employment with the Company.

38


We shifted our Executive
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Program for ourAwards, including Performance Share Units: Our officers (including eachtypically receive three types of our named executives)annual equity awards, and where appropriate and applicable, special equity awards (such as with respect to be more directly performance-based by restructuring awards made to those officers so that they were composed of approximately 60% executive transitions):

Performance Share Units (PSUs) incorporating, which vest on a “cliff basis” after three years, if service and performance requirements are met and which are paid out in shares based upon two separate performance metrics: (1) first fiscal year non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) and (2) three-year relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and non-GAAP EPS metrics, 20%(rTSR), as further described on pages 55-58 of this Proxy Statement in the discussion related to Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards. PSUs are intended to comprise approximately 60% of the intended value of long-term equity incentive awards provided to executive officers in any fiscal year (with the exception of Mr. Foster, for whom the percentage is 80%).

Time-based stock options, which vest over four years. Stock options have historically been intended to comprise approximately 20% of the intended value of long-term equity incentive awards provided to officers in any fiscal year.

Time-based restricted stock/RSUs, which vest over four years (except in limited circumstances when special awards are granted). Restricted stock/RSUs are intended to comprise approximately 20% of the intended value of long-term equity incentive awards provided to officers in any fiscal year (with the exception of Mr. Foster, who does not receive any RSUs).

Special Awards:

In accordance with the agreement made with Mr. David R. Smith on February 16, 2022 as a result of the January 11, 2022 announcement of his retirement from the Company, and 20%in lieu of our regular annual equity award grant in May 2022, Mr. Smith received a grant of restricted stock awards/units.

units on February 28, 2022 with a value of approximately $1.5 million USD with a 12-month vesting period, the vesting of such grant to be conditional upon Mr. Smith providing a smooth, structured handover of his responsibilities to his successor. This award vested in full as of February 28, 2023.
We have obtained advice
In addition to our regular annual equity award grant, in 2022, in accordance with the announcement of the appointment of Ms. Flavia H. Pease as our Corporate Vice President and recommendationsChief Financial Officer on executive compensation best practices from our independent external compensation consultant, Pay Governance LLC.

March 28, 2022, Ms. Pease was granted a one-time new hire equity award with a grant date value of $1.7 million as described in the section entitled “Executive Compensation and Related Information—2022 Grants of Plan Based Awards— Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2022”.

No 280G Excise Tax Gross-Ups.For the limited number of our executives with whom we hadhave change-in-control agreements (which includedinclude each of our executive officers at the time)named executives), we amended these agreements to eliminatedo not provide for any "gross-up"“gross-up” payment by the Company of any "golden parachute"of the excise taxes.

We eliminated our Corporate Officer Discretionary Allowance program.

Intaxes imposed by Section 4999 of the 2016 Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at the 2016 Annual Meeting, we added a "double-trigger" requirement for accelerated equity vesting.

Internal Revenue Code due to “golden parachute” payments.
We added a
Clawback Policy to ourPolicy. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

We have engaged in substantial outreach effortsGuidelines include a recoupment (also known as a clawback) policy. This policy applies to gather feedback with our major shareholders, who together hold more than a majority of our outstanding shares.

        The Compensation Committee believes that these changes were responsive to feedback from investors and enhanced the performance orientationall of our executive officers. Under this Clawback Policy, in the event of a restatement of all or a significant portion of Charles River’s financial statements that has been determined by the Board to be due to gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or fraud by an executive officer, the Board has the discretion to require repayment of a portion or all of any incentive-based compensation program. As those elementspaid to such executive officer or former executive officer and/or effect the cancellation of any unvested incentive compensation, subject to specified criteria.


Inclusion of “double-trigger” vesting in our recent equity compensation plans. Our 2016 and 2018 Incentive Plans include “double-trigger” vesting provisions that provide for accelerated vesting only upon both the occurrence of a change of control and a qualifying termination of employment within a reasonable period following the change in control.

Perquisites. We offer no significant perquisites or cash equivalents.

Stock Ownership. Stock ownership guideline for the CEO is 6 times base salary, and for executive officers is 3 times base salary.

39


We believe that all of these aspects of our Program are appropriate in light of, and consistent with, economic and market environments, our financial performance, the corporate actions taken, and executive compensation program continue today, we encourage shareholders to take these into account in consideringtrends. Furthermore, our focus on near term financial and operational objectives properly align management’s incentives with the vote presented below.

interests of our shareholders.

Notwithstanding the significantstrong majority vote of approval for our executive compensation program in 2017,2022, we have embraced the idea of continuing outreach with our shareholders, particularly for corporate governance and executive compensation and corporate governance issues. In the fallwinter of 2017,2022, we reached out to our largest 25 shareholders (which included to the best of our knowledge, shareholders holding more than a majority55% of our outstanding stock) and inquired whether it would be helpful to meet and/or speak with us to discuss our corporate governance and executive compensation and corporate governance practices. We received positive responses from, and held one-on-one conversations with, a smallsignificant subset of these shareholders, with the remainder indicating that they were satisfied with our corporate governance and executive compensation practices or otherwise not responding to our inquiries. In these one-on-one meetings, shareholders offered their perspectives on relevant issues, and in each case, we were informed that the shareholders were very satisfied with our financial performance, corporate governance profile, and changes to our executive compensation program. In the few areas where the shareholders indicated they might see opportunities for enhancement, management shared the information to our Board of Directors for future consideration. None of our shareholders advocated for any substantial changes to our executive compensation program.
Throughout the year, we continue to engage with shareholders in additional one-on-one meetings to provide forums for them to share their feedback. This is part of our ongoing efforts to connect with our shareholders and be responsive to their perspectives on important financial, strategic and governance practices and did not require any meeting with us, and the remainder did not respond to our inquiries.

matters.

We urge shareholders to read the CD&A beginning on pages 44-63page 42 of this Proxy Statement, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and how they are designed to achieve our compensation objectives. The CD&A includes informative data that demonstrates our pay-for-performance alignment, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narratives. Furthermore, for a detailed discussion of our 20172022 financial performance and the actions we have taken during the past fiverecent years, please also see the sections entitled "Our Strategy"“Our Strategy” and "Management's“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018.

22, 2023.

Advisory Vote and Board Recommendation

We request shareholder approval of the 20172022 compensation of our named executives as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the SEC'sSEC’s compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes the CD&A, the compensation tables and narrative disclosures that accompany the compensation tables within the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement). This vote is not intended to address any specific element of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executives and the compensation philosophy, policies, and practices described in this Proxy Statement.

Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that the Company'sCompany’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executives, as disclosed in the Company'sCompany’s Proxy Statement for the 20182023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 20172022 Summary Compensation Table, and the other related tables and disclosure within the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement."

This advisory resolution is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our shareholders and will carefully review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.


40


The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” the approval of the advisory resolution on executive compensation.



PROPOSAL THREE—APPROVALADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF THE 2018 INCENTIVE PLAN

FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In addition to the advisory vote on executive compensation in Proposal Two above, the Dodd-Frank Act also enables our shareholders to express their preference for having a “say-on-pay” vote every one, two, or three years. This advisory (non-binding) “say-on-frequency” vote is required once every six years. In both 2017 and 2011, our shareholders approved the Board of Director’s recommendation that we conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis. The Board of Directors believes thatintend for the continued growth of the Company depends,next say-on-frequency vote to take place in large part, upon our ability to attract, motivate, and retain key employees and directors, and that stock incentive awards are an important means of doing so.

        On March 20, 2018,2029.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors adoptedhas determined that holding an advisory vote on executive compensation every year remains the 2018 Incentive Plan (the Plan), subject to shareholder approval. The Plan is intended to replace the Company's existing equity compensation plan, the Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 2016 Incentive Plan (the 2016 Incentive Plan). The Board of Directors believes that the Plan will helpmost appropriate policy for the Company continueand recommends that shareholders vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to achieveoccur annually.
While our goals by keeping the incentiveexecutive compensation program dynamic and competitive with that of other companies, and ensuring that we may continue to attract and retain key employees who are expected to contribute to our success. The Plan will also allow us to accommodate and to create the appropriate incentives for a large pool of employees who will join us following the pending acquisition of MPI Research, andis designed to promote retention among employees of this newly acquired business.

        The Plan, similar to the 2016 Incentive Plan, will utilize a fungible pool concept (described in more detail below) where each share issued inlong-term connection with awards that do not have option-like features (full-value awards) such as restricted stockbetween pay and unrestricted stock (including shares issued for above-target payouts earned through performance, awards) is counted as 2.3 units, and each share issued that is subject to options, stock appreciation rights, and other awards that have option-like features and that expire no more than seven years from the date of grant is counted as 1 unit against the overall reserved and available shares. The aggregate number of shares of common stock being requested for authorization under the Plan is 7,198,598 shares, which includes (1) an initial reserve of 439,798 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2016 Incentive Plan and (2) an increase of 6,758,800 shares, as approved by the Board of Directors subject to approval byrecognizes that executive compensation disclosures are made annually. Holding an annual advisory vote on executive compensation provides the Board of Directors with more direct and immediate feedback on our compensation program. However, shareholders should note that because the advisory vote on executive compensation occurs well after the beginning of the Company. As such,compensation year, and because the requested aggregate share reserve under the Plan represents only an additional 5,015,940 shares in excess of the remaining share capacity under the 2016 Incentive Plan (which is 2,182,658 shares as of March 12, 2018). If the Plan is approved by our shareholders, the Plan will replace the 2016 Incentive Plan and no additional grants will be made from the remaining share reserve under the 2016 Incentive Plan. However, shares forfeited or otherwise not delivered in accordance with the 2016 Incentive Plan (such as shares currently reserved for settlement of outstanding Performance Share Unit (PSU) awards at a maximum payout level) will become available for issuance under the Plan.

        Depending on the forms of awards granted under the Plan, a maximum of 7,198,598 stock options or stock appreciation rights or 3,129,825 full-value awards could be granted under the Plan. The maximum number of shares available for issuance with respect to incentive stock options under the Plan will be 3,500,000. Except as described above, no further awards are permitted to be granted under anydifferent elements of our preexisting stock option and incentive plans. The number of shares authorized under the Plan is anticipated to enable us to grant stock-based awards through 2021.

        The closing price of Charles River common stock on the NYSE on March 19, 2018 was $110.86.

        The Compensation Committee worked with Pay Governance LLC, its outside compensation consultant, to develop the Plan, while taking into account the many institutional investor dilution guidelines, as well as the guidelines of investor advisory firms. We will continue to monitor the comparative advantages and accounting treatment of equity compensation awards going forward, in order to ensure that the Plan promotes retention and creates incentives in a manner which benefits our shareholders.

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented and entitled to vote at the Meeting is required to approve the proposed Plan. This means that, assuming a quorum is present, the number of votes cast in favor of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast against it. In


addition, under New York Stock Exchange rules, an "abstention" is counted as a vote "against" the proposal. If the Plan is not approved by shareholders, we will not be able to make the proposed additional 6,758,800 shares available for issuance under the Plan.

Advisory Vote and Board Recommendation
Shareholders will be able to specify one of target, granted during a year to the number of basic weighted average common shares outstanding at fiscal year-end. For purposes of calculating the burn rate, we have used an adjusted fungible multiplier of 2.5four choices for every full-value share granted, consistent with Institutional Shareholder Services' methodology.

We have a record of effectively estimating and managing our share reserve. For instance, in 2013, when we asked our shareholders to approve an increase in the number of shares that


The Board of Directors believes that the Plan, authorizing the issuance of
7,198,598 shares of common stock, is in the best interest of the Company
and its shareholders and recommends a vote "FOR" the approval of the Plan.

Summary of the Plan

        The following is a brief summary of the material terms of the Plan, as proposed. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B to the electronic version of this Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC and may be accessed from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). In addition, a hard copy may be obtained by making a written request to our Corporate Secretary.

The Board of Directors approved the Plan, which authorizes a total of 7,198,598 shares of common stock, on March 20, 2018. The total of 7,198,598 shares of common stock includes (i) an initial reserve of 439,798 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2016 Incentive Plan as of March 12, 2018, and (ii) an increase of 6,758,800 shares, as approved bydisapprove the Board of Directors, subjectDirectors’ recommendation.) We understand that our shareholders may have different views as to approval bywhat is an appropriate frequency for advisory votes on executive compensation, and we will carefully review the shareholdersvoting results on this proposal.

This advisory vote on the frequency of the Company. The maximum number of shares available for issuance with respect to incentive stock options under the Plan will be 3,500,000. The Plan may be amended byfuture advisory votes on executive compensation is non-binding on the Board of Directors orDirectors. Notwithstanding the Compensation Committee, provided that any amendment which requires shareholder approval in order to ensure (1) continued qualification under the NYSE rules, (2) favorable federal income tax treatment for any incentive stock options under Section 422recommendation of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or (3) compliance with, or the avoidance of adverse consequences under, Section 409A of the Code, is subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. As of March 19, 2018, the market value of the shares to be reserved for issuance under the Plan was $110.86 per share. The Plan is being submitted for shareholder approval at the Meeting to ensure qualification of the Plan under the NYSE rules and Section 422 of the Code.

Eligibility to Receive Awards

        All employees, non-employee directors, and individuals or entities providing services to the Company or its affiliates (approximately 12,000 employees and 10 non-employee directors as of the date of this Proxy Statement) are potentially eligible to participate in the Plan. Eligibility for incentive stock options is limited to those individuals whose employment status would qualify them for the tax treatment of Sections 421 and 422 of the Code. Participants are not required to provide consideration to the Company or its affiliates for the grant or extension of awards under the Plan, other than to provide services to the Company or its affiliates. The basis for participation in the Plan is the administrator's view, in its sole discretion, that an eligible participant is in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company and its affiliates. In recent years, nine eligible


non-employee directors and approximately 6% of employees received awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan.

        The aggregate grant date fair value (determined as of the date of grant) of any award granted under the Plan to an individual upon becoming a non-employee director (an Initial Non-Employee Director Grant) shall not exceed $600,000. An individual non-employee director may not receive under the Plan (or otherwise) in any calendar year awards denominated in shares with a grant date fair value (determined as of the date of grant) that, when combined with the aggregate amount of any cash performance awards and any other compensation granted to such individual in the same calendar year, exceeds an aggregate of $800,000 (excluding an Initial Non-Employee Director Grant).

New Plan Benefits

        The granting of awards under the Plan is discretionary, and we cannot now determine the number or type of awards to be granted in the future to any particular group or person. Accordingly, a new plan benefits table for the Plan and the benefits or amounts that would have been received by or allocated to participants for the last completed fiscal year under the Plan if the Plan was then in effect, as described in the proxy rules, are not provided because all awards made under the Plan will be subject to the terms of the Plan and made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee (with respect to all participants other than non-employee directors) or the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (with respect to non-employee directors). As of the date of this Proxy Statement, no awards have been granted under the Plan. Therefore, the benefits and amounts that will be received or allocated under the Plan are not determinable at this time. Nevertheless, the Company anticipates that awards will be made under the Plan (if approved by shareholders at the Annual Meeting) to our non-employee directors in May 2018. If each non-employee director were awarded stock options and restricted stock units in 2018 with the same grant date fair value as the award the director received in 2017, and assuming that no director elected to receive their annual cash fees in the form of equivalent value RSUs, then as of March 19, 2018, each director would receive 0 stock options and 2,436 RSUs pursuant to the Plan (on a group basis, the non-employee directors would receive a total of 0 stock options and 24,360 RSUs). For additional information on our annual equity awards to non-employee directors in the last fiscal year, please see the 2017 Director Compensation Table on pages 20-21 of this Proxy Statement. Please also refer to the Summary Compensation Table on page 63 in this Proxy Statement, which sets forth certain information regarding awards granted to our named executives during fiscal year 2017.

Administration of the Plan

        The Board or one or more committees of the Board that is appointed or authorized by the Board may administer the Plan. The Compensation Committee administers the Plan with respect to awards for all participants, other than for non-employee directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee administers the Plan with respect to awards for non-employee directors. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Compensation Committee or the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, as the case may be, determines the persons to whom awards will be granted, the number of shares to be covered by each stock award, and the terms and conditions upon which each of the awards may be granted, including vesting periods.

Available Shares

        Subject to adjustment upon certain corporate transactions or events, as proposed, up to a maximum of 7,198,598 shares of common stock (the Fungible Pool Limit), which includes (1) an initial reserve of 439,798 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2016 Incentive Plan as of


March 12, 2018, and (2) an increase of 6,758,800 shares, as approved by the Board of Directors, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company, may be subject to stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, deferred stock, and other equity-based awards under the Plan. Each share issued or to be issued in connection with awards such as restricted stock and unrestricted stock that do not have option-like features (full-value awards) shall be counted against the Fungible Pool Limit as 2.3 units. Each share issued or to be issued that is subject to options, stock appreciation rights and other awards that have option-like features and that expire no more than seven years from the date of grant shall be counted against the Fungible Pool Limit as 1 unit. Awards not denominated in shares shall not count against the Fungible Pool Limit.

        Shares that are forfeited or cancelled shall not be considered to have been delivered under the Plan (and thus will be available for future grant under the Plan), but shares retained by the Company in satisfaction of the exercise price or tax withholding requirements of an award will be considered to have been delivered under the Plan (and thus will not be available for future grant under the Plan). In addition, shares repurchased by the Company with proceeds collected in connection with the exercise of outstanding options will not be added to the number of shares available for future grant under the Plan. The Compensation Committee will administer the appropriate methodology for calculating the number of shares of common stock issued pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the foregoing.

        Subject to adjustment upon certain corporate transactions or events, the maximum number of shares available for issuance with respect to incentive stock options under the Plan shall be 3,500,000.

Description of Awards

        The Plan provides for a range of awards including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, deferred stock, cash performance awards, and grants of cash made in connection with other awards in order to help defray in whole or in part the economic cost (including tax cost) of the award to the participant. In addition, the Plan provides that certain awards may be designated as performance awards if they are related to a performance period determined at the time of grant.

        Stock options under the Plan may be either (1) options intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code or (2) non-qualified stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted under the Plan to employees of the Company and its affiliates. Non-qualified stock options may be granted to employees of the Company and its affiliates, consultants, and directors.

        In accordance with federal tax laws, the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant) of shares issuable pursuant to incentive stock options which first become exercisable in any calendar year under any incentive stock option of the Company may not exceed $100,000 calculated individually for each option holder. Options granted under the Plan may not be granted at a price less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, or 110% of fair market value in the case of incentive stock options granted to an employee holding 10% or more of the voting stock of the Company. The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price of each stock option, provided that each option must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.

        SARs are rights entitling the holder upon exercise to receive cash or stock, as the Compensation Committee determines, equal to a function (determined by such factors as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate) of the amount by which the stock has appreciated in value since the date of the award. The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price of each SAR, provided


that each SAR must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.

        Restricted stock is an award of stock subject to restrictions requiring that such stock be redelivered to the Company if specified conditions are not satisfied.

        Unrestricted stock is an award of stock not subject to any restrictions under the Plan.

        Deferred stock is a promise to deliver stock, other securities, or other property in the future on specified terms described in each deferred stock agreement to a participant (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a director of the Company). Our restricted stock units (RSUs) are a form of Deferred Stock.

        A cash performance award is a performance award payable in cash.

        A performance award refers to an award granted to employees where receipt of an underlying final award is dependent upon satisfaction of specified performance criteria. At the beginning of each performance period, targeted performance levels will be established at which a target performance award may be earned, with a threshold or minimum performance level below which no award will be paid, and a maximum beyond which no additional amounts will be paid. The percentage of each performance award that will become a final award will be determined by the Compensation Committee on the basis of the performance goals established and the performance achieved. A final award may be less than or greater than the target performance award. Final awards may relate to, and upon vesting be paid in the form of, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, deferred stock, cash performance awards or cash (or any combination of the foregoing). Except in the case of a participant's full career retirement, which is subject to age, service, and advance notice requirements, payment of final awards will be contingent upon the participant continuing to render services to the Company at such time (unless this condition is waived by the Compensation Committee). For more information about full career retirement provisions in our equity awards, please see page 58 of this Proxy Statement.

Term of Awards

        Awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights will have a term not to exceed seven years from the date of grant. The administrator of the Plan will determine the terms of all other awards.

Vesting and Exercisability

        The Compensation Committee determines the time or times at which awards under the Plan will vest or become exercisable and the terms on which an award will remain exercisable. However, as discussed below, there are certain minimum vesting periods for issuances of awards that are not performance awards.


Repricings

        Options and SARs may not be repriced, or replaced with any other award (including full-value awards) or repurchased for cash, without shareholder approval.

Transferability of Awards

        No award granted under the Plan is transferable by the holder except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

Certain Share Limits on Awards under the Plan

        Awards will vest as follows: (1) awards that are not performance awards to participants shall vest (i.e, become free of forfeiture restrictions) over a period of time at least three years or more from the date of grant, and no award will vest in part or in whole before 12 months from the date of grant; and (2) full-value awards that are performance awards will be subject to the attainment of performance objectives which require at least 12 months to achieve, and no award will vest in part or in whole before 12 months from the date of grant. However, awards aggregating not more than 5% of the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan may be awarded without regard to such vesting requirements set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above.

        Subject to adjustment upon certain corporate transactions or events, the maximum number of shares of stock for which any awards may be granted to any participant annually from and after adoption of the Plan and prior to March 20, 2028 shall be 2,000,000. No awards may be granted under the Plan after March 20, 2028, but previously granted awards may extend beyond that date.

        In addition, no more than $3,000,000 may be paid to any individual with respect to any cash performance award (other than an award expressed in terms of shares of stock or units representing stock). In applying the dollar limitation of the preceding sentence, multiple cash performance awards to the same individual that are determined by reference to performance periods of one year ending with or within the same fiscal year of the Company shall be subject in the aggregate to the $3,000,000 limit. Multiple cash performance awards to the same individual that are determined by reference to one or more multi-year performance periods ending in the same fiscal year of the Company are not included in the limit described above; instead, they are subject in the aggregate to a separate $3,000,000 limit.

        An award may not provide for any dividend or dividend equivalents to be payable to the participant in respect of such award prior to the time at which such award (or applicable portion thereof) vests (and, in the case of a performance award, the applicable performance condition is achieved).

Reclassification of Stock

        Under the Plan, if the shares of common stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares, or if the Company shall issue any shares of common stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding common stock, the Compensation Committee will make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares that may be delivered under the Plan and to the maximum share limits described above, and will also make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to awards then outstanding or subsequently granted,


including any exercise prices relating to the awards and any other provision of awards affected by such change.

Certain Transactions

        Other than in connection with awards that are denominated and subject to settlement in cash, awards will not vest in connection with a Covered Transaction unless such Covered Transaction is accompanied by a "double trigger event". For this purpose, a "double trigger event" occurs in connection with a Covered Transaction if (1) the award is not appropriately assumed nor an equivalent award substituted by the surviving, continuing, successor or purchasing company or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be, (2) cash or cash equivalents are the sole or primary form of consideration to be received by the shareholder of the Company; and (3) at the time of, or within 12 months following the Covered Transaction, the participant incurs a termination of employment without Cause or for Good Reason (each as defined in the Plan, which is attached as Appendix B to the electronic version of this Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC and may be accessed from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov)).

        Upon a Covered Transaction "double trigger event": (1) in the case of a stock option or SAR, the stock option or SAR shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the occurrence of the double trigger event; (2) in the case of restricted stock, deferred stock or RSUs (in each case other than an award of restricted stock, award of deferred stock or award of RSUs that is a performance award), the restriction period shall lapse and the restricted stock, deferred stock or restricted stock unit (as applicable) shall fully vest immediately upon the occurrence of the double trigger event; and (3) in the case of a performance award, payment under the award shall be subject to the terms set forth in the applicable award agreement.

        A Covered Transaction is deemed to occur where the Company undergoes any of: (1) a consolidation, merger or other transaction which results in any individual, entity or "group" acquiring the beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of either the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) at any time during a period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors and any new memberthe outcome of the shareholder vote, the Board of Directors whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of members of the Board of Directors; (3) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company's assets; or (4) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

Forfeiture or Clawback of Awards

        The Compensation Committee may determine that any award under the Plan shall be subject to provisions for the forfeiture and/or reimbursement of all amounts received in connection with an award in the eventfuture decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with shareholders and the adoption of breach of noncompetition, nonsolicitation, or confidentiality agreements. All awards granted under the Plan are subjectmaterial changes to recoupment, to the extent applicable, under the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and/or any other recoupment, clawback or similar policy that may be approved by thecompensation programs.

The Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, a participant shall be required to reimburse the Company amounts received in connection withrecommends an award to the extent required under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.


French Schedule

        The Plan also includes a schedule pursuant to which awards of deferred stock may be granted to participants situated and/or employed in France (French Schedule). The purpose of the French Schedule is to enable the Company to make deferred stock awards which may qualify for favorable tax treatment in France by making certain variations to the terms of the Plan in order to satisfy certain French securities laws, exchange control, corporate law and tax requirements. The French Schedule provides that, in addition to the 12-month minimum vesting requirement described above applicable to all awards, to the extent that the award vests less than two years after the date of grant, the stock acquiredannual advisory vote on vesting will be subject to a holding period, such that there is a minimum two-year period between the date of grant and the date that the shares may be freely disposed of by the participant.

Federal Income Tax Considerations

        The following is a description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise of awards under the Plan under U.S. federal income tax laws as currently in effect. This general tax discussion is intended for the information of shareholders considering how to vote with respect to this proposal and not as tax guidance to participants in the Plan. Different tax rules may apply to specific participants and transactions under the Plan, particularly in jurisdictions outside the United States. Accordingly, the Company urges each participant to consult his or her own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of participation in the Plan under federal, state, local and other applicable laws.

        An optionee is generally not taxed on the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. The difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date will, however, be considered an adjustment for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If an optionee holds the shares acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option for at least two years following grant and at least one year following exercise, the optionee's gain (or loss), if any, upon a subsequent disposition of such shares is a long-term capital gain (or loss). The measure of the gain is the difference between the proceeds received on disposition and the optionee's basis in the shares (which generally equals the exercise price). If an optionee disposes of stock acquired pursuant to exercise of an incentive stock option before satisfying the one and two-year holding periods described above, the optionee will recognize both ordinary income and capital gain (or loss) in the year of disposition. The amount of the ordinary income will be the lesser of (1) the amount realized on disposition less the optionee's adjusted basis in the stock (usually the exercise price) or (2) the difference between the fair market value of the stock on the exercise date and the exercise price. The balance of the consideration received on such a disposition will be short-term capital gain or long-term capital gain depending on the holding period of the share. The Company is not entitled to an income tax deduction on the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option or on the optionee's disposition of the shares after satisfying the required holding periods described above. If the holding periods are not satisfied, the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year the optionee disposes of the shares, in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the optionee, subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code.

        The grant of a non-qualified option will not result in taxable income to the optionee or deduction to the Company at the time of grant. The optionee will recognize taxable compensation, and the Company will have a corresponding deduction (subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code), at the time of exercise in the amount of the excess of the then fair market value of the shares acquired over the exercise price, and the optionee will be required


to satisfy the tax withholding requirements applicable to such income. Upon disposition of the shares, the optionee will generally realize capital gain or loss (short- or long-term, depending on the length of the period the shares were held), and the optionee's basis for determining gain or loss will be the sum of the exercise price paid for the shares plus the amount of compensation income recognized on exercise of the option.

        The amount of any cash or the fair market value of any stock received by a participant upon the exercise of SARs under the Plan will be subject to ordinary income tax in the year of receipt, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction for such amount, subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code.

        A participant who receives restricted stock will recognize no income on the grant of the restricted stock and the Company will not qualify for any deduction, unless the election described below is made by the participant. At the time the restricted stock is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, a participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the restricted stock at the time the restriction lapses over the consideration paid for the restricted stock, if any. The holding period that determines whether the participant has short- or long-term capital gain or loss begins when the restriction period expires, and the tax basis for the shares will generally be the fair market value of the shares on such date.

        A participant may elect, under Section 83(b) of the Code, within 30 days of his or her receipt of the restricted stock, to recognize ordinary compensation income on the date of transfer in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value on the date of such transfer of the shares of restricted stock, determined without regard to certain restrictions, over the consideration paid for the restricted stock, if any. Additional special tax rules apply if the participant forfeits the shares. On a disposition of the shares, a participant will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the tax basis for the shares.

        Whether or not the participant makes an election under Section 83(b), the Company generally will qualify for a deduction, subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code, at the time and equal to the amount that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant.

        Upon receiving an award of unrestricted stock under the Plan, the participant will realize ordinary income to the extent of the fair market value (determined at the time of transfer to the employee) of such shares, over the amount, if any, paid by the employee for the shares. Such taxable amounts will generally be deductible as compensation by the Company, subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code.

        A participant generally does not recognize income, and the Company generally will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time an RSU is granted. When the RSUs vest and are settled for cash or shares, the participant generally will be required to recognize as income an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares or the amount of cash on the date of settlement, and the Company generally will be allowed a corresponding tax deduction at that time, subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code. Any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or exchange of the shares (if settled in shares) is generally treated as capital gain or


loss for which the Company is not entitled to a deduction. For purposes of clarity, for federal income tax considerations, the PSUs are considered a variant of RSUs.

        A participant who receives an award of deferred stock will recognize no income on the grant of such award. However, he or she will recognize ordinary compensation income on the later transfer of the actual stock. If at the time of transfer the stock received is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the tax treatment will be the same as discussed above under the caption "Restricted Stock." The Company generally will qualify for a deduction, subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code, at the time and equal to the amount that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant.

        Generally, a participant will recognize ordinary income and the Company will generally be entitled to a deduction (and will be required to withhold federal income taxes), subject to the reasonableness of compensation limitation and Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to such cash awards at the earliest time at which the participant has an unrestricted right to receive the amount of such cash payment.

        Section 162(m) of the Code provides that the deduction by a publicly held corporation for compensation paid in a taxable year to certain executive officers of the corporation is limited to $1 million per each individual officer. There can be no assurance that such compensation under the Plan will be fully deductible under all circumstances.

        To the extent applicable, awards granted under the Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and the Plan will be interpreted and administered in accordance therewith. The Administrator of the Plan will have the authority unilaterally to accelerate or delay a payment to which the holder of any award may be entitled to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with, or avoid adverse consequences under, Section 409A of the Code (including with regard to an individual deemed to be a "specified employee" under Section 409A of the Code who has received an amount under the Plan deemed to be "deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Code).

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee that the Plan, any awards or any payments with respect thereto are in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Unless certain requirements set forth in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code are satisfied, holders of such awards may be taxed earlier than would otherwise be the case (e.g., at the time of vesting instead of the time of payment) and may be subject to an additional 20% penalty tax (and, potentially, certain interest penalties and additional state taxes).

Registration with the SEC

        If our shareholders approve the Plan, we will file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as reasonably practical after the approval, to register the shares available for issuance under the Plan.

compensation.


        The following table summarizes, as of December 30, 2017, the number of options issued under the Company's stock option plans and the number of options available for future issuance under these plans.

41

Plan Category
 Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
 
 
 (a)
 (b)
 (c)
 

Equity compensation plan approved by security holders:

          

2007 Incentive Plan

  1,164,089 $65.41  0(2)

2016 Incentive Plan

  608,430 $88.09  4,121,381(2)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

       

Total

  1,772,519(1)    4,121,381(3)

(1)
None of the options outstanding under any of our equity compensation plans include rights to any dividend equivalents (i.e., a right to receive from us a payment equal to dividend payments received by holders of our common stock or our other equity instruments).

(2)
Additionally, we note that as of December 30, 2017, the zero shares remaining in the 2007 Incentive Plan Fungible Pool and the 4,121,381 shares remaining in the 2016 Incentive Plan Fungible Pool reflect the balance available after earmarking the full number of shares which may be necessary to settle outstanding 2016 and 2017 PSUs at their potential maximum payouts, taking into account the impact of non-GAAP EPS performance on both grants (in total, 621,017 shares).

(3)
On March 28, 2016, the Board of Directors determined that, upon approval of the 2016 Incentive Plan, no future awards would be granted under the preexisting equity compensation plans, including the 2007 Incentive Plan. Shareholder approval was obtained on May 11, 2016. Previously, on March 22, 2007, the Board of Directors determined that, upon approval of the 2007 Incentive Plan, no future awards would be granted under the preexisting equity compensation plans, including the Charles River 1999 Management Incentive Plan and the Charles River 2000 Incentive Plan. Shareholder approval was obtained on May 8, 2007. Previously, on February 28, 2005, the Board of Directors terminated the Inveresk 2002 Stock Option Plan to the extent that no further awards would be granted thereunder. The 2016 Incentive Plan utilizes a fungible pool concept where each share issued in connection with awards that do not have option-like features (full-value awards) is counted as 2.3 units and each share issued that is subject to options, stock appreciation rights, and other awards that expire no more than seven years from the date of grant is counted as 1 unit against the overall reserved and available shares.

        The following table provides additional information regarding the aggregate issuances under our existing equity compensation plans as of December 30, 2017:

Category
 Number of
securities
outstanding
 Weighted average
exercise price
 Weighted average
term
 
 
 (a)
 (b)
 (c)
 

Total number of restricted stock/units outstanding(1)

  512,852 $   

Total number of options outstanding(2)

  1,772,519 $73.19  3.16 

Total number of performance share units outstanding(3)

  621,017 $   


(1)
For purposes of this table, only unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units as of December 30, 2017 are included. This number does not incorporate the 2.3 fungible ratio.

(2)
For purposes of this table, only options outstanding as of December 30, 2017 are included.

(3)
For purposes of this table, reflects currently projected potential maximum payouts of outstanding 2016 and 2017 PSUs, taking into account the impact of non-GAAP EPS performance on both grants. This number does not incorporate the 2.3 fungible ratio.

        In February 2018, the Company issued its annual equity compensation awards to its employees and on March 12, 2018 issued awards to new hires. Accordingly, the following table summarizes, as of March 12, 2018, the updated number of options issued under the Company's stock option plans and the updated number of options available for future issuance under these plans.

Plan Category
 Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
 
 (a)
 (b)
 (c)
 

Equity compensation plan approved by security holders:

          

2007 Incentive Plan

  905,761 $66.71  0(2)

2016 Incentive Plan

  1,058,063 $98.25  2,182,658(2)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

       

Total

  1,963,824(1)    2,182,658(3)

(1)
None of the options outstanding under any equity compensation plan of the Company include rights to any dividend equivalents (i.e., a right to receive from the Company a payment equal to dividend payments received by holders of common stock or other equity instruments of the Company).

(2)
In addition, we note that as of March 12, 2018, the 0 shares remaining in the 2007 Incentive Plan and the 2,182,658 shares remaining in the 2016 Incentive Plan Fungible Pool reflect the balance available after earmarking the full number of shares (at the 2.3 fungible ratio) which may be necessary to settle outstanding 2016, 2017 and 2018 PSUs at their potential maximum payouts 2,415,016 shares).

(3)
On March 28, 2016, the Board of Directors determined that, upon approval of the 2016 Incentive Plan, no future awards would be granted under the preexisting equity compensation plans, including the 2007 Incentive Plan. Shareholder approval was obtained on May 11, 2016. Previously, on March 22, 2007, the Board of Directors determined that, upon approval of the 2007 Incentive

        The following table provides additional information regarding the aggregate issuances under the Company's existing equity compensation plans as of March 12, 2018.

Category
 Number of
securities
outstanding
 Weighted
average
exercise price
 Weighted
average term
 
 
 (a)
 (b)
 (c)
 

Total number of restricted stock/units outstanding(1)

  532,452 $   

Total number of options outstanding(2)

  1,963,824 $83.70  3.56 

Total number of performance shares outstanding(3)

  1,050,007 $   

(1)
For purposes of this table, only unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units as of March 12, 2018 are included. This number does not incorporate the 2.3 fungible ratio.

(2)
For purposes of this table, only options outstanding as of March 12, 2018 are included.

(3)
For purposes of this table, reflects currently projected potential maximum payouts of outstanding 2016, 2017, and 2018 PSUs, taking into account the impact of non-GAAP EPS on the 2016 and 2017 grants. This number does not incorporate the 2.3 fungible ratio.

Share Utilization Disclosure

        The following table summarizes our share utilization with respect to the 2016 Incentive Plan and our 2007 Incentive Plan over the past three fiscal years. We include this table in recognition that many shareholders find this information useful in evaluating equity compensation proposals, such as this Proposal 3.

Year
 Stock Options
Granted
 Restricted
Stock/Restricted
Stock Units
Granted
 Performance
Shares
Earned(1)
 Total Basic Weighted
Average
Common Shares
Outstanding
 

Fiscal Year 2015

  473,506  197,810  168,223(2) 839,539  46,496,000 

Fiscal Year 2016

  587,517  236,457  326,550(3) 1,150,524  47,014,000 

Fiscal Year 2017

  603,111  252,616  196,527(4) 1,052,254  47,481,000 

(1)
In fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017, the following PSUs were granted (at target levels), respectively: 164,263; 208,375; 212,135.

(2)
Reflects shares earned for 2013 PSU grants, taking into account all performance factors as of fiscal year end 2015 (the Final Award)

(3)
Reflects shares earned for 2014 PSU grants, taking into account all performance factors as of fiscal year end 2016 (the Final Award).

(4)
Reflects shares earned for 2015 PSU grants, taking into account all performance factors as of fiscal year end 2017 (the Final Award).


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The purpose of our compensation program is to motivate, recruit and retain the strongest possible management team, whileand simultaneously aligning management'salign management’s interest with those of our shareholders. With these considerations in mind, the Compensation Committee (referred to in this section of the Proxy Statement as the Committee) has overseen the development, implementation and administration of our Executive Compensation Program (the Compensation Program or Program), described below, for members of senior management including the Chief Executive Officer and the other fourfive executives who are identified in the Summary Compensation Table below (our named executives). Our philosophy behind the Compensation Program is that it should appropriately align executive compensation with both the short- and long-term performance of the Company. Our named executives for fiscal year 20172022 are: James C. Foster (Chief(Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer and President)Officer), David R. SmithFlavia H. Pease (Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), William D. Barbo (Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer), David P. JohstBirgit Girshick (Corporate Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief AdministrativeOperating Officer), and Dr. Davide A. MolhoJoseph W. LaPlume (Corporate Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy), and President, Global RMS, Safety Assessment & Biologics). In February 2018, Dr. Molho was promoted toDavid R. Smith (formerly our Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Financial Officer).

Executive Summary

2022 brought new and unique compensation and employee experiences, resulting from the challenging economic climate in the global financial markets. We continued to focus on supporting the overall well-being of our employees in order help them continue to be effective in performing their work. Specifically, actions this year included:

reinforcing competitive pay by making appropriate adjustments to hiring rates and pay of current employees to ensure attraction and retention;

continuing to provide additional paid time off for all employees for COVID-related situations, aligning at a minimum with local requirements, and providing flexibility to work from home when possible; and

enhancing the well-being for employees by expanding our emotional and behavioral resources through traditional services and internal employee resource groups.
To further differentiate ourselves from the competition, we have strategically expanded our portfolio to provide clients with the critical capabilities they require to discover, develop, and safely manufacture new drugs. We have enhanced our scientific capabilities for advanced therapies in areas that offer significant growth potential, with six key acquisitions over the past three years. By doing so, we have built an end-to-end, non-clinical portfolio of cell and gene therapy solutions to support clients from early-stage research through Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) production. The greater complexity of scientific research is encouraging the biopharmaceutical industry to rely on the Company’s high-science capabilities when choosing an outsourcing partner.
We believe that the intended design of our 20172022 Compensation Program is best understood by also evaluating it in the context of both the historical and current business environment in which we have been operating sinceoperate.
For the end of the previous decade. At that time,past decade, demand from our large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies began to undertake significant changes in their operations as they endeavored to improve the productivity of their drug development pipelines, and at the same time, streamline their infrastructures in order to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. Until about six years ago, these actions had an unfavorable impact on sales of our products and services, and our financial performance, and this was reflected in the compensation earned by our officers.

        Over the past five or six years, however, the demandbiotechnical clients for our outsourced services has steadily improved as has demand for products and services to support our clients'their manufacturing activities. We took severalhave continued to take many important steps in the past fourrecent years to position the Company to meet this increased demand and to maintain responsiveness to clients'clients’ needs:


in our Discovery and Safety Assessment segment, we enhanced our Safety Assessment capacity by opening small amounts of new capacity at existing facilities in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, reopening our Charles River Massachusetts facility in the first quarter of 2016, and expanding our global footprint and reinforcingreinforced our scientific leadership through the acquisitionacquisitions of WIL Research in April 2016. Beginning in 2014, we also acquired several Discovery Services businesses (Argenta, BioFocus, ChanTest, VivoPath, Oncotest, Agilux(Distributed Bio, Retrogenix, and Brains On-LineSAMDI Tech) and most recently in January 2018, KWS BioTest)entered into several scientific partnerships (e.g., Bit Bio, Fios Genomics, Deciphex, Cypre Kibur, Valo Health, and PathoQuest) to enhance our early-stagenon-clinical drug research capabilities and enable us to work with clients at the earliest stages of the discovery process;


in our Manufacturing SupportSolutions segment, we acquired (1) Sunrise Farms, Inc.expanded our Biologics Solutions business into the cell and gene therapy CDMO market through our acquisitions of Cognate BioServices and Vigene Biosciences in May 2015 to expand our production of specific-pathogen-free fertile chicken eggs2021; and chickens used in the manufacture of live viruses, (2) Celsis Group Limited in July 2015 to further enhance our rapid microbial testing portfolio by expanding in the non-sterile quality control testing market, and (3) Blue Stream Laboratories, Inc., an analytical CRO supporting the development of complex biologics and biosimilars, in June 2016; and


42



in our Research Models and Services segment, in 2020 we opened a new research models facilityacquired HemaCare and Cellero to establish our Cell Solutions business, and in China in late 20172022 we acquired Explora BioLabs to accommodate increased demand.complement our Insourcing Solutions business, specifically our CRADL® (Charles River Accelerator and Development Lab) footprint.

During this same periodthe past decade, we tookalso implemented a variety of decisive actionsinitiatives targeted at strengthening the business, enhancing client satisfactionservice, and returningcontinuing to return value to shareholders. Our continued actions toward the achievement of these initiatives in 20172022 included the following:


We continued our focus on operating efficiencies through further optimizing our infrastructure, utilizing automation to reduce manual processes,processes; investing in our digital enterprise to enhance our real-time access to data and connectivity with clients; and generating greater savings from our procurement activities.


We expandedcontinued to invest in our Project Management Office (PMO)people, capacity, and systems to accommodate robust client demand in 2022. From strategic hiring and employee engagement initiatives, to the expansion of our capacity and scientific capabilities, we have made essential investments that we believe will enable us to forge stronger relationships with our clients.

We have continued to drive operational excellence in order to identifyexpedite our decision-making processes by more closely aligning critical support functions with the operations they support, and manage initiatives that contributealso leverage our streamlining efforts to reduce our organization's productivity, efficiency,clients’ research and risk management. This group participates globally across all our businessesdevelopment timelines to support maximization of revenue, minimization of costs, and risk reduction. PMO projects are prioritized through regular updateshelp accelerate their speed to our management Executive Committee.

We created an Alliance Management group within the Company as part of our overarching effort to improve the client experience. This group assists clients in navigating our diverse, global organization in order to take maximum advantage of our unique portfolio of products and services.

market.

We believe these actions contributed significantly to our strong financial performance in fiscal 2017,year 2022, in which we achieved:


a 10.5%12.3% increase in revenue;


cash flow relating to operating activities of $318.1$619.6 million; and


a 15.6%24.7% increase in GAAP earnings per share and a 7.8% increase in non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations.

share.

In addition, the actions listed above were instrumental in our strong financial performance over the three-year period from 20152020 through 2017,2022, as reflected in a 67.3%45.8% increase in TSRtotal shareholder return (TSR) during that period (calculated utilizing the 20 trading-daytrading day average closing price immediately preceding the beginning date of the period as compared to the same formula applied through the ending date of the period), as well as payouts for our 20152020 PSUs (which have the same three-year measurement term) of 127.7%171% of target reflective of a 61st64th percentile ranking in relative Total Shareholder Return (rTSR) performance over that time. Please see pages 59-60page 57 of this Proxy Statement for more information regarding our 20152020 PSU payouts.

        We believe that, when viewed


43


In addition, our strong financial performance over the five-year period from 2018 through 2022 as compared to both our rTSR peers and our industry peers can be observed in this context, the compensationfollowing performance graph:
[MISSING IMAGE: lc_peergroup-bw.jpg]
Stock Price Performance
Fiscal Year
201720182019202020212022
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.$100.00$102.07$138.81$229.98$337.32$199.09
FY2022 rTSR Peer Group Median100.00102.84133.61156.45180.65177.33
S&P 500 Health Care100.00105.01129.09143.22181.99180.47
The above stock performance graph compares the annual percentage change in the Company’s cumulative total shareholder return on its Common Stock during a period commencing on December 31, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2022 (as measured by dividing (1) the sum of (A) the cumulative amount of dividends for our executive officers was appropriately aligned to our financial performance. For instance, our CEO's annual cash bonus amount was 102.7%the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and (B) the difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the target, duemeasurement period; by (2) the share price at the beginning of the measurement period) with the cumulative total return of the peer group median and the S&P 500 Health Care Index during such period. The Company has not paid any dividends on the Common Stock, and no dividends are included in the representation of the Company’s performance. The stock price performance on the graph above is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. The graph is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the fact that ourCompany under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing. Information used in the graph was obtained from Standards &

44


Poor’s Institutional Market Services, a source believed to be reliable, but the Company is not responsible for any errors or omissions in such information.
Our 2022 financial results were mixed but overall modestly outperformedreflect the general measuresrobust demand environment as clients have placed greater focus on whichscientific innovation and their early-stage research efforts as we emerge from the annual cash bonus is based: goals tied to Non-GAAP EPS and revenue slightly exceeded expectations, return on invested capital were slightly below our expectations, and free cash flow significantly underperformed expectations. Our other named executives received annual cash bonus amounts ranging from 95.0%-121.4% ofpandemic. We have discussed in detail in the target amount. (For a detailed discussionsection of our 2017 financial performance, the factors that we believe are influencing demand from our clients, and the actions we have taken during the past years, please see the sectionsAnnual Report on Form 10-K entitled "Our Strategy" and "Management's“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"Operation” our 2022 financial results, including the impact of the pandemic.
Many of our pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients continued to intensify their use of strategic outsourcing during 2022 to move their early-stage research programs forward in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Small and mid-size biotechnology clients continued to be the primary driver of revenue growth as these clients benefited from the biotechnology funding environment in fiscal year 2022, from capital markets, partnering with large biopharmaceutical companies, and investment by venture capital, as well as the enhanced global focus on scientific innovation and emphasized greater investment in their preclinical pipelines. Many of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filedlarge biopharmaceutical clients have continued to increase investments in their drug discovery and early-stage development efforts and have strengthened their relationships with both non-clinical drug development partners, like us, and biotechnology companies to assist them in bringing new drugs to market. Clients continue to seek to outsource larger portions of their early-stage drug research programs to us, which is leading to new business opportunities as clients adopt more flexible and efficient research and development models.
On January 27, 2022, taking into account investor feedback and information provided from our independent compensation consultant, the SEC on February 13, 2018.)

    2017Compensation Committee approved the following updates to the design of our PSUs:


eliminated the rTSR Outperformance Feature, which previously provided a modest award if both (1) EPS performance falls between 85% and 90% of the target goal, and (2) three-year rTSR performance falls at or above the 75th percentile;

adjusted the rTSR performance scale to require higher performance to achieve target performance levels (55th percentile compared to 50th percentile previously), higher performance to receive any threshold modification (30th percentile compared to 10th percentile previously), and by a downward adjustment to the performance requirement to achieve the maximum modification (75th percentile compared to 90th percentile previously); and

continued to utilize three-year rTSR, but with a revised comparator group to reflect the companies that make up the S&P 500 Healthcare group, instead of our previously custom designed healthcare comparator group.
Elements of Our Compensation Program/2022 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Charles River shareholders provided very strong majority support for our named executives'executives’ compensation at our 20172022 annual meeting of shareholders (97.6%(88% of shares voted in support of this matter; 97.8% excluding abstentions)matter). We attribute this level of support to our performance in 20162021 and the significant actions we implemented from 2012 through 2016, including significant changes toseveral long-standing characteristics of our


executive compensation program during that period, which followed a periodwe believe enhance the performance orientation of substantial outreachthe program:


Base Salaries:  We have kept base salary increases modest. While year-to-year there are individual adjustments (ranging from 3% to 6%) that may be below or above the average, in general annualized merit increases for our executives (excluding promotional increases) are consistent with the average annualized merit increases allotted to our shareholders,North American workforce.

Annual Cash Incentive Awards:  Our Compensation Program includes an annual cash bonus element that closely links a significant portion of executive pay to the achievement of short-term performance targets that are critical to meeting our stated financial objectives for the year. These targets are typically tied to specific financial metrics derived from our fiscal year operating plan.

Special Cash Award. In addition to our regular annual cash incentive award, in 2022, in accordance with the announcement of the appointment of Flavia H. Pease as follows:

    its Corporate

45


Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on March 28, 2022, Ms. Pease was granted a one-time signing bonus in the gross amount of $800,000. The initial $200,000 was paid within 30 days of her start date, with the remaining $600,000 to be paid after 12 months of employment with the Company.
Introduced
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards, including Performance Share Units and Increased the Performance Orientation of the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program:  During fiscal 2012, following a comprehensive review of our long-term equity incentive program, the Compensation Committee approved a new structure for long-term incentive awards granted beginning in fiscal 2013 that significantly increased the emphasis on performance-based equity compensation. The new structure was piloted by our executiveUnits:  Our officers in fiscal 2013, and expanded to all of our corporate officers in fiscal 2014. Under the revised structure, our officerstypically receive three types of equity awards:

awards, and where appropriate and applicable, special equity awards (such as with respect to executive transitions):

Performance Share Units (PSUs), which vest on a "cliff basis"“cliff basis” after three years, only if service and performance requirements are met and which will beare paid out in shares based upon two separate performance metrics: (1) first fiscal year non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) and (2) three-year rTSR, as further described on pages 57-6055-58 of this Proxy Statement in the discussion related to Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards. PSUs are intended to comprise approximately 60% of the intended value of long-term equity incentive awards provided to executive officers in any fiscal year.

year (with the exception of Mr. Foster, for whom the percentage is 80%).

Time-based stock options, which vest over four years. Stock options are intended to comprise approximately 20% of the intended value of long-term equity incentive awards provided to officers in any fiscal year.


Time-based restricted stock/RSUs, which vest over four years (except in limited circumstances when special awards are granted). Restricted stock/RSUs are intended to comprise approximately 20% of the intended value of long-term equity incentive awards provided to officers in any fiscal year.

year (with the exception of Mr. Foster, who does not receive any RSUs).
Elimination
Special Equity Award. In accordance with the agreement made with Mr. David R. Smith on February 16, 2022 as a result of the announcement of his retirement from the Company, and in lieu of our regular annual equity award grant in May 2022, Mr. Smith received a grant of restricted stock units on February 28, 2022 with a value of approximately $1.5 million with a 12-month vesting period, the vesting of such grant to be conditional upon Mr. Smith providing a smooth, structured handover of his responsibilities to his successor. This award vested in full as of February 28, 2023.

Special Equity Award. In addition to our regular annual equity award grant, in 2022, in accordance with the announcement of the appointment of Ms. Flavia H. Pease as our Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on March 28, 2022, Ms. Pease was granted a one-time new hire equity award. For more details regarding Ms. Pease’s special award, please see the section entitled “Executive Compensation and Related Information—2022 Grants of Plan Based Awards—Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2022”.

No 280G Excise Tax Gross-Ups.  For the limited number of our executives with whom we had change-in-controlhave change in control agreements (which included each of our executive officers)named executives), we amended these agreements to eliminatedo not provide allow for any "gross-up"“gross-up” payment by the Company of any of the excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code due to "golden parachute"“golden parachute” payments.

Reduction and Elimination of the Discretionary Allowance.  The Corporate Officer Discretionary Allowance (CODA) program, which provided specific cash allowance tiers based on an executive's officer level, was eliminated effective fiscal 2014.

Introduction of
Clawback Policy.  In February 2013, our Board of Directors amended our  Our Corporate Governance Guidelines to include a recoupment (also known as a clawback) policy. This policy applies to all of our executive officers. Under this Clawback Policy, in the event of a restatement of all or a significant portion of Charles River'sRiver’s financial statements that has been determined by the Board to be due to the gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or fraud by an executive officer, the Board has the discretion to require repayment of a portion or all of any incentive-basedincentive based compensation paid to such executive officer or former executive officer and/or effect the cancellation of any unvested incentive compensation, subject to specified criteria.


Inclusion of "double-trigger"“double-trigger” vesting in our 2016recent equity compensation plan.plans.  Our 2016 and 2018 Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at last year's annual meeting, included a "double-trigger"Plans include “double-trigger” vesting provision instead of the "single-trigger" provisionprovisions that was included in our earlier equity compensation plans. Accordingly, agreements under our 2016 Incentive Plan provide for accelerated vesting only upon both the occurrence of a change of control and a qualifying termination of employment within a reasonable period following the change in control.

        The Compensation Committee believes that these changes have been responsive to feedback from investors and enhance


Perquisites:  We offer no significant perquisites or cash equivalents.

46



Stock Ownership:  Stock ownership guideline for the performance orientation of our executive compensation program. Following further shareholder outreach in the fall of 2017, none of our shareholders advocated for any substantial changes to our executive compensation program. Notwithstanding this positive reception, the Board and Committee will continue to explore ways in which Charles River's executive compensation programs could be improved, and we remain committed to ongoing engagement with our shareholders on the various corporate governance topics that are of interest to them.

    Historical Elements of Our Compensation Practices

        Certain elements of our compensation practices reflect legacy decisions and changes that were made in prior years which were designed to ensure alignment between executive compensation and Company performance, and which continue to carry forward and have influence in our Compensation Program:

    Base Salaries:  We have keptCEO is 6 times base salary, increases modest. While year-to-year there are adjustments (ranging from 0% to 7%) that may be below or above the average, in general annualized merit increases (excluding promotional increases) are consistent with the average annualized merit increase allotted to our North American workforce.

    Annual Cash Incentive Awards:  From 2009 through 2012, with business plans having been scaled to levels below earlier high-growth years, we reduced targeted bonus payoutsand for each goal under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (EICP). We resumed non-reduced targeted payouts in 2013 following a second consecutive year of solid financial performance, and have maintained that level since.

    Perquisites:  From 2010 to 2013, we took steps to eliminate perquisites for our officers. All perquisites and cash equivalents were eliminated effective in fiscal 2014.

    Severance:  We reduced the severance plan benefits for involuntary terminations of corporateexecutive officers under our Officer Separation Plan.

is 3 times base salary.

We believe that all of these adjustments toaspects of our Program during this period wereare appropriate in light of, and consistent with, economic and market environments, our financial performance, the corporate actions taken, and executive compensation trends. Furthermore, the increasedour focus on near-term financial and operational objectives properly aligned management'salign management’s incentives with the interests of our shareholders. For example, our pay mix maintains a continued focus on variable, or "at“at risk," compensation. On average, approximately 82.4%82.2% of 20172022 target annual compensation for our named executives was based on long-term equity incentives and performance-based bonuses (88.8%(89.7% for our CEO). Furthermore, annual base salary for our named executives remains a relatively small portion (17.6%(17.8%) of our named executives'executives’ core intended compensation (11.2%(10.3% for our CEO).


Furthermore, as seen in the graph below, the alignment between executive pay and our performance is demonstrated by the close correlation from 2008 to 20172022 between (1) the total compensation paid (consistent with the Summary Compensation Table) to our CEO in those years and (2) our non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations during that period. As illustrated, compensation generally increased with strong performance and decreased when performance declined.

GRAPHIC

        A very similar alignment can be seen between our performance and the average pay (based on Summary Compensation Table disclosure) for the two other named executives (Mr. Johst and Dr. Molho) who have consistently been included in the Summary Compensation Table during the period from 2010 to 2017.


[MISSING IMAGE: bc_ceocomp-bwlr.jpg]

GRAPHIC

For purposes of these graphs, "Other"this graph, “Other” refers to the total average amounts set forth in the following columns in the Summary Compensation Table on page 64-65pages 61-62 of the Proxy Statement: (1) Change In Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings; and (2) All Other Compensation. Information with respect to 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 20162021 compensation is set forth in our 2011 (for 2008-2010), 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 20172022 Proxy Statements, respectively.

Please seeAppendix A to this Proxy Statement for reconciliation of our GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS for 2008-2017.

2008-2022.

In addition to the changesaspects of our Program summarized above and the quantified alignment between executive pay and our performance, we maintain existing compensation practices that represent strong corporate governance, including the following:


47



a cap on the annual EICP bonus opportunity and PSU payouts, even for exceptional performance;

significant stock ownership guidelines that align executives' interests with those of shareholders and which increase with the level of the executive's officer position;


rules prohibiting executives from trading derivative securities, pledging our stock, and hedging the economic risk of ownership of our stock;


an annual risk assessment of our pay practices;


an annual shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation;


a Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors; and


an independent compensation consultant.

        The changes

With respect to the Program, made during the past few years reflect our flexibilityCommittee is committed to remaining flexible in responding to changing market conditions, our business strategy and financial performance, executive compensation standards, and the opinions and suggestionsviews of our investors.

In addition to changes to the Program, in light of periodic discussions with shareholders and observation of general governance trends, we have recently made and may in the future make modifications to our corporate governance structure. For instance,

Following further shareholder outreach in December 2014, we amendedthe winter of 2022 and into the first few months of 2023, our Bylawsshareholders generally supported our executive compensation program. Notwithstanding this positive reception, the Board and Committee will continue to provide for a majority vote standard for election of directorsexplore ways in uncontested elections, and in January 2016, we amended our Bylaws to authorize the removal of directors by shareholders without cause upon an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote.

which Charles River’s executive compensation programs could be improved.

We remain committed to ongoing engagement with our shareholders on various corporate governance topics that are of interest to them. We conduct these efforts through meetings and telephone calls throughout the year with our senior management, and provide shareholders with the opportunity to cast an annual say-on-pay advisory vote on executive compensation. We have determinedcontinue to support and maintain that our shareholders should vote on a say-on-pay proposal every year, consistent with the preference expressed by our shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting. The Committee is always open to the input of our shareholders in making future compensation decisions for the named executives. At the same time, we believe that it is important to maintain consistency in our compensation philosophy and approach. While the Committee and our management team understand the impact that immediate economic conditions and our operating performance may have on our stock price, it is important to us that the elements of the Program continue to incentivize management to achieve important short- and long-term operating goals that are intended to strengthen the Company and translate ultimately into stock price appreciation for our shareholders.

Objectives of the Compensation Program

The Committee reviews and monitors the Compensation Program and compensation policies by reference to specific objectives which are established in accordance with its charter. The Committee recognizes the importance of establishing clear objectives for the Program and evaluating the relative effectiveness of current and proposed compensation policies and practices in advancing those objectives. In keeping with our philosophy that the Program should appropriately align executive compensation with both the short- and long-term performance of the Company, the Committee has determined that the Compensation Program should achieve the following objectives:


attract and retain superior talent;


support the achievement of desired levels of Company performance;


align the interests of executives with the interests of shareholders;


differentially and meritoriously reward individual and team performance; and


promote accountability.

To achieve these broader objectives, the current design of the Compensation Program has also been crafted to accomplish the following:


effectively balance fixed and at-risk compensation through a continuum of compensation elements;


differentially reward individuals based on performance, throughand contribution to the incorporationsuccess of high performing business units, through both short- and long-term elements;


48


differentially reward individuals who contribute to the success of high-performing business units;



accommodate ongoing acquisitions where the motivation and retention of talent is key to integration and business performance.

Compensation Elements

Our Compensation Program for fiscal year 20172022 consisted of the following core and supplemental elements:






Core Elements

Supplemental Elements

​ ​ ​ Supplemental Elements


Base Salary


Annual Cash Incentive Awards (EICP Plan)


Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards


Deferred Compensation Plan


Termination and Change-in-ControlChange in Control Agreements


Retirement Plans

Plan

The core elements of compensation are typically those which the Committee evaluates on an annual basis, while the supplemental elements are programs or arrangements that we have included for strategic reasons and are evaluated on a less-frequentless frequent basis by the Committee.

Annual base salary represents a relatively small portion of our named executives'executives’ target core compensation (less than 18%(approximately 17.8%). Over 82%Approximately 82.2% of 20172022 targeted annual compensation for our named executives was based on variable or "at-risk"“at risk” compensation elements, reflecting the Committee'sCommittee’s focus on ensuring that senior management is appropriately rewarded for actual performance achievements. The following table shows the 20172022 total core compensation mix, based on targeted (not actual) compensation.

2022 Targeted Compensation Mix for Named Executives(1)
Core
Compensation
Element
FosterPease(2)Smith(3)BarboGirshickLaPlumeAverage
“Fixed”
Compensation
Base
Salary
10.3%19.9%23.4%19.9%15.6%17.9%17.8%
“At-Risk”
Compensation
Elements
Annual Cash
Incentive
Awards
10.3%13.9%16.3%14.0%12.5%12.5%13.3%
Long-Term
Equity
Incentive
Awards
79.4%66.2%60.3%66.1%71.9%69.6%68.9%
(1)
2017 Targeted Compensation Mix for Named Executive Officers(1)
 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
    Core
Compensation
Element



 
Foster

 
Smith

 
Barbo

 
Johst

 
Molho

 
Average
 
  "Fixed"
Compensation
   Base
Salary(2)
    11.2%    21.8%    22.9%    16.6%    15.3%    17.6% 
  "At-Risk"   Annual Cash
Incentive
Awards
    11.2%    15.3%    16.0%    11.6%    10.7%    13.0% 
  Compensation
Elements
   Long-Term
Equity
Incentive
Awards
    77.5%    62.9%    61.1%    71.8%    74.0%    69.5% 
(1)
Due to rounding, the columns may add to more or less than 100%.

(2)
For purposes
The targeted compensation mix for Ms. Pease excludes a one-time new hire grant award on May 2, 2022 and a one-time signing bonus award, as described in the section entitled “Executive Compensation and Related Information—2022 Grants of this table, base salary is determined byPlan Based Awards—Description of Certain Awards Granted in 2022” and 2022 Summary Compensation Table, respectively.
(3)
The targeted compensation mix for Mr. Smith includes a grant of approximately $1.5 million made February 28, 2022, in lieu of annual equity and in accordance with the base salary effectiveterms of his agreement dated February 16, 2022, as described in the section entitled “Executive Compensation and Related Information—2022 Grants of April 1, 2017, assuming such salary was in effect for all of 2017.Plan Based Awards—Employment Related Agreements and Arrangements.”

As described above on pages 16-1720-21 of this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance as its independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee on matters related to 20172022 executive compensation. Pay Governance generally assists the Compensation Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities under its charter, including advising on proposed compensation packages for our senior executives, compensation program design and market practices generally, guidance on how to appropriately compensate officers, regularly attending Committee meetings and other topics as the Compensation


Committee deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee has authorized Pay Governance to interact with management on behalf of the Compensation Committee, as needed, in connection with advising the Compensation Committee and Pay Governance is included in discussions with management.Committee. With respect to fiscal year 20172022 compensation determinations, Pay Governance specifically assisted in the following:


49



evaluating and recommending adjustments to our peer group;

groups;

benchmarking and analyzing executive compensation levels and recommending pay strategies (but not necessarily specific pay levels) for 2017;2022, including providing executive compensation insights and

market trends;

performing initial and ongoing calculations related to the Performance Share UnitPSU grants to our corporate officers, including tracking and reviewing calculations of Total Shareholder Return relative to peers.

peers;


assisting with the calculations of compensation information to be included in our Proxy Statement, including requirements for new pay versus performance disclosure;

providing analyses related to the Company’s long-term incentive structure and design compared to market practice; and

providing advice with respect to the Committee’s analysis of director compensation, including competitive market data; and

providing assistance in understanding the perspective of institutional shareholder proxy advisors.
Pay Governance is directly accountable to the Compensation Committee, which has sole authority to engage, dismiss, and approve the terms of engagement of the compensation consultant. During 2017,2022, Pay Governance did not provide any other services to the Company.

Only two of the namedsenior executives of the Company (one Named Executive) are regularly involved in assisting the Committee in setting compensation parameters. In hisher role as our Corporate Executive Vice President General Counsel and& Chief AdministrativePeople Officer, Mr. JohstMs. Victoria Creamer assists the Committee by providing data to the Committee'sCommittee’s consultants, developing or modifying compensation plans and programs based on the Committee'sCommittee’s direction, making recommendations to the Committee, and otherwise supporting the Committee'sCommittee’s efforts to obtain the information and data required to make well-reasoned decisions regarding the compensation elements which comprise the Program. In his capacity as ChairmanChair, President and Chief Executive Officer, (and formerly as President), Mr. Foster regularly participates in strategic discussions with the Committee regarding the design and scope of the Program to help ensure that the compensation elements, policies, and practices underlying the Program are properly aligned with the Company'sCompany’s short-term financial and long-term strategic objectives. Mr. Foster also provides recommendations to the Committee regarding modifications that would allow the Program to function more effectively in the context of our evolving business organization, and assists the Committee in evaluating the individual performance of each executive officer (other than himself) to ensure that their respective levels of compensation take such performance into account. As a matter of process, Mr. Foster and Mr. JohstMs. Creamer frequently collaborate to analyze internal and externally-providedexternally provided compensation data and information, and to provide preliminary recommendations to the Compensation Committee during the course of the Committee's determination of annual compensation levels. Other than Messrs. Foster and Johst, none of our executive officers plays a significant, ongoing role in assisting the Committee with setting compensation parameters.

    Committee.

Total Compensation Strategy and Peer Group

The Committee strives in its methodology to provide total core compensation to our named executives that reflects an appropriate market benchmark and a select peer group of companies which are similar to the Company (the peer group). The peer group is primarily comprised of companies operating in the area of life sciences and drug discovery and development, with a particular focus on ensuring that the peer group takes into account the presence of companies, both in the greater Boston areadomestically and globally,internationally, who compete directly with the Company for scientific and management talent. We draw upon data for comparable companies from public disclosures for the companies in the peer group and from reputable ongoing compensation surveys of similarly sized companies in the industries listed above. Each year, the Committee reviews and approves the peer group as well as a target Total Compensation Strategy. The Committee does not target a specific competitive percentile for the named executives, but rather relies on a variety of factors in making pay decisions beyond market data, such as


each executive'sexecutive’s experience, performance ratings, internal equity, and strategic value of the executive'sexecutive’s position to the Company.

Fiscal Year 20172022 Compensation Analysis Methodology

For fiscal year 2017,2022, in conjunction with the changes to the peer group described below, the Committee (with the assistance of Pay Governance) utilized a regression model to analyze the competitiveness of current

50


executive compensation for each executive positon.position. Accordingly, our target Total Compensation Strategy utilizes a methodology whereby target Total Direct Compensation is evaluated against the size-appropriatesize appropriate benchmark data that factors in our Company'sCompany’s relative size compared to the size of peer group companies and that is established for each position by reference to the peer group. Total Direct Compensation in 20172022 for our named executives generally approximated the range of competitive market data suggested by the executive'sexecutive’s associated market benchmark and took into account the various qualitative factors listed above.

The peer group identified by Pay Governance and approved by the Compensation Committee consists of industry comparators, both larger and smaller in revenue size than Charles River; accordingly, Pay Governance has developed a method of adjusting proxy compensation data for the peer group using common statistical regression methods to result in a goodan appropriate correlation between the proxy data and Charles River'sRiver’s corporate revenue, such that the regressed proxy revenue is commensurate to Charles River'sRiver’s revenue. This size-adjustedsize adjusted peer group proxy data is then blended with size-appropriate,size appropriate, custom compensation survey data (with proxy data weighted 75% and survey data weighted 25% for the named executive officer benchmarks) to derive a "market“market composite benchmark"benchmark” for evaluating our executive compensation. The Committee originally adopted this "market“market composite benchmark"benchmark” methodology and a peer group that is relatively large in number of component companies, for evaluating and setting 2012 executive pay levels, in part, due to industry consolidation presenting a challenge to maintaining a consistent group of peer companies year-over-year, and has continued with its use since.

year over year.

For evaluating 20172022 compensation levels,decisions, the proxy peer group consisted of the following 37 companies:

Abbott Laboratories

C.R. Bard, Inc.*

Mettler Toledo

Albany Molecular Research Inc.

Celgene Corporation*

PAREXEL International Corporation*

Alere Inc.*

Eli Lilly and Company

PerkinElmer Inc.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals*

Endo International*

Pfizer Inc.

Allergan, Plc

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Pfizer Inc.
Agilent Technologies, Inc.*Hologic Inc.PPD, Inc.*
Amgen Inc.Icon plcQuest Diagnostics Incorporated

Amgen Inc.

Hologic Inc.

Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc.*

Baxter International Inc.*

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.

*
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

Becton, Dickinson and CompanyCompany*

Illumina, Inc.*

Steris CorporationSTERIS plc*

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.*

INC Research Holdings*

IQVIA Holdings Inc.*
Teleflex IncorporatedSyneos Health, Inc.*

Biogen Inc.*

Laboratory Corporation of America

Holdings*
Teleflex Incorporated*
Boston Scientific Corporation*Medpace Holdings, Inc.Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation*Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

    Holdings

Medtronic, Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated*

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company*Bruker Corporation*

Medtronic, Inc.

Waters Corporation*

Bruker Corporation

Merck & Co., Inc.

Waters Corporation*
Catalent, Inc.*Mettler Toledo International Inc.West Pharmaceutical Services
Eli Lilly and CompanyMyriad Genetics, Inc.*
Endo International plcPerkinElmer, Inc.*

Custom compensation survey data included information from 1521 peer group companies (noted with *), as well as from BioMarinAlkermes plc, Biomarin Pharmaceutical DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Halyard Health; Dentsply Sirona Inc.,; Horizon Pharma plc, Impax Laboratories, IMS Health Holdings Inc., Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, Medivation Inc., andTherapeutics Public Company Limited; Incyte Corporation; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Public Company Limited; Parexel International Corporation; Perrigo Company plc; PRA Health Sciences, Inc.

; Resmed Inc.; Seagan Inc.; United Therapeutics Corporation; and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

For evaluating 20182023 compensation levels, the proxy peer group will change to remove PPD, Inc. (acquired in 2022 by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.) and Endo International plc (low market capitalization), and add CatalentAvantor, Inc. and West Pharmaceutical Services, in anticipation of the expected loss, for 2019 compensation evaluation, of four peers due to mergers and acquisition activity (Alere acquired by Abbott Laboratories in October 2017; CR Bard acquired by Becton Dickinson in December 2017; and Albany Molecular and PAREXEL being taken private in 2017).

    Jazz Pharmaceuticals Public Company Limited.

Annual Base Salary

Our compensation philosophy embraces the premise that establishing base salaries at a reasonable level helps to promote retention and acts as an appropriate balance to other forms of variable or "at-risk"“at risk” compensation. We pay base salaries within a range designed to approximate the market benchmark of executives with similar responsibilities in the peer group and surveys. Actual base salaries are determined after considering the competitive data, overall competitive position as compared to our compensation philosophy, prior base salary and other compensation, the performance of the individual, any promotions or significant changes in responsibility, the Company'sCompany’s overall salary annual increase budget, and internal equity considerations. None of these considerations is given specific weight.


51


In setting base salaries for our named executives, the Committee historically has taken into account the lengthy tenure of executive officers, as well as their continued long-time superior performance, which has resulted in base salaries generally gravitating towards the top of the range approximating the targeted market benchmark.

Base salaries for our named executives for 2017 (effective2022 (approved by the Committee on January 27, 2022 but effective on April 1, 2022 for Mr. Smith and April 3, 2022 Messrs. Foster, Barbo, Girshick and LaPlume and April 25, 2022 for Ms. Pease coinciding with her start date) were as follows:
Name2022 Salary
James C. Foster$1,412,291
Flavia H. Pease$600,000
William D. Barbo$550,050
Birgit Girshick$650,000
Joseph W. LaPlume$520,000
David R. Smith(1)$580,681
(1)
Where appropriate, the amounts for Mr. Smith are converted from British Pounds (GBP) to U.S. Dollars (USD) based on the currency exchange rate as of AprilDecember 30, 2022, the last business day of our fiscal year (approximately 0.827 GBP per 1 2017 (with the exception of Mr. Barbo, whose promotion-based salary increase was effective January 1, 2017)) were as follows:

USD).
Name
 2017 Salary 

James C. Foster

 $1,194,912 

David R. Smith

 $520,502 

William D. Barbo

 $450,000 

David P. Johst

 $634,285 

Davide A. Molho

 $618,632 

    Annual Cash Incentive Awards

Our Compensation Program includes an annual cash bonus element whichthat closely links a significant portion of executive pay to the achievement of short-term performance targets that are critical to meeting our stated financial objectives for the year. These targets are typically tied to specific financial metrics derived from our fiscal year operating plan. However, where appropriate, the Committee also approves non-financial goals that are designed to focus individuals on attaining objectives which include near-term, non-financial objectives that are also critical to the achievement of long-term strategic goals and ultimately promote the positive long-term financial performance of the Company. Our annual cash incentive awards are structured to appropriately reduce or eliminate the amount of such awards if performance falls short of the established performance targets, and to appropriately increase the amount of such awards if performance exceeds established targets, subject to a maximum incentive award opportunity. It is intended that the target award, when aggregated with the base salary, will provide a competitive level of cash compensation when each named executive achieves the performance objectives established for him or her by the Committee. Actual bonus awards are determined according to each named executive'sexecutive’s performance in relation to his or her approved objectives, which are primarily based upon corporate and/or business unit performance.

To implement our annual cash incentive awards, the Committee administers the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (EICP), which applies to executive officers and other key employees of the Company. We have designed the EICP to reward executives for their contributions to the success of


the Company based on predetermined corporate/business unit, functional, and/or individual objectives. The Committee annually establishes performance objectives and corresponding performance ranges for the named executives. These performance objectives and ranges are generally developed through our annual financial planning process, whereby we assess the future operating environment and build projections of anticipated results to align the performance expectations of this plan with the overall business objectives of the Company.

Target award percentages for the named executives are 70% of base salary for Corporate Executive Vice Presidents, 80% for the Chief Operating Officer, and 100% of base salary for the Chief Executive Officer. The participant'sparticipant’s total target award opportunity percentage is divided among a variety of weighted performance objectives which may change from year to year butand historically have included a mixture of non-GAAP operating income (OI), revenue, non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS), non-GAAP free cash flow (FCF), return on net operating assets (RNOA), return on invested capital (ROIC) and other key Company performance metrics. The Committee believes that these financial metrics are very good measurements for assessing how the Company is performing from a financial standpoint. In particular, EPS is generally accepted as
Avoiding duplication of performance metrics in different compensation elements allows our executives to be accountable for a key drivervariety of shareholder return. The OI, ROIC and FCFperformance metrics measure how efficiently and effectively management deploys its capital and generates capital liquiditywhile mitigating the risk of doubly rewarding or penalizing executives for corporate usage in pursuing opportunities that enhance shareholder value. Minimum and maximum performance levels for each performance objective are incorporated into the plan. For the performance objectives assigned to each of the named executives, minimum performance levels for 2017 were set at 90% of the target performance objective, and maximum performance levels were set at 108% of the target performance objective. The maximum payout achievable in 2017 was 250% of target. similar results.

52


At the end of each fiscal year, we compare the Company'sCompany’s (and applicable business units')units’ in years when business unit performance is relevant) final performance for the fiscal year against the Company'sCompany’s (or business units'units’) targeted performance established atapproved by the beginningBoard of such fiscal year,Directors, except where an adjustment to the targeted performance is warranted due to an unanticipated intervening event which would have an unintended and significant impact on the payout (which did not occur in 2017).payout. These measurements determine the EICP payout levels for each of the performance objectives tied to corporate (or business unit) performance.levels. To determine a participant'sparticipant’s actual EICP award eachamount, the performance objective'sobjective’s payment level is multiplied by the relative weightparticipant’s target award percentage.
On January 27, 2022, the Committee approved performance objectives for senior leadership that included OI, revenue and FCF which were, in some cases, aligned to the business segments under their leadership of the Company. The applicable performance objective, andtargets were aligned to the cumulative amounts are aggregated to determineBoard of Directors’ approved operating plan of the individual's total EICP award amount.

        On December 6, 2016,Company.

Also on January 27, 2022, the Committee establishedapproved to align leadership with the 2017 EICPbroader employee experience by ensuring consistency in philosophy and implementation, while maintaining a pay for performance criteriaapproach to funding that motivates and ties to shareholder interests. Specifically, the Committee approved targets based on the following principles:

Align all executives and employees on each of the Company’s short-term incentive plans (including the EICP) to have 50% of their metrics on global Company-wide metrics (revenue and OI) in order to reinforce our commitment to be unified as a Company, with the remaining 50% aligned to the business segment metrics (revenue and OI) for the namedbusiness areas they support.

All executives as described in the table that follows below. Overall, in 2017 thereand employees share a set of common payout scales, allowing for equal payout opportunities. Minimum and maximum performance levels for 2022 EICP payouts were significantset based on a metric with minimum performance variances amonglevel set at 85% of target performance criteria.objectives for OI and FCF and 90% for revenue, and maximum performance levels set at 108% of target performance objectives for revenue, 110% for OI and 115% for FCF. The variable EICP amounts awarded to our named executives contained in the table below reflect the differenting performancemaximum payout achievable for 2022 was 200% of various business units and the degree to which specific formal objectives were achieved, consistent with our pay-for-performance executive compensation design. We believe that the variability in the magnitude of the EICP amounts awarded correlates closely with the relative performance of the officers' respective business units (as compared to the targeted performance goals), and reflects a proper use of bonus compensation to distinguish between levels of annual performance. Year-to-year, EICP awards reflect such changes as shown in the table on page 56 of this Proxy Statement.

target.

The Committee has the discretion to employ its judgment in determining individual awards, and in fact approves the entire EICP award for each named executive. In addition to the quantitative factors, final individual EICP awards for the named executives incorporate both (1) the Chief Executive Officer'sOfficer’s recommendations (other than for himself), and (2) the Committee'sCommittee’s assessment of each named executive'sexecutive’s overall individual performance and contribution. In addition, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may modify or change the EICP at any time. For 2022, the Committee did not make discretionary adjustments to EICP payouts for the named executives. With respect to the 20172022 fiscal year, the target amounts were adjusted to neutralize the impact of the acquisitions made by the Company between February and objectives were not modified. TheApril 2022. With respect to the 2022 fiscal year, the following table shows the fiscal 2017year 2022 target EICP


cash bonus, performance goals, goal attainment levels, and cash bonuses actually paid (in February 2018)2023) for each of our named executives:


53


Named Executive






Target
% (of
base
salary)








Target
EICP
Award
Amount








Actual
EICP
Award
Amount




Performance
Goal


Weighting

Target

Actual

James C. Foster

  100%$1,194,912 $1,227,700 1. EPS(1) 30% $5.10 $5.27

          2. Revenue(1)(2) 30% $1,838 million $1,853 million

          3. FCF(1)(3) 20% $275.0 million $242.1 million

          4. ROIC(4) 20% 11.8% 11.7%

David R. Smith

  70%$364,351 $361,939 1. EPS(1) 35% $5.10 $5.27

          2. Revenue(1)(2) 20% $1,838 million $1,853 million

          3. FCF(1)(3) 25% $275.0 million $242.1 million

          4. ROIC(4) 20% 11.8% 11.7%

William D. Barbo

  70%$315,000 $382,334 1. EPS(1) 20% $5.10 $5.27

          2. Revenue(1)(2) 60% $1,838 million $1,853 million

          3. WIL Integration(6) 20% 100%(6) 100%(6)

David P. Johst

  70%$444,000 $456,183 1. EPS(1) 30% $5.10 $5.27

          2. Revenue(1)(2) 30% $1,838 million $1,853 million

          3. FCF(1)(3) 20% $275.0 million $242.1 million

          4. ROIC(4) 20% 11.8% 11.7%

Davide A. Molho

  70%$433,043 $411,434 1. EPS(1) 25% $5.10 $5.27

          2. Revenue(1)(5) 35% $1,473 million $1,470 million

          3. FCF(1)(3) 20% $275.0 million $242.1 million

          4. ROIC(4) 20% 11.8% 11.7%
Named ExecutiveTarget %
(of base
salary)
Target
EICP
Award
Amount
Actual
EICP
Award
Amount
Performance
Goal
WeightingTargetActual
James C. Foster​​
100%
   
$​
1,412,291
   
$​
1,030,973
   
1.
CRL Revenue(1)
2.
CRL OI(2)
50%
50%
$4,105 million
$870.6 million
$3,976 million
$834.0 million
Flavia H. Pease(3)70%$288,822$159,430
1.
CRL Revenue(1)
2.
CRL OI(2)
3.
CRL FCF(6)
25%
50%
25%
$4,105 million
$870.6 million
$442.1 million
$3,976 million
$834.0 million
$330.0 million
William D. Barbo70%$385,035$278,303
1.
CRL Revenue(1)
2.
CRL OI(2)
70%
30%
$4,105 million
$870.6 million
$3,976 million
$834.0 million
Birgit Girshick80%$520,000$379,600
1.
CRL Revenue(1)
2.
CRL OI(2)
​​
50%
50%
$4,105 million
$870.6 million
$3,976 million
$834.0 million
Joseph W. LaPlume70%$364,000$265,720
1.
CRL Revenue(1)
2.
CRL OI(2)
​​
50%
50%
$4,105million
$870.6 million
$3,976 million
$834.0 million
David R. Smith(4)(5)70%$304,022$167,820
1.
CRL Revenue(1)
2.
CRL OI(2)
3.
CRL FCF(6)
​​​
25%
50%
25%
$4,105 million
$870.6 million
$442.1 million
$3,976 million
$834.0 million
$330.0 million
(1)

For purposes of 2017this 2022 EICP performance goal, revenue was based on the Company’s net revenue.
(2)
For purposes of 2022 EICP performance goals, consistent with the way the Company reports its non-GAAP financial results in its earnings releases, EPS (and to the extent applicable, OI)OI excluded the following items (and, for EPS, their related tax effect):items: the amortization of intangible assets, and certain other charges and adjustments related to our acquisitions;acquisition, including the gain on bargain purchases associated with acquisitions;our sale of our Avian Vaccine business; expenses associated with evaluating and integrating acquisitions and divestitures, including advisory fees and certain other transaction-related costs, as well as fair value adjustments associated with contingent consideration; charges, gains, and losses attributable to businesses or properties we plan to close, consolidate or divest;divest, severance and other costs associated with our efficiency initiatives; gain on and tax effect of the divestiture of the CDMO business; the write-off of a relocation subsidiary liability in our China research models business; a reversal of indemnification assets associated with acquisitions and corresponding interest; the write-off of deferred financing costs and fees related to debt refinancing;financing; investment gains or losses associated with our venture capital and other strategic equity investments; certain legal costs in our Microbial Solutions business related to environmental litigation and in our Safety Assessment business related to U.S. government investigations into the tax expensesnon-human primate supply chain; and adjustments related to the enactmentrecognition of U.S.deferred tax reform legislation in 2017;assets expected to be utilized as a result of changes to our international financing structure and costs related tothe revaluation of deferred tax liabilities as a U.S. government billing adjustment and related expenses.result of foreign tax legislation. The Committee determined that it was appropriate to exclude these items as they are outside our normal core operations.

(2)
(3)
Ms. Pease’s target and actual EICP amounts reflect proration aligned with her April start date.
(4)
Where appropriate, the amounts for Mr. Smith are converted from GBP to USD based on the currency exchange rate as of December 30, 2022, the last business day of our fiscal year (approximately 0.827 GBP per 1 USD).
(5)
Mr. Smith’s target and actual EICP amounts reflect proration in accordance with actual service time in accordance with the terms of his separation agreement. For more details regarding Mr. Smith’s EICP amounts, please see the section entitled “Executive Compensation and Related Information—2022 Grants of Plan Based Awards—Employment Related Agreements and Arrangements.”
(6)
For purposes of this 2017 EICP performance goal, revenue was based on the Company's net revenue excluding revenue attributable to the acquisition of Brains On-Line.

(3)
For purposes of this 20172022 EICP performance goal, FCF was based on net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures excludingand plus the cash tax impact of the CDMO divestiture.

(4)
For purposes of this 2017 EICP performance goal, percentage ROIC was based on the Company's net revenue divided by the averagedivestiture of the Company's Invested Capital calculated as of the end of fiscal year 2017 plus Invested Capital calculated as of the end of fiscal year 2016. Invested Capital is the sum of the following line items for the Company's consolidated balance sheet set forthAvian Vaccine business in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018: (1) current portion of long-term debt and capital leases; (2) long-term debt, net and capital leases; and (3) total equity.

(5)
For Dr. Molho, revenue was determined on the basis of the operating businesses over which he had responsibility, rather than on a corporate-wide basis.

(6)
For Mr. Barbo, a portion of his EICP performance goal was based on the integration of WIL Research. The Compensation Committee establishes such composite financial and non-financial goals with the intention that the target attainment level to be achieved will be 100%, and evaluates the Company's performance taking into consideration financial performance against the acquisition plan, as well as other targeted integration objectives.
2022.

For historical comparative purposes, the percentages of targeted vs. actual annual cash incentive awards for our current named executives for fiscal years 2011-20172015-2022 are shown in the table below (including actual cash award magnitude for fiscal years 2015-2017)2021-2022):

NameActual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target
2015
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2016
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2017
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2018
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2019
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2020
2021 Cash
Incentive
Award
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2021
2022 Cash
Incentive
Award
Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2022
James C. Foster156.6%152.5%102.7%188.7%141.5%108.0%$1,871,457137.2%$1,030,97373.0%
Flavia H. Pease159,43055.2%
William D. Barbo130.3%121.4%141.0%104.2%108.0%503,947134.8%278,30372.3%
Birgit Girshick168.8%129.7%108.0%579,716127.4%379,60073.0%
Joseph W. LaPlume120.6%108.0%480,025137.2%265,72073.0%
David R. Smith(1)81.4%156.7%99.3%192.5%149.9%108.0%674,799154.3%167,82055.2%

54


Name
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2011
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2012
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2013
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2014
 2015 Cash
Incentive
Award
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2015
 2016 Cash
Incentive
Award
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2016
 2017 Cash
Incentive
Award
 Actual %
of Cash
Incentive
Award vs.
Target -
2017
 

James C. Foster

  83.0%  59.0%  81.6%  154.0%  $1,747,138  156.6%  $1,760,780  152.5%  $1,227,700  102.7% 

David R. Smith

          $267,719  81.4%  $533,550  156.7%  $361,939  99.3% 

William B. Barbo

              $305,945  130.3%  $382,334  121.4% 

David P. Johst

  83.0%  59.0%  81.6%  154.0%  $649,194  156.6%  $654,263  152.5%  $456,183  102.7% 

Davide A. Molho

  80.1%  41.9%  106.9%  140.1%  $797,646  197.3%  $677,158  161.8%  $411,434  95.0% 

(1)
The amounts for Mr. Smith are converted from GBP to USD for 2021 based on the currency exchange rate as of December 24, 2021, the last trading day of 2021 fiscal year, and for 2022 based on the currency exchange rate as of December 30, 2022, the last business day of our 2022 fiscal year (approximately 0.827 GBP per 1 USD).
As we continue to emphasize the importance of making progress toward our ESG goals, beginning in 2023, our CEO, with concurrence of the Compensation Committee, is eligible to make adjustments of up to 5% to Bonus payouts for leaders, based on progress toward those goals.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards

Long-term incentive (LTI) compensation, in the form of performance share units (PSUs), stock options, and restricted stock grants or restricted stock units (RSUs), allows individuals to share in any appreciation in the value of our common stock. We design the amounts and types of long-term equity awards to reward performance and create incentives to meet long-term objectives. Because the Committee particularly values long-term shareholder value creation, we target long-term equity incentives to provide total compensation opportunities that, if achieved, would result in approximately market-competitivemarket competitive pay levels for our executives. The Committee reviews and approves long-term equity incentive awards to named executives on an annual basis. The Committee believes that PSU, stock option, and RSU awards align the recipient'srecipient’s interests with those of the shareholders.

The Committee typically targets the firstsecond quarter of our fiscal year, shortly after our annual meeting of shareholders, for granting annual stock awards to eligible recipients, absent an extraordinary event. We have made suchThe Committee believes this aligns timing of equity grants in recent years, andwith the planning of annual salary increases (also in the future it is expected that the Committee will continue to target the firstsecond quarter of theour fiscal year for making annual stock awards. year), allowing our managers to take a holistic view of total compensation.
The Committee seeks to structure equity grants so that they are awarded during an open-windowopen window period as designated by our Insider Trading Policy, or, if Committee approval is provided during a non-window period, then the grants are typically made effective on the secondfirst business day following our press release with respect to financial results for the prior quarter. This policy is intended to ensure that options are awarded at a time when the exercise price fully reflects all recently disclosed information. In the case of new hires eligible to receive equity grants, grants are generally made on the first business day of the month following the date the individual commences employment.

        While the Compensation Committee's Charter permits delegation of the Committee's authority to grant equity in certain circumstances, all

All grants to executive officers are made by the Compensation Committee itself and not pursuant to any delegated authority.
We have never had any programs, policies, or practices which are intended to time stock option grants with the release of material, non-public information in a manner whichthat would provide advantageous option exercise prices to grant recipients. Option exercise prices are, in all cases, equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.
At the beginning of fiscal year 2017,2022, as requested by the Compensation Committee, Company management, in consultation with the outside consultants,independent compensation consultant, recommended to the Committee target values of long-term equity awards that are intended to be granted in a combination of stock options, RSUs, and PSUs, based on then-current pricing models, which were utilized by the Committee to establish preliminary target values of long-term equity awards for the named executives.PSUs. In February 2017,May 2022, when the annual awards were actually granted, the Committeevalue of the approved long-term equity award is converted into a combination of stock options, RSUs, and PSUs using this valuation model, taking into account the 30-day averagecurrent appropriate pricing models (Black-Scholes for stock options and the Monte Carlo method for PSUs) and the closing stock price of our common stock, up to and includingon the date of grant.

the grant for RSUs. We use this method to align the actual granted values with the values intended during the planning process.

In determining award levels for annual equity awards to named executives, the Committee takes into account the values of awards made to similarly situated individuals in the peer group, the individual market benchmark for each executive'sexecutive’s position, our overall performance, the individual performance of the named executive in the immediately preceding year, and other similar factors. An absolute target value of long-term equity awards (determined in dollars) is approved by the Committee. This value is then allocated between the types of LTI awards the Company is awarding during that particular year. These determinations are typically evaluated during the first month of the fiscal year and approved at the Committee'sCommittee’s meeting in February. Once the intended value of the awards is determined, the numbers of long-term equity awards (in 2017, stock options, RSUs, and PSUs) are generally fixed utilizing an estimated stock price (the 30-trading-day average closing price as of the date of the grant). We use the estimated stock price methodology to guard against dramatic, short-term stock price movements that might artificially reduce or increase the number of shares granted. We believe this methodology represents the performance of stock in the market and is a better way to deliver the intended value of this form of compensation.


55


The intended value of the February 2017May 2022 grant was apportioned to the named executives as follows: approximately 60% in the form of PSUs, approximately 20% in the form of time-vested RSUs, and approximately 20% in the form of time-vested stock options, a program developed with the assistanceexception of the Committee's Compensation ConsultantChief Executive Officer, who received approximately 80% in the form of PSUs and implementedapproximately 20% in 2013.

the form of time-vested stock options, thereby further reinforcing the linkage between compensation and performance.

With our more recent equity grants, we have generally included a full career retirement provision infor equity awards that provides for the continued vesting of unvested equity grants for North American employees who retire after meeting the following specified criteria:


the employee has attained age 55;


the employee has a minimum of 10 years of service with the Company;


the numerical sum of the employee'semployee’s age and years of service is equal to at least 70; and


the employee has given notice of his or her intent to retire specifying the exact intended date of retirement and remained employed by the Company until the earlier of (a) the one-year anniversary of the date of such notice (or, in the case of Mr. Foster, the two-yearone-year anniversary of the date of his notice) or (b) the date on which the employee experienced a termination of employment due to death or disability, or is terminated by the Company without cause.

        The

Beginning in 2022, taking into account investor feedback and information provided from our independent compensation consultant, the elements of our PSU design for future grants were updated as follows:

Elimination of the rTSR Outperformance Feature, which previously provided a modest award if both (1) EPS performance fell between 85% and 90% of the target goal, and (2) three-year rTSR performance fell at or above the 75th percentile;

Adjustment of the rTSR performance scale to require higher performance to achieve target performance levels (55th percentile compared to 50th percentile previously), higher performance to receive any threshold modification (30th percentile compared to 10th percentile previously), offset by a downward adjustment to the performance requirement to achieve the maximum modification (75th percentile compared to 90th percentile previously); and

continued to utilize three-year rTSR, but with a revised comparator group to reflect the companies that make up the S&P 500 Healthcare group, instead of our previously custom designed healthcare comparator group.
As a result of the updates to our PSU design, the material features of the PSUs granted to our named executives in 20172022 are as follows:

they are measured
measurement is based on a three-year performance period running from the beginning of the fiscal year in which the award is made to the end of the third fiscal year after (and including) the year in which the award is made. For PSUs awarded in February 2017,May 2022, the performance period is January 1, 2017December 26, 2021 through December 28, 2019.

2024.

the initial PSU award (the Target Award) represents a target number of shares of the Company'sCompany’s common stock to be paid out after the conclusion of the three-year performance period based upon two performance metrics:


non-GAAP EPS for the fiscal year in which the award is made; and

relative Total Shareholder Return (rTSR)
rTSR at the end of the PSU award'saward’s three-year performance period.


target performance levels for each of the two performance metrics are as follows:


non-GAAP EPS: the Company'sCompany’s target non-GAAP EPS for the first fiscal year of the performance period.

rTSR: the Company'sCompany’s TSR falling exactly at the 50th55th percentile as compared to the TSR of selected companies within the S&P 1500 Healthcare Index (Index) (and who are in the Index for all 3 years of the performance period)TSR comparator group) over the full three-year performance period. For this purpose, TSR refers

56


to share price appreciation plus any dividends accrued during the reference period of time. Starting in 2015, Pay Governance recommended to the Committee a group of 53 steady-growth industry comparator companies within the Index, composed of direct CRO competitors and other companies with revenue growth rates falling within a range around Charles River's revenue growth rate. The Committee initially determined to use this new TSR comparator group for the 2015 PSU awards, and the same methodology for establishing the TSR comparator group for future awards. For the 20172022 PSU awards, the TSR comparator group included 45 steady-growth industry comparator companies.

the companies that make up the S&P500 Healthcare group.
On January 27, 2022, the Committee approved the following payout schedule for the 2022 PSU award grants made in May 2022:

At the end of the first fiscal year of the performance period, actual non-GAAP EPS will be measured against the target non-GAAP EPS for that fiscal year. This adjustsThe Base Award is calculated from the Target Award along a slope, ranging between a high of 150% (if non-GAAP EPS is 110% or higher than target non-GAAP EPS), or a low of zero (if non-GAAP EPS is less than 90% of target non-GAAP EPS) to establish the Base Award.

;

At the end of the third fiscal year of the performance period, rTSR performance is measured by comparing the Company'sCompany’s three-year TSR to the TSR of the selected peer companies within the S&P 1500 Healthcare Index.group. This adjusts the Base Award up to +/35% to establish the Final Award.

The PSUs also include a relative TSR Outperformance Feature that provides for a modest award (10%-30% of the Target Award) only if both (1) EPS performance falls between 85% and 90% of the target goal, and (2) three-year rTSR performance falls at or above the 75th percentile.


Under all circumstances, a non-GAAP EPS performance of below 85%90% of target in the fiscal year in which the award was granted will result in the PSU award being reduced to zero without the possibility of any upward adjustment.


The absolute maximum number of shares that can be awarded at the end of three years (taking into account all possible adjustments) is 200% of the original target number of shares.

For the 20172022 grant, at the end of the fiscal year 2017,2022, actual non-GAAP EPS was compared to target 20172022 non-GAAP EPS and the Base Award was calculated. The table below shows this calculation, as well as the adjusted minimum and maximum Final Award amounts that may result based on rTSR at the end of the three-year performance period.

2022 PSU Grant
Base Award Calculation
Future Final Award Levels (as % of Target Award)
rTSR
≤30
th percentile
rTSR =
55
th percentile
rTSR
≥75
th percentile
Target
Non-GAAP
EPS*
Actual
Non-GAAP
EPS
Actual Non-GAAP
EPS as %
of Target
Base Award
(as % of Target
Award)
Minimum
(Base Award × 65%)
Target
(Base Award × 100%)
Maximum
(Base Award × 135%)
$11.76$11.1294.6%72.5%47.1%72.5%97.9%
*

       
Future Final Award Levels (as % of Target Award)
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

2017 PSU Grant
Base Award Calculation





rTSR
£10th percentile




rTSR =
50th percentile




rTSR
³90th percentile

Target
Non-GAAP
EPS

 Actual
Non-GAAP
EPS
  Actual Non-GAAP
EPS as %
of Target
  Base Award
(as % of Target
Award)
  Minimum
(Base Award × 65%)
  Target
(Base Award × 100%)
  Maximum
(Base Award × 135%)

$5.10

 $5.27  103.3%  116.5%  75.7%  116.5%  157.3%
As the PSUs were issued in May 2022, the Company had already begun to factor the anticipated fiscal year impact of the acquisition completed between February and April 2022. Since it was assumed that the acquisition would have a positive effect on our non-GAAP EPS in 2022 to avoid an unintended windfall for recipients, the target non-GAAP EPS in the 2022 PSUs was set in accordance with the updated operating plan approved by Board in May 2022 which reflected the impact of this transaction.

In January 2018,2023, the Committee finalized the adjustmentspayout for the initial PSUs that were awarded in 20152020 to our then-executivethen executive officers. The chart below shows this calculation, as well as the adjusted


Final Award Percentage amounts that resulted based on rTSR at the end of the three-year performance period.

2020 PSU Grant Base
Award Calculation
Final Award Levels
rTSR =
64th percentile
Target
Non-GAAP
EPS
Actual
Non-GAAP
EPS
Actual Non-GAAP
EPS as %
of Target
Base Award
(as % of Target
Award) *
rTSR
Adjustment
Final Award
(as % of Target
Award)
$7.86$8.13103.4%150%114%171%

       
Final Award Levels
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

2015 PSU Grant Base
Award Calculation





rTSR =
61st percentile

Target
Non-GAAP
EPS

 Actual
Non-GAAP
EPS
  Actual Non-GAAP
EPS as %
of Target
  Base Award
(as % of Target
Award)
  rTSR
Adjustment
  Final Award Percentage
(of Target Award)

$3.65

 3.76  103.0%  115.0%  111.0%  127.7%

The named executives are eligible for certain benefits, such as medical, dental, basic life insurance, and employer contributions to the Company'sCompany’s defined contribution plans (the 401(k) plan for U.S. executives, and the Group Personal Pension Plan for Mr. Smith in the U.K.), which are generally available to all of our employees. In addition, the Company utilizes leased aircraft for business purposes on infrequent occasions where it is determined that such use is a prudent, economical, and efficient method of transportation.

57


Mr. Foster is permitted to utilize the Company-leasedCompany leased aircraft for non-business purposes, including allowing family members to accompany him on business travel. Mr. Foster reimburses the Company for the full incremental costs and/or Standard Industry Fare Level (whichever is higher) of such usage. We believe this benefit increases the level of safety and security for Mr. Foster, enables him to make more efficient use of his travel time, and entails no incremental cost to the Company for any accompanying family members.

members and/or non-business travel.

Supplemental Elements of the Compensation Program

We have a number of supplemental elements in the Compensation Program which are considered by the Committee, but do not factor directly into the annual determination of executive compensation. These elements have unique features and roles in the Program which led to their initial implementation and they continue to be important to the Program generally.

Post-Termination Benefits and Agreements

As described in more detail in this Proxy Statement under "Executive“Executive Compensation and Related Information—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control," the Compensation Program includes both (1) an Officer Separation Plan and (2) Change-in-ControlChange in Control Agreements. Historically, Company policy has been to provide eligibility under both the Officer Separation Plan to officers with the position of corporate vice president or higher, and a Change-in-ControlChange in Control Agreement to officers with the position of corporate executive vice president or higher. Both of these compensatory elements operate similarly: upon specified events which result in either the termination of the officer and/or a change in control of the Company, particular benefits will accrue to the officer (although payments made under the Change-in-ControlChange in Control Agreements will generally reduce or offset payments and benefits to which the officer may be entitled under the Officer Separation Plan). Each of the named executives is eligible to receive benefits under the Officer Separation Plan (other than Mr. Smith) and each has a Change-in-ControlChange in Control Agreement.

The Company views these compensatory elements as serving three important purposes:


there is a critical recruitment and retention aspect;


these policies protect the benefits of executive officers who have provided long and meritorious service to the Company, particularly if there is an unexpected employment termination by the Company due to on-goingongoing changes in our employment needs; and

these elements avoid personal distractions and encourage employees to remain focused on our business in the event of a rumored or actual takeover.

The Committee periodically conducts formal and informal market checks and believes that both the levels of payment to be made under these programs and the applicable triggers are appropriate and consistent with current general market practices.

Deferred Compensation Plan Contributions

As described in more detail in this Proxy Statement under "Executive“Executive Compensation and Related Information—2017 Nonqualified2022 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation,"Compensation”, the named executives in the United States receive a compensatory element in connection with our Deferred Compensation Plan. For Messrs.Mr. Foster, and Johst, who were participantswas a participant in the Company's now-discontinuedCompany’s now discontinued Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Retirement Plan (ESLIRP), the Company credits to theirhis accounts the present value of the annual Company accrual as it would have been calculated under the ESLIRP. These credits can vary significantly year-to-year as the ESLIRP formula is dependent on the average of the highest five consecutive years of compensation. When these executives incurhe incurs several consecutive years of relatively flat or decreasing executive compensation, (such as occurred between 2008-2012), the highest-five-consecutive-yearhighest five consecutive year compensation average remains relatively static and the credit is small or zero. Conversely, when there are several consecutive years of increasing compensation, the cumulative effect of those years may result in a single-yearsingle year credit spike. Such variations can be seen, for instance, in the amounts credited to Mr. Foster over the past several years:decade: $7,310 (2011), $0 (2012), $0 (2013), $0 (2014), and $360,047 (2015), $2,607,660 (2016), and $1,223,422 (2017), with increases to $2,607,660of $907,510, $2,238,068, $224,652, and $1,223,422$0 in 20162018, 2019,

58


2020, and 2017,2021 respectively, as noted under "All“All Other Compensation"Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table on pages 64-6561-62 of this Proxy Statement.

In 2022, there was no additional credit provided to Mr. Foster.

For Dr. MolhoMs. Girshick, and Messrs. Barbo and Smith,LaPlume, the Company currently provides an annual contribution to their Deferred Compensation Plan account equal to 10% of the sum of their base salary plus the lesser of (1) their target annual bonus or (2) actual annual bonus.

Beginning in 2023, Ms. Pease will be eligible to receive a similar contribution to her Deferred Compensation Plan amount.

We provide a Deferred Compensation Plan because the Company wishes to permit our executive employees to defer the obligation to pay taxes on certain elements of their compensation while also potentially receiving earnings on deferred amounts. The Deferred Compensation Plan was implemented to motivate and ensure the retention of employees by providing them greater flexibility in structuring the timing of their compensation payments. The employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan ultimately have their origins in the legacy ESLIRP program, which was a long-standing element of our executive compensation package.

    Retirement Plans

        As described in more detail in this Proxy Statement under "Executive Compensation and Related Information—2017 Pension Benefits," the Company historically provided a retirement benefit for certain U.S. employees, including certain of the named executives, until 2002, when the Company amended the existing U.S. defined benefit pension plan to exclude new participants. Effective April 30, 2008, we froze the U.S. pension plan, and no additional benefits will accrue to participants (and all participants' rights to benefits under the pension plan have fully vested)package.

Other Factors Underlying the Ongoing Implementation of the Compensation Program

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Our officer stock ownership guidelines operate as a related feature to the Compensation Program. The Board of Directors believes that senior management should have a meaningful economic stake in the Company in order to align the interests of management and our shareholders. Therefore, the


Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for senior management which are designed to satisfy an individual executive'sexecutive’s need for portfolio diversification, while maintaining management stock ownership at levels high enough to assure our shareholders of management'smanagement’s commitment to creating corporate value.

Under these guidelines, members of our senior management are required to maintain an ownership position, expressed as a multiple of salary, as follows:

CEO

CEO

Four6 times base salary

Corporate Executive Vice President

Direct reports to the CEO

Three

3 times base salary

Corporate

Senior Vice President

(not reporting to the CEO)

Two

2 times base salary

Corporate

Vice President

One

1 time base salary

        Officers

Members of senior management have four years from the time they attain the executive level listed above to comply with the ownership requirements. Stock options are not counted toward the holding requirement; however approximately 60% of unvestedrequirement. Only vested full value shares (i.e. restricted stock (units) and PSUs are generally counted towardPSUs) count towards the holding requirement. The Committee periodically reviews stock ownership levels of members of our executive management to ensure compliance. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our current named executives were in compliance with the holding requirements (and, as demonstrated in the Beneficial Ownership table on page 23-24pages 34-35 of this Proxy Statement, in many cases, far exceed the required holding).

Clawback Policy

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a recoupment (also known as clawback) policy. This policy applies to all of our executive officers. Under this Clawback Policy, in the event of a restatement of all or a significant portion of Charles River'sRiver’s financial statements that has been determined by the Board to be due to the gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or fraud by an executive officer, the Board has the discretion to require repayment of a portion or all of any annual bonus (including under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan),EICP, vested restricted stock, RSUs, performance awards, or other incentive-basedincentive based compensation (incentive compensation) paid to such executive officer or former executive officer and/or effect the cancellation of any unvested incentive compensation, subject to specified criteria. The action permitted to be taken by the Board under the Clawback Policy is in addition to any and all other rights of the Board and/or the Company under applicable law and contract. The Board intends to revise the Clawback Policy, as necessary, to comply with the final SEC and NYSE rules regarding recoupment policies of the Dodd-Frank Act.


59


Derivatives Trading; Hedging; Pledging and Insider Trading Policy

We grant equity incentives for the reasons discussed above, including aligning the interests of our employees with those of shareholders. Our Statement ofInsider Trading Policy Concerning Trading Policies (Insider Trading Policy) prohibits employees (and directors)(including our named executives) and directors from trading in our derivative securities, such as puts or calls on our common stock, or to pledge our stock, since such activities may diminish the alignment we are trying to foster, as well as expose the Company to potential embarrassment. The Insider Trading Policy also prohibits all employees (including our named executives) and directors from engaging in hedging transactions, such as purchasing prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds. Our Insider Trading Policy also prohibits the purchase or sale of Charles River securities while in possession of material, non-public information, or otherwise using such information for one'sone’s personal benefit. Our executives and directors are permitted to enter into trading plans that are intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 so that they can prudently diversify their asset portfolios and exercise their stock options prior to their scheduled expiration dates.



REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Compensation Committee, composed of independent directors, has reviewed and discussed the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) with the Company'sCompany’s management and, based on the review and discussions, recommended to Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in this Proxy Statement.

The foregoing report has been furnished by the Compensation Committee.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Mr. C. Richard Reese (Chair)
Mr. George Llado, Sr.
Mr. George E. Massaro
Mr. Richard F. Wallman

60


THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Mr. C. Richard Reese (Chair)
Dr. Deborah T. Kochevar
Mr. Jean-Paul Mangeolle
Mr. Richard F. Wallman
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION


20172022 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our current named executives (our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our three other highest-paidhighest paid executive officers) and former principal financial officer for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, December 31, 2016,25, 2021, and December 26, 2015.

2020.
Name and Principal Position(1)Year
Salary
($)
Stock
Awards

($)(2)
Option
Awards

($)(3)
Bonus ($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation

($)(4)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
($)(5)
Earnings

($)(5)
All Other
Compensation

($)(6)
Total
($)
James C. Foster
Chairman, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director
20221,399,4428,759,9952,179,88801,030,973077,57413,447,872
20211,353,8418,359,8962,062,19301,871,457058,19413,705,581
20201,354,9718,160,0302,058,39601,430,772194,061285,18113,483,411
Flavia H. Pease(7)
Corporate Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
2022403,8442,883,429828,323200,000(7)159,43009,1244,484,150
William D. Barbo
Corporate Executive Vice
President, Chief Commercial Officer
2022545,7381,467,715365,9440278,3030104,5082,762,209
2021527,1761,373,282339,8920503,9470101,9222,846,219
2020515,1261,289,517325,2810384,501095,0502,609,475
Birgit Girshick
Corporate Executive Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer
2022650,0002,412,795601,5050379,6000121,6304,165,529
2021502,3511,615,375399,8920579,716099,3403,196,674
2020475,3291,384,280349,2450352,218085,3722,646,443
Joseph LaPlume
Corporate Executive Vice President Corporate Development and Strategy
2022514,6131,628,579406,0200265,720091,0132,905,945
2021494,3236,467,972379,8920480,025095,4887,917,700
2020489,8581,423,904359,1850362,086089,8332,724,866
David R. Smith(8)
Former Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2022441,4961,500,05600167,820063,0422,172,415
2021618,1631,792,243443,4990674,799082,3243,611,028
2020599,1521,546,432390,1340463,5950114,2503,113,563
Name and Principal Position
 Year Salary
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(1)
 Option
Awards
($)(2)
 Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
 Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(5)(6)
 Total
($)
 

James C. Foster

  2017  1,184,033  6,949,917  1,754,523  1,227,700  223,247  1,236,176  12,575,597 

Chairman, President, Chief

  2016  1,143,993  5,998,210  1,511,430  1,760,780  135,777  2,624,723  13,174,913 

Executive Officer

  2015  1,115,462  6,020,131  1,502,622  1,747,138  0  371,827  10,757,180 

and Director

                         

David R. Smith

  
2017
  
511,334
  
1,263,627
  
319,012
  
361,939
  
  
146,651

(7)
 
2,602,563
 

Corporate Executive

  2016  482,021  999,635  251,905  533,550    276,977  2,544,088 

Vice President and

  2015  414,459  832,356  227,039  267,719    382,547  2,124,120 

Chief Financial Officer

                         

William D. Barbo

  
2017
  
447,746
  
1,010,955
  
255,214
  
382,334
  
60,068
  
94,111
  
2,250,428
 

Corporate Executive

  2016  384,512  719,781  181,382  305,945  37,750  69,654  1,699,024 

Vice President and Chief

                         

Commercial Officer

                         

David P. Johst

  
2017
  
628,511
  
2,338,717
  
563,575
  
456,183
  
138,409
  
484,315
  
4,609,709
 

Corporate Executive

  2016  607,257  2,020,101  483,656  654,263  84,853  798,988  4,649,118 

Vice President, General

  2015  592,112  1,827,176  429,331  649,194  0  620,752  4,118,564 

Counsel and Chief

                         

Administrative Officer

                         

Davide A. Molho

  
2017
  
613,000
  
2,527,254
  
638,025
  
411,434
  
  
111,821
  
4,301,534
 

Corporate Executive

  2016  592,271  1,999,350  503,810  677,158    111,573  3,884,161 

Vice President and

  2015  570,096  1,720,068  429,331  797,646    108,152  3,625,293 

President, Global RMS

                         

Safety Assessment &

                         

Biologics

                         

(1)

References to our named executives in this Proxy Statement reflect the self-identified preferred pronoun usage of such named executives.
(2)
These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs and PSUs granted in fiscal 2017,year 2022, fiscal 2016,year 2021, and fiscal 2015,year 2020, respectively, computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC) Topic 718. The grant date fair value of PSUs is determined consistent with the estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant date, based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a detailed description of the assumptions used for purposes of determining grant date fair value, see Note 1112 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and "Management's“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Stock-Based Compensation,"Stock Based Compensation”, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.31, 2022. The maximum potential value of the PSUs awarded in 2017,2022, based on the grant date fair value (assuming the highest level of performance achievement) is as follows: Mr. Foster, $10,391,042;$17,519,990; Ms. Pease, $2,416,884; Mr. Barbo, $2,205,622; Ms. Girshick, $3,625,537; Mr. LaPlume, $2,447,185; and Mr. Smith, $1,889,244; Mr. Barbo, $1,511,395; Mr. Johst, $3,337,664; and Dr. Molho, $3,778,488.

(2)
$0.
(3)
These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards granted in fiscal 2017,year 2022, fiscal 2016,year 2021, and fiscal 2015,year 2020, respectively, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a detailed description of the assumptions used for purposes of determining grant date fair value, see Item 8 "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Data Note 1112 to our Consolidated Financial Statements"Statements” and Item 7 "Management's“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Stock-Based Compensation,"Stock Based Compensation”, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.

(3)
31, 2022.

61


(4)
Reflects payments under our EICP plan for the respective fiscal year, which are paid the following February.

(4)
(5)
Reflects the aggregate change in actuarial present value of the named executive officers'executive’s accumulated benefits under the Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Pension Plan for Messrs. Foster, Johst and Barbo. The U.S.Plan. In October 2020, we terminated the Pension Plan present values increased in 2017 dueand settled all remaining benefits directly with vested participants through either lump sum payouts or the purchase of a group annuity contract from a qualified insurance company to the decrease in the discount rate in 2017 (3.72%) from 2016 (4.25%); this increase in present

    values was somewhat offset by a decrease in present values due to the change in the mortality improvement projection scale from the MP-2016 scale published by the Society of Actuaries in October 2016 to the MP-2017 scale, published by the Society of Actuaries in October 2017.administer all future payments. Above-market or preferential earnings are not available under our Deferred Compensation Plan, which is our only plan or arrangement pursuant to which compensation may be deferred on a basis that is not tax-qualified,tax qualified, or any of our other benefit plans.

(5)
(6)
For fiscal year 2017,2022, the amounts in this column include the following: (a) 20172022 employer contributions under our defined contribution plans (the U.S. 401(k) Plan (Mr. Foster, $10,800;$12,200; Ms. Pease, $8,308; Mr. Barbo, $12,200; Ms. Girshick, $12,200; and Mr. LaPlume, $11,785); as Mr. Smith $10,633; Mr. Barbo, $10,800; Mr. Johst, $10,800; and Dr. Molho, $10,800);reached the contribution limit under the U.K. Group Personal Pension Plan, he received the cash equivalent of Company contributions in the amount of $49,959; (b) amounts received in recognition of length of service to the Company (awards granted to our employees generally) (Mr. William Barbo, $6,610);$7,188, and Ms. Girshick, $4,264) and (c) miscellaneous personal benefits and perquisites, which (1) in the case of each case, withof Ms. Girshick, Mr. Barbo, Ms. Pease, and Mr. LaPlume, aggregates to an amount less than $10,000; (2) in the exceptioncase of Mr. Smith includes $10,440 in an aggregate amount less than $10,000. The amountsinternational tax filing consulting services and (3) in this column also include amounts credited by us to the named executives'case of Mr. Foster, includes $40,380 representing the value of pre-retirement life insurance benefit provided under the Deferred Compensation Plan accounts, as described furtherPlan; and $4,969 for home security expenses. Includes telecommuting and home office benefits in footnote (6) below.the amounts of $15,214 for Mr. Foster. On a limited number of occasions during 2017,2022, some of the named executives used tickets purchased by us to attend certain events; however, there was no incremental cost to us attributable to the named executives'executives’ use of these tickets.

(6)
Includes amounts credited to the named executives'executives’ Deferred Compensation Plan account balances (net of FICA taxes). InFor fiscal year 2017,2022 amounts credited are as follows: Mr. Foster, $1,223,422;Barbo, $81,238; Ms. Girshick, $101,811; and Mr. Smith, $88,030; Mr. Barbo, $75,269; Mr. Johst, $473,323;LaPlume, $77,314.
(7)
Ms. Pease commenced her employment with us in April 2022 and Dr. Molho, $100,661.

(7)
Includeswas not a named executive in 2020 or 2021. Ms. Pease received a one-time signing bonus in in the gross amount of $800,000. The initial $200,000 was paid within 30 days of her start date, with the remaining $600,000 to be paid after 12 months of employment with the Company.
(8)
Where appropriate, the amounts for Mr. Smith relatedin 2022 are converted from GBP to relocationUSD based on the currency exchange rate as of December 30, 2022, the last business day of our fiscal year (approximately 0.827 GBP per 1 USD). As we recognize stock award and option award expenses in 2017, consisting of (1) education tuitionUSD, there is no conversion for one of Mr. Smith's children for up to two academic years (up to a maximum of $50,000 per year), (2) international tax planning and preparation and (3) a tax gross-up amount. The aggregate cost to the Company for these relocation benefits to Mr. Smith in 2017 were $44,629, including $4,247 of tax gross-upthose amounts.


2017


62


2022 Grants of Plan-BasedPlan Based Awards

The following table sets forth the information regarding grants of plan-based awards made to our named executives during 2017.2022. There can be no assurance that the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards will ever be realized.

NameType of
Award(*)
Grant
Date
Date of
Board or
Compensation
Committee
Action to
Approve
Grant(1)
Estimated Possible
Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
Estimated Possible
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(3)
All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock or
Units
(#)(4)
All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(5)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(6)
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
James C. FosterEICP1/27/20221/27/2022$141,229$1,412,291$2,824,583
SO5/27/20221/27/202224,042244.41$2,179,888
PSU5/27/20221/27/202213,53041,63183,262$8,759,995
Flavia H. Pease (7)EICP3/4/20223/4/2022$28,882$288,822$577,644
SO5/02/20223/4/20224,649245.88$427,290
RSU5/02/20223/4/20225,185$1,274,888
SO5/27/20223/4/20224,423244.41$401,033
RSU5/27/20223/4/20221,637$400,099
PSU5/27/20223/4/20221,8665,74311,486$1,208,442
William D. Barbo . .
EICP1/27/221/27/2022$38,504$385,035$770,070
SO5/27/20221/27/20224,036244.41$365,944
RSU5/27/20221/27/20221,493$364,904
PSU5/27/20221/27/20221,7035,24110,482$1,102,811
Birgit Girshick . . . .
EICP1/27/221/27/2022$52,000$520,000$1,040,000
SO5/27/20221/27/20226,634244.41$601,505
RSU5/27/20221/27/20222,455$600,027
PSU5/27/20221/27/20222,8008,61517,230$1,812,768
Joseph LaPlume . . .
EICP1/27/221/27/2022$36,400$364,000$728,000
SO5/27/20221/27/20224,478244.41$406,020
RSU5/27/20221/27/20221,657$404,987
PSU5/27/20221/27/20221,8905,81511,630$1,223,592
David R. Smith(8) .
EICP1/27/221/27/2022$30,402$304,022$608,044
RSU2/28/20221/27/20225,152$1,500,056
(*)
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 Date of
Board or
Compensation
Committee
Action to
Approve

  
 Estimated Possible
Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)

  
 Estimated Possible
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(3)

  
 All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock

  
 All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying

  
 Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option

  
 Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option

  
 
 Name
  
 Type of
Award(*)

  
 Grant
Date

  
 Grant
(1)

  
 Threshold
($)

  
 Target
($)

  
 Maximum
($)

  
 Threshold
(#)

  
 Target
(#)

  
 Maximum
(#)

  
 or Units
(#)(4)

  
 Options
(#)(5)

  
 Awards
($/Sh)

  
 Awards
($)(6)

  

 

James C. Foster

    EICP    12/06/2016    12/06/2016    11,949    1,194,912    2,987,279                                     

      SO    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                       96,033    88.05    1,754,523  

      RSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                  19,925              1,754,396  

      PSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                   5,197    51,976    103,952                   5,195,521  

 

David R. Smith

    EICP    12/06/2016    12/06/2016    3,644    364,351    910,878                                     

      SO    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                       17,461    88.05    319,012  

      RSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                  3,623              319,005  

      PSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                   945    9,450    18,900                   944,622  

 

William D. Barbo

    EICP    12/06/2016    12/06/2016    3,150    315,000    787,500                                     

      SO    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                       13,969    88.05    255,214  

      RSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                  2,899              255,257  

      PSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                   756    7,560    15,120                   755,698  

 

David P. Johst

    EICP    12/06/2016    12/06/2016    4,440    444,000    1,109,999                                     

      SO    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                       30,847    88.05    563,575  

      RSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                  7,608              669,884  

      PSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                   1,669    16,695    33,390                   1,668,832  

 

Davide A. Molho

    EICP    12/06/2016    12/06/2016    4,330    433,043    1,082,607                                     

      SO    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                       34,922    88.05    638,025  

      RSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                                  7,246              638,010  

      PSU    02/24/2017    01/31/2017                   1,890    18,900    37,800                   1,889,244  
(*)
Types of Award:

EICP—Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

SO—Stock Option

RSU—Restricted Stock Unit

PSU—Performance Share Unit


(1)
(1)
See the section of the Proxy Statement entitled "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis—Compensation Elements—Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards” for a discussion regarding our equity award grant date practices.

(2)

Reflects the threshold amount payable (5%(10% of target for the least weighted goal), the target amount payable (100% of target for all goals), and maximum amount payable (250%(200% of target for all goals) under the EICP plan for fiscal year 2017.2022. Threshold amounts reflect minimum award opportunity under the EICP plan for the smallest weighted EICP goal for the respective named executive, although if minimum performance levels (90%(85% of performanceOperating Income target and 90% of Revenue target) are not achieved, there may be no payout. Under certain discretionary circumstances, additional amounts can be paid under the EICP plan. The potential payouts are performance-drivenperformance driven and therefore completely variable. Actual amounts paid to the named executives under the EICP plan with respect to fiscal year 20172022 are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above.

(3)

Reflects the number of PSUs payable at threshold (10%(32.5%), target (100%), and maximum (200%) levels, with fractional shares rounded down. For purposes of this table, threshold payout is considered to be the smallest non-zero payout possible given both EPS and relative TSR performance for the May 27, 2022 grants, over the course of the plan. The 2022 PSU payout threshold was increased to 32.5% from the previous 10% in 2021 due to the elimination of the EPS outperformance feature. See the description

63


of how the threshold, target, and maximum amounts payable are determined under "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements—Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards"Awards” set forth on pages 57-6055-58 of this Proxy Statement.

(4)

Reflects RSUs granted on May 27, 2022 and, with respect to Mr. Smith, February 24, 2017.

28, 2022 and Ms. Pease also on May 2, 2022.
(5)

Reflects stock options granted on February 24, 2017.

May 27, 2022 and, with respect to Ms. Pease also on May 2, 2022.
(6)

The grant date fair market value of options granted on February 24, 2017May 27, 2022 has been calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model, based on the following assumptions: an expected volatility of 24.43%33.04%, a weighted average expected life of 3.66.0 years, and a risk-free interest rate of 1.6%2.70%. The grant date fair value of restricted stock is determined from the market value of the stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of PSUs is determined consistent with the estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant date, based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

2022

All awards of stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and PSUs to our named executives were granted pursuant to our 2016Amended and Restated 2018 Incentive Plan, as amended.Plan. The vesting provisions of our PSUs are set forth above on pages 57-6055-58 of this Proxy Statement. Options vest and become exercisable in equal installments on or about the anniversary date in each of the four years following the date of grant, subject to continued employment. Restricted shares (whether in the form of restricted stock or RSUs)RSUs generally vest in installments on or about the anniversary date in each of the four years following the date of grant, subject to continued employment. The installments are generally equivalent in amount. Furthermore, 1,208 RSUs were granted to Mr. Johst on February 24, 2017, which vest in equal installments on or about the anniversary date in each of the two years following the date of grant, subject to continued employment. The exercise price of stock options is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.
In accordance with the letter agreement made with Mr. Smith on February 15, 2022, in lieu of our regular annual equity award grant in May 2022, Mr. Smith received a grant of restricted stock units on February 28, 2022 with a value of approximately $1.5 million USD with a 12-month vesting period, the vesting of such grant to be conditional upon Mr. Smith providing a smooth, structured handover of his responsibilities to his successor. This award has vested in full as of February 28, 2023.
In accordance with the offer letter in connection with the appointment of Ms. Pease as our Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Pease was granted a one-time new hire equity award with a grant date value of $1.7 million. The award was structured 25% in the form of options to purchase Company common stock; and (2) 75% in the form of RSUs, with 50% vesting at 2 years from the date of the grant and 50% vesting at 3 years from the date of the grant.
Equity awards granted to our named executives in 20172022 also include full career retirement vesting provisions, as described further on pages 58-59page 56 of this Proxy Statement. All grants of non-equity incentive plan awards have been made pursuant to our EICP plan.

Employment Related Agreements and Arrangements

As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, until 2018 we generally and historically havehad not entered into employment agreements with any of our U.S.-based corporate executive officers. The named executives, however, are beneficiaries of certain separation and change-in-control agreements, as well as defined benefit and deferred compensation arrangements, as further described below in this Proxy Statement.

        We entered into a letter agreement dated March 3, 2015 in connection with Mr. Smith's 2015 promotion to Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and his commitment to relocate from Europe to our corporate headquarters in Massachusetts. This agreement provides for the following material compensation terms:


On February 12, 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with James C. Foster, our ChairmanChair, President and Chief Executive Officer.Officer, which was subsequently amended and restated on May 18, 2021. The purpose of the agreement is to benefit from Mr. Foster'sFoster’s decades of experience and unique skill set by promoting the retention of Mr. Foster. This agreement provides for the following material compensation terms:


Mr. Foster will remain employed as the ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for a five-year period through February 12, 2023.

2026.

64



The employment agreement memorializes Mr. Foster'sFoster’s current compensation arrangements, including his base salary and target annual cash bonus.


The agreement also provides that the vesting schedule and all other terms of the outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Foster as of February 12, 2018May 18, 2021 will remain the same.


Mr. Foster is permitted to terminate his employment at any time, with or without notice, in the manner specified in the employment agreement but with the corresponding economic consequence of losing the post-retirement vesting benefits in his existing equity awards.

Prior to February 12, 2021, the Company may only terminate Mr. Foster for cause.


If Mr. Foster provides notice of the termination of his employment or if, upon or after February 12, 2021, the Company provides notice of the termination of his employment without cause, then the Company may elect to suspend Mr. Foster'sFoster’s active duties and responsibilities and, during the balance of a specified notice period, Mr. Foster will be entitled to receive only his base salary, any previously earned bonus, and the continued vesting of any previously granted equity awards. If the Company does not exercise its election right, then, during the balance of such notice period, Mr. Foster may continue to actively perform his duties under the employment agreement and will be entitled to his ordinary compensation.


In addition, if Mr. Foster provides notice of the termination of his employment upon or after February 12, 2021, any equity awards granted to him on or after February 12, 2018May 18, 2021 will continue to be outstanding and become exercisable in the same manner as if his employment had continued. If the Company provides notice of the termination of Mr. Foster'sFoster’s employment without cause, upon or after February 12, 2021, Mr. Foster will be entitled to receive such extended equity vesting for any equity awards granted to him on or after February 12, 2018,May 18, 2021, as well as the severance payable to Mr. Foster under the Company'sCompany’s existing Corporate Officer Separation Plan.


Upon the expiration of the employment term, Mr. Foster will be eligible for such extended equity vesting for any equity awards granted to him on or after February 12, 2018,May 18, 2021 but will not be entitled to any severance payments or other benefits under the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Officer Separation Plan.

Mr. Foster will be subject to post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for a period of at least one year and a perpetual confidentiality covenant.

The Company agreed to reimburse Mr. Foster for the cost of his attorneys'attorneys’ fees incurred in the negotiation of the employment agreement.


On October 26, 2020, we entered into a letter agreement with David Smith, our then Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, detailing the terms of his transfer of employment from the United States to the United Kingdom. This was memorialized with a standard U.K. Service Agreement effective December 1, 2020. On February 15, 2022, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Smith that amends our Service Agreement with him and that establishes parameters regarding a gradual and well-planned transition of his responsibilities upon his retirement from his role as Chief Financial Officer in May 2022. The 2020 letter agreement, the Service Agreement, and the 2022 letter agreement, together, provide for the following material compensation terms through February 2023, the remainder of his tenure:

Mr. Smith retained his title and continued to report to Mr. Foster, our Chief Executive Officer. Upon the appointment of his successor to Mr. Smith’s role prior to September 30, 2022, Mr. Smith’s job title changed to Senior Financial Advisor though February 28, 2023, as he transitioned his responsibilities to his successor. Throughout this transition period, Mr. Smith remained available to answer questions related to his role and to consult with his successor or our CEO about matters where Mr. Smith’s skill, expertise or insight is considered necessary.

Mr. Smith’s remuneration and benefits remained substantially unchanged, except as described below.

Annual Salary: Mr. Smith’s base compensation effective as of April 1, 2022 and through September 30, 2022 was £479,981.

Bonus: Mr. Smith’s targeted bonus (EICP) continued as 70% of gross annual base salary, subject to annual approval and/or modification by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Smith was eligible to receive a bonus of up to 70% of his base annual salary for the 2022 fiscal year, such bonus to be reduced on a pro-rata basis to reflect time worked within the fiscal year up to and including September 30, 2022.

65



Equity: In lieu of a traditional annual equity grant made in May 2022, Mr. Smith received a grant of restricted stock units on February 28, 2022 with a value of $1.5 million USD with a 12-month vesting period, the vesting of such grant to be conditional upon Mr. Smith providing a smooth, structured handover of his responsibilities to his successor. The vesting of any previously granted equity awards will be unaffected and continue through February 28, 2023, with any equity that remains unvested at that date to be forfeited. The terms and conditions of any previously granted stock award agreements will be unaffected through February 28, 2023.

Benefits: Upon Mr. Smith’s transfer he became eligible for U.K. Health and Benefits provided by our subsidiary, Charles River Discovery Research Services UK Limited, and is no longer eligible for equivalent US benefits as an employee of Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

Deferred Compensation Match—Mr. Smith received a one-time cash lump sum in the amount of $95,246 (gross) USD to compensate him for his ineligibility to receive his 2020 U.S. Deferred Compensation Plan company contribution. Mr. Smith is eligible to participate in the pension scheme applicable to employees of Charles River Discovery Research Services UK Limited.

Life Insurance: The Company continued Mr. Smith’s US life insurance coverage previously related to the US Deferred Compensation Plan.

Executive Health Care: The Company continued Mr. Smith’s eligibility for our executive health care program.

Tax Service Assistance: The Company provided Mr. Smith with origin and destination location tax preparation assistance for taxes to be filed through and including the 2025 tax year/filing.

Visa Services: Mr. Smith was provided with immigration support in obtaining the appropriate documents permitting him to conduct work from the United Kingdom prior to his transfer.

In consideration for the benefits provided under the letter agreement, Mr. Smith has agreed he is not entitled to other severance or compensation benefits.
In connection with Ms. Pease joining the Company to become our Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, we entered into an at-will employment offer letter with her that provides for the following material compensation terms:

Base Salary: Base compensation of $600,000 annually. Beginning in 2023, Ms. Pease is eligible for future salary increases based on her performance and the Company’s annual salary program design.

Bonus: Ms. Pease is eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Incentive Compensation Program, with a targeted bonus equal to 70% of her gross annual base salary for 2022, which will be pro-rated to the date of her hire.

Equity: Ms. Pease was eligible to receive annual stock awards beginning in May 2022. For 2022, Ms. Pease received an equity award with a grant value of $2,000,000, comprised of: (1) 60% Performance Share Units (PSUs); (2) 20% options to purchase Company common stock; and (3) 20% Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). Beginning in 2023, Ms. Pease is eligible to receive an annual equity award, the terms and conditions of which are commensurate with the awards typically granted to our executive officers.

One-Time New Hire Equity Award: Ms. Pease was granted a one-time new hire equity award with a grant value of $1,700,000, structured (1) 25% in the form of options to purchase Company common stock and (2) 75% in the form of RSUs.

One-Time Signing Bonus: Ms. Pease received a one-time signing bonus in the gross amount of $800,000, with the initial $200,000 paid within 30 days of her start date, and with the remaining $600,000 to be paid after 12 months of employment with the Company.

66


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2017 Year-End

2022 Year End

The following table sets forth the information regarding each outstanding unexercised or unvested equity award held by our named executive officersexecutives as of December 30, 2017.

31, 2022.
Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of
Shares or
Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
Market
Value
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(2)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)
James C. Foster017,436(3)144.672/22/2024
9,57819,155(4)179.665/29/2030
4,71714,152(5)337.995/28/2031
024,042(7)244.415/27/20329,832(8)2,142,39382,63518,006,167
Flavia H. Pease04,649(6)245.8805/02/2032
04,423(7)244.4105/27/20326,822(13)1,486,5145,7431,251,400
William D. Barbo2,7552,756(3)144.672/22/2024
1,5143,027(4)179.665/29/2030
7772,333(5)337.995/28/2031
04,036(7)244.415/27/20323,803(10)828,67410,3092,246,331
Birgit Girshick3,2050109.342/23/2023
2,9582.958(3)144.672/22/2024
3,2503,250(4)179.665/29/2030
9142,745(5)337.995/28/2031
06,634(7)244.415/27/20325,011(11)1,091,89714,5773,176,328
Joseph LaPlume6,0853,043(3)144.672/22/2024
3,3423,343(4)179.665/29/2030
8692,607(5)337.995/28/2031
04,478(7)244.415/27/20324,216(12)918,66621,6714,722,111
David R. Smith03,305(3)144.672/22/2024
1,8153,631(4)179.665/29/2030
1,0143,044(5)337.995/28/20318,000(9)1,743,2006,6141,441,191
(1)

  Option Awards  Stock Awards
 

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number of
Shares or
Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
  Market
Value
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(2)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)
 

James C. Foster

  0  20,072(3) 59.41  02/28/2021             

  0  43,154(4) 76.67  02/27/2020             

  25,123  75,371(5) 73.70  02/26/2021             

  0  96,033(6) 88.05  02/24/2022  50,155(9) 5,489,465  168,069  18,395,152 

David R. Smith

  0  17,762(7) 51.45  05/01/2021             

  0  4,316(4) 76.67  02/27/2020             

  0  2,498(8) 76.12  08/12/2020             

  0  12,562(5) 73.70  02/26/2021             

  0  17,461(6) 88.05  02/24/2022  9,404(10) 1,029,268  29,247  3,201,084 

William D. Barbo

  0  1,825(3) 59.41  02/28/2021             

  0  4,316(4) 76.67  02/27/2020             

  0  9,045(5) 73.70  02/26/2021             

  0  13,969(6) 88.05  02/24/2022  6,184(11) 676,839  22,246  2,434,825 

David P. Johst

  17,517  5,839(3) 59.41  02/28/2021             

  12,330  12,330(4) 76.67  02/27/2020             

  8,039  24,119(5) 73.70  02/26/2021             

  0  30,847(6) 88.05  02/24/2022  17,482(12) 1,913,405  53,879  5,897,057 

Davide A. Molho

  0  5,474(3) 59.41  02/28/2021             

  0  12,330(4) 76.67  02/27/2020             

  0  25,124(5) 73.70  02/26/2021             

  0  34,922(6) 88.05  02/24/2022  16,549(13) 1,811,288  58,497  6,402,497 
(1)
Calculated based on the closing price ($109.45)217.90) of our stock on December 29, 2017,31, 2022, the last trading day of the fiscal year 2017,2022, rounded to the nearest whole cent.

(2)

Represents outstanding PSUs held on December 30, 201731, 2022 that remain subject to performance and forfeiture provisions. The number represents the larger of the number of underlying PSUs (1) assuming threshold PSUs are achieved, or (2) if first fiscal year performance of the three-year award has exceeded the threshold, the next highest performance measure (target or maximum). In this chart, both 2016 and 20172021 performance exceeded the threshold and target levels and 2022 performance exceeded threshold levels, and thus the number of PSUs for both years2021 is the maximum number of such shares that can be delivered in the future and the number of PSUs for 2022 is the target number of such shares that can be delivered in the future. 2021 PSUs granted in 20162021 vest on December 29, 2018,30, 2023 and 2022 PSUs granted in 20172022 vest on December 28, 2019,2024 and will be paid out in the first calendar quarter of 20192024 and 2020,2025 respectively, as unrestricted shares of Charles River common stock after final TSR performance is assessed and payout amounts are approved by the Compensation Committee. PSUs granted in 20152020 are not included in this number since they are considered fully vested as of the end of fiscal year 2017,2022, notwithstanding the fact that final payment amounts were approved by the Compensation Committee in the first calendar quarter of 2018.

2023.
(3)

The unexercisable stock options vest on 2/28/2018.

22/2023.
(4)

One half of the unexercisable stock options vest on each of the following dates: 2/27/20185/29/2023 and 2/27/2019.

5/29/2024.
(5)

One third of the unexercisable stock options vest on each of the following dates: 2/26/2018, 2/26/20195/28/2023, 5/28/2024 and 2/26/2020.

5/28/2025.
(6)

One half of the unexercisable stock options vest on each of the following dates: 5/02/2024 and 5/02/2025.

67


(7)
One quarter of the unexercisable stock options vest on each of the following dates: 2/24/2018, 2/24/2019, 2/24/20205/27/2023, 5/27/2024, 5/27/2025 and 2/24/2021.

(7)
The unexercisable stock options vest as follows: 16,817 options on 1/01/2018 and 945 options on 5/01/2018.

(8)
One half of the unexercisable stock options vest on each of the following dates: 8/12/2018 and 8/12/2019.
27/2026.

(9)
(8)
The stock awards vest as follows: 5,0934,090 shares on 2/28/2018; 4,88922/2023; 2,871 shares on 2/27/2018; 4,8895/29/2023; and 2,871 shares on 2/27/2019; 5,120 shares on 2/26/2018; 5,119 shares on 2/26/2019; 5,120 shares on 2/26/2020; 4,981 shares vest on 2/24/2018; 4,981 shares vest on 2/24/2019; 4,981 shares vest on 2/24/2020; and 4,982 shares vest on 2/24/2021.

(10)
5/29/2024.
(9)
The stock awards vest as follows: 730775 shares on 5/01/2018; 4892/22/2023; 544 shares on 2/27/2018; 4895/29/2023; 544 shares on 2/27/2019; 7565/29/2024; 328 shares on 8/12/2018; 7575/27/2023; 328 shares on 8/12/2019; 8535/27/2024; 329 shares on 2/26/2018; 8535/27/2025; and 5,152 shares on 2/26/2019; 854 shares on 2/26/2020; 905 shares on 2/24/2018; 906 shares on 2/24/2019; 906 shares on 2/24/2020; and 906 shares on 2/24/2021.

(11)
02/28/2023.
(10)
The stock awards vest as follows: 463647 shares on 2/28/2018; 48922/2023; 454 shares on 2/27/2018; 4895/29/2023; 454 shares on 2/27/2019; 6155/29/2024; 252 shares on 2/26/2018; 6145/28/2023; 251 shares on 2/26/2019; 6155/28/2024; 252 shares on 2/26/2020; 7245/28/2025; 373 shares on 2/24/2018; 7255/27/2023; 373 shares on 2/24/2019; 7255/27/2024; 373 shares on 2/24/2020;5/27/2025; and 725374 shares on 2/24/2021.

(12)
5/27/2026.
(11)
The stock awards vest as follows: 1,482694 shares on 2/28/2018; 1,39722/2023; 487 shares on 2/27/2018; 1,3975/29/2023; 487 shares on 2/27/2019; 2,3215/29/2024; 296 shares on 2/26/2018; 1,6385/28/2023; 296 shares on 2/26/2019; 1,6395/28/2024; 296 shares on 2/26/2020; 2,2045/28/2025; 613 shares on 2/24/2018; 2,2045/27/2023; 614 shares on 2/24/2019; 1,6005/27/2024; 614 shares on 2/24/2020;5/27/2025; and 1,600614 shares on 2/24/2021.

(13)
5/27/2026.
(12)
The stock awards vest as follows: 1,389714 shares on 2/28/2018; 1,39722/2023; 501 shares on 2/27/2018; 1,3975/29/2023; 501 shares on 2/27/2019; 1,7075/29/2024; 281 shares on 2/26/2018; 1,7065/28/2023; 281 shares on 2/26/2019; 1,7075/28/2024; 281 shares on 2/26/2020; 1,8115/28/2025; 414 shares on 2/24/2018; 1,8125/27/2023; 414 shares on 2/24/2019; 1,8115/27/2024; 414 shares on 2/24/2020;5/27/2025; and 1,812415 shares on 5/27/2026.
(13)
The stock awards vest as follows: 2,592 shares on 5/2/24/2021.2024; 2,593 shares on 5/2/2025; 409 shares on 5/27/2023; 409 shares on 5/27/2024; 409 shares on 5/27/2025; and 410 shares on 5/27/2026.

We have not engaged in any option repricingsre-pricings or other material modifications to any of our named executives'executives’ outstanding equity awards during fiscal years 2015, 2016,2020, 2021, or 2017.


20172022.

2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table shows information regarding stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock awards, RSUs, and PSUs with respect to the named executives during the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.

31, 2022.
Option AwardsStock Awards
Name
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
Value Realized
on Exercise ($)(1)
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)
Value Realized
on Vesting ($)(2)
James C. Foster37,7326,133,56761,18114,039,302
Flavia H. Pease
William D. Barbo3,205354,3799,9182,279,623
Birgit Girshick10,6212,438,482
Joseph LaPlume7,152887,84310,8812,496,575
David R. Smith8,9651,308,32711,9222,740,667

 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
 Value Realized
on Exercise ($)(1)
 Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)
 Value Realized
on Vesting ($)(2)
 

James C. Foster

  85,004  2,604,056  86,308  9,002,663 

David R. Smith

  13,834  260,665  9,340  970,436 

William D. Barbo

  11,448  250,949  9,999  1,021,109 

David P. Johst

  80,609  4,482,609  26,233  2,710,754 

Davide A. Molho

  48,130  1,873,471  24,635  2,569,846 

(1)
(1)
The value realized on the exercise of stock options and the immediate sale of shares acquired upon exercise is based on the difference between the exercise price and the intraday price of our common stock at the time of exercise. In other circumstances, such as when the underlying shares are held following the exercise of the stock option, the value realized is based on the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of our common stock on the date of exercise.

(2)

The value realized on vesting of restricted stock RSUs, and PSUsRSUs is based on the closing price of our common stock on the trading date immediately preceding the date of vesting. The value realized on vesting and payout of PSUs granted on February 27, 2015May 29, 2020 is based on the closing price of our common stock on the last trading date of the fiscal year, December 29, 2017.


2017 Pension Benefits

        One of our sponsored defined benefit plans, the Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Pension Plan (Pension Plan), is a qualified, non-contributory plan that covers certain U.S. employees hired prior to January 1, 2002. Employees hired after December 31, 2001 are not eligible to participate in this Pension Plan. Each of the named executives, with the exception of Dr. Molho and Mr. Smith, are participants in the Pension Plan and has an accrued pension benefit thereunder. The Pension Plan was frozen effective April 30, 2008. No additional benefits will accrue to participants after such date. All participants' rights to benefits under this plan have vested.


        Benefits under the Pension Plan are based on the participants' highest five consecutive years of compensation and years of service as of April 30, 2008. The amount of pension payable annually at normal retirement (age 65) is equal to the greatest of: (1) 11/8% of participants' highest average five consecutive years of compensation (excluding compensation earned after April 30, 2008) multiplied by years of service earned through April 30, 2008 (up to 40 years), less the maximum offset allowance determined as of April 30, 2008 in accordance with the Code Section 401(l); (2) $180 multiplied by years of service as of April 30, 2008; and (3) $1,500. In addition, certain officers and key employees are entitled to a frozen supplemental benefit ranging in amount from $51,000-$97,000. The applicable amounts for the named executives are as follows: Mr. Foster, $73,000; and Mr. Johst, $79,000. Mr. Barbo is not entitled to a frozen supplemental benefit.

        Compensation under the Pension Plan generally would include amounts shown as salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation for the named executives (as shown on the Summary Compensation Table above) and would exclude any wages derived from stock options or severance pay. Early retirement benefits are provided to any retiring participant who has attained age 55 and completed five years of vesting service. The early retirement benefit is equal to the participant's normal retirement benefit reduced by5/9% per month for the first 60 months and5/18% for each month over 60 by which the participant's benefit commencement date precedes his or her normal retirement date. As of the end of fiscal 2017, Mr. Foster was eligible for normal retirement and Messrs. Barbo and Johst were eligible for early retirement.

        Participants' rights to benefits under this plan vest upon completion of five years of service.

        The table below sets forth information regarding the accumulated benefits of the participating named executives under our Pension Plan.

2022 ($217.90).

Name
 Plan Name Number of
Years Credited
Service (#)(1)
 Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(2)
 Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 

James C. Foster

 

Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Pension Plan

  32.6  2,164,495  0 

William D. Barbo

 

Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Pension Plan

  26.3  517,192  0 

David P. Johst

 

Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Pension Plan

  17.0  1,121,206  0 

(1)
The maximum years of credited service under our Pension Plan is 40 years. Credited service disclosed for participants in the Pension Plan is shown as of April 30, 2008, when benefits were frozen.

(2)
The present value of accumulated benefits disclosed is based on the assumptions used in our financial statement disclosures. For the Pension Plan these assumptions include a discount rate of 3.72% and the RP-2014 mortality table with mortality improvements projected generationally from 2006 using Scale MP-2017 (which reflects the mortality table published in October 2014 and the improvement scale published in October 2017 by the Society of Actuaries). The amounts reflected in this column include the frozen supplemental benefit amounts referred to in the description of the Pension Plan above. The normal form of payment under the Pension Plan is a straight-life annuity.


2017 Nonqualified2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

We maintain the Charles River Laboratories Deferred Compensation Plan (Deferred Compensation Plan) for certain eligible employees, including our named executives. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, participants may elect to defer bonus and salary amounts, and may select the investment returns to be applied to deferred amounts from among a menu of referenced mutual funds as well as an interest crediting rate.

        The plan is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Participants must specify the distribution date for deferred amounts at the time of deferral, in accordance with applicable IRS regulations. Generally, amounts may be paid in a lump sum or installments upon retirement or termination of employment, or later if the employee terminates employment after age 55 and before age 65. Amounts may also be distributed during employment, subject to a minimum deferral requirement of three years.


68


In addition to the Deferred Compensation Plan, certain of our officers and key employees also participate, or in the past participated, in our amended and restated Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Retirement Plan (ESLIRP), which is a non-funded, non-qualified arrangement. Annual benefits under this plan equal a percentage of the average of the highest five consecutive years of compensation, offset by amounts payable under our Social Security and the U.S. Pension Plan and Social Security.we had in place at that time. The age-based percentages are 46% at age 59, and up to 55% at age 62 and over. The normal retirement age is 62. Eligible spouses (married one year or longer at the executive'sexecutive’s retirement date) receive survivor benefits at a rate of 100% of the benefit paid to the executives during the first 15 years following retirement and at the rate of 50% thereafter. Executive officer participants vest as to 50% of the total benefit after five years of service, with a 10% incremental increase in vesting percentage for each year thereafter. In connection with the establishment of the Deferred Compensation Plan in 2006, current active employees who agreed to convert their accrued ESLIRP benefit to a comparable deferred compensation benefit discontinued their direct participation in the ESLIRP. Instead, the present values of the accrued benefits of ESLIRP participants were credited to their Deferred Compensation Plan accounts, and future ESLIRP accruals will now be converted to present values and credited to their Deferred Compensation Plan accounts annually. Messrs.Mr. Foster and Johst were participantswas a participant in the ESLIRP.

In addition, we provide, or provided in the past, certain active employees, including Messrs. Smith, and Barbo, and Dr. Molho,LaPlume and Ms. Girshick, an annual contribution into their Deferred Compensation Plan account of 10% of (A) the employee’s base salary plus (B) the lesser of 10% of the employee's base salary plus (1) their target annual bonus or (2) actual annual bonus. The credited amounts for Messrs. Smith, and Barbo,LaPlume and Dr. MolhoMs. Girshick vest in one-quarterone quarter increments annually over a four-year period. The credited amounts for Mr. Barbo vest immediately because once a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan reaches age 60, all contributions are non-forfeitable. The named executives become eligible for the employer contribution after they have served one full calendar year in the eligible position.

Beginning in 2023, we will provide the same annual contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan of Ms. Pease.

Separately, the Deferred Compensation Plan provides certain senior executives, including the named executives, with a pre-retirement life insurance death benefit equal to four times the sum of (1) their base annual salary plus (2) their target bonus amounts (on a net basis taking into account all other company-providedcompany provided life insurance). For total life insurance amounts potentially payable to the named executive upon their termination of employment due to death, see the section of this Proxy Statement entitled "Executive“Executive Compensation and Related Information—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control."

Control”.

The following table sets forth, for each of our named executives, information regarding their participation in our Deferred Compensation Plan during fiscal 2017.

year 2022.
Name
Executive
Contributions
in Last FY

($)
Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY

($)(1)(2)
Aggregate Earnings
in Last FY ($)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/

Distributions
($)
Aggregate Balance
at Last FYE

($)(1)
James C. Foster(7,841,125)30,149,684
Flavia H. Pease184,614584185,199
William D. Barbo89,078(170,093)889,687
Birgit Girshick83,046(211,640)1,113,694
Joseph LaPlume82,932(140,880)555,017
David R. Smith(3)(84,065)435,135

Name
 Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)
 Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(1)(2)
 Aggregate Earnings
in Last FY ($)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
 Aggregate Balance
at Last FYE
($)(1)
 

James C. Foster

  0  2,607,669  2,631,959  0  18,502,661 

David R. Smith

  0  82,936  7,770  0  90,706 

William D. Barbo

  0  61,615  39,800  0  383,780 

David P. Johst

  0  786,137  780,185  0  6,382,427 

Davide A. Molho

  91,950  99,683  154,335  0  1,058,790 

(1)
(1)
For purposes of consistency, the amounts shown in this table include only those contributions, earnings, withdrawals, and distributions that occurred during calendar year 2017.2022. Accordingly, amounts credited by us with respect to compensation earned in the last fiscal year, but which are credited in 2018,2023, have not been included in this table. However, these amounts (Mr. Foster, $1,223,422;$0; Ms. Pease, $0; Mr. Barbo, $81,238; Ms. Girshick, $101,811; Mr. LaPlume, $77,314; and Mr. Smith, $88,030; Mr. Barbo, $75,269; Mr. Johst, $473,323; and Dr. Molho, $100,661)$0) have been included in the total compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the column entitled "All“All Other Compensation."Compensation”. As further discussed in the narrative above, the amounts set forth in the column entitled "Registrant“Registrant Contributions in Last FY"FY” represent the present value of the accrued benefits, after adjustments for outstanding Medicare taxes, which were credited to the named executives'executives’ Deferred Compensation Plan account balances.


69


(2)

The amounts listed under the column "Registrant“Registrant Contributions in Last FY"FY” in this table and in prior years have been reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for previous fiscal years.


(3)
Pursuant to his agreements with the Company, following his transfer of employment from the United States to the United Kingdom in 2020, Mr. Smith became no longer eligible to receive contributions under the Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information regarding Mr. Smith’s employment related agreements with the Company, see the section titled “— Employment Related Agreements and Arrangements” on page 64 of this Proxy Statement.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The information below describes and quantifies certain compensation that would become payable under existing plans and arrangements if the named executive'sexecutive’s employment had terminated on December 30, 2017,31, 2022, given the named executive'sexecutive’s compensation and service levels as of such date and, if applicable, based on our closing stock price on that date. (Since our last trading day in fiscal 2017year 2022 was December 29, 2017,30, 2022, where applicable we have assumed a stock price of $109.45,$217.90, the closing price on that date.)date). Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amount of any benefits provided upon the events discussed below, any actual amounts paid or distributed may be different. Factors that could affect these amounts include the timing during the year of any such event, our stock price, and the named executive'sexecutive’s age. With respect to Mr. Foster, the information below does not factor the effects of his employment agreement, which was not in place as of December 29, 2017.

Disability and Life Insurance

Separate from the provisions of the Officer Separation Plan or the change in control agreements discussed below, the named executives may be entitled to disability or life insurance proceeds in the event of termination due to such events. For instance, in the event of termination of the U.S.-based named executives as a result of disability, disability insurance could provide, in line with our other employees, up to a maximum additional amount of 100% of salary for up to 2613 weeks (short-term disability) and up to 60%50% of basic monthly earnings up to $25,000 per month (long-term disability)(core long-term disability—maximum benefit of $12,500/month). In the event of termination of the named executives as a result of death, additional life insurance payments could provide a maximum additional amount to the named executives'executives’ beneficiaries as follows: Mr. Foster, $9,559,294;$11,299,000; Ms. Pease, $4,000,000; Mr. Smith, $3,539,412;$1,600,000; Mr. Barbo, $3,060,000;$3,741,000; Ms. Girshick, $4,680,000; and Mr. Johst, $4,313,141; and Dr. Molho $4,206,701LaPlume $3,536,000 (inclusive of amounts payable as a result of the pre-retirement death benefit


pursuant to our Deferred Compensation Plan). The total termination compensation described below does not include these amounts.

Severance Plans

Under our Officer Separation Plan, a corporate officer whose employment is terminated by us for reasons other than cause, voluntary resignation, disability, early or normal retirement, or death, and who has not been offered a comparable position (as defined under the Officer Separation Plan) with us, is entitled to receive a severance payment in accordance with the following table:

Years of Completed Company Service at Separation Date
​ 

Less than 2 years

2 years to 5 years

5 years or more

Level:


Amount of Base Salary Pay Continuations:
Less than 2 years2 years to 5 years5 years or more

Level:Amount of Base Salary Pay Continuations:
Executive Vice President and above

One year


One year; additional 12 months mitigated severance

Two years

Senior Vice President

Six months


One year

One year; additional 12 months mitigated

Two years
Senior Vice PresidentSix monthsOne yearOne year; additional 12 months mitigated

Vice President

Six months


Six months; additional six months mitigated severance

One year

One year

During the period in which such officer receives paid outsourcing support from us, the officer is entitled to receive the mitigated severance on a month-to-month basis (up to the maximum period set forth

70


in the table above) to the extent the officer has not accepted an offer for full-timefull time employment, advisory, consulting, or other full-time work. Corporate officers, other than Mr. Smith, will be entitled to be paid 80 hours of accrued vacation time and unused paid time off.off upon separation. In addition, the Officer Separation Plan provides corporate officers with certain benefits continuing for the length of the severance payments (primarily health and welfare benefits), as well as reimbursement for specified outplacement services. Furthermore, corporate officers who are participants in the EICP may be eligible for payouts in accordance with the terms and conditions of the EICP. Payments under the Officer Separation Plan are generally made "biweekly" (our“biweekly” ​(our normal payroll cycle), although if any of the payments or entitlements would constitute deferred compensation in accordance with Section 409A of the Code that might subject the officer to additional tax, interest, or penalties under Section 409A, then payment of such amounts will be delayed until the earlier of six months from the separation of service or the officer'sofficer’s death. In exchange for these payments, the officer must execute a release agreement satisfactory to us that includes, among other things, an agreement not to compete with us or solicit our employees for one year following the officer'sofficer’s separation. The Officer Separation Plan is not applicable to any corporate officer who has entered into a written employment agreement providing for severance payments, although it is noted that Mr. Foster'sFoster’s employment agreement incorporates provisions of the Officer Separation Plan therein. Each of the named executives is a participant in this plan.

Change in Control Agreements

We have entered into change in control agreements with each of our corporate officers with the position of corporate executive vice president or above, including each of the named executives. These


agreements provide such officer with severance and other benefits in the event his or her employment terminates under certain conditions during the term of the agreement and within one year following a "change“change in control" (ascontrol” ​(as defined in the agreements). Each agreement has a term of three years, with automatic one-year extensions thereafter. Payments made to the corporate officer under the agreement will generally offset or reduce payments and benefits to which the officer may be entitled under any other severance plan or agreement with us (including the Officer Separation Plan described above).

The agreements provide that any options to acquire our common stock awarded to the corporate officer under any stock option or other long-term incentive plan shall become fully exercisable upon the occurrence of both (1) a change in control and (2) the termination of the officer within eighteen months following such change in control. In addition, restrictions on any shares of our restricted stock, restricted stock units, and PSUs held by the corporate officer shall lapse upon such events, although with respect to PSUs, any such accelerated vesting will occur to the extent that the applicable performance conditions, as adjusted or prorated as necessary, have been satisfied as of the date of such termination of employment.

Each corporate officer covenants in his or her agreement that, in the event of a change in control during the term of the agreement, he or she will remain in our employment after the change in control until the earliest of (1) six months after the date of the change in control; (2) termination by the corporate officer of his or her employment for "good reason" (as“good reason” ​(as defined in the agreement) or by reason of death, disability, or retirement; or (3) termination of the corporate officer'sofficer’s employment by us for any reason.

If the employment of the corporate officer is terminated during the term of the agreement and on or before the first anniversary of a change in control either (1) by us other than for "cause" (as“cause” ​(as defined in the agreement), death, or disability or (2) by the corporate officer for good reason, the corporate officer will be entitled to certain severance benefits, as follows:


a lump sum cash severance payment equal to a multiple of three (Mr. Foster only) and two (all other named executives) times the sum of (1) the corporate officer's then-annualofficer’s then annual base salary, and (2) the corporate officer'sofficer’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs;


additional service credit of three years (Mr. Foster) and two years (all other named executives) for pension purposes assuming a 4% increase in compensation for each year;


continuation of group medical benefits and certain other perquisites for a period of three years (Mr. Foster only) and two years (all other named executives); and


26 weeks of outplacement services (up to $50,000), and payment of legal fees incurred in connection with any termination of employment other than a termination by us for cause.


71


If any of the payments or entitlements would constitute deferred compensation in accordance with Section 409A of the Code that might subject the named executive to additional tax, interest, or penalties under Section 409A, then payment of such amounts will be delayed until the earlier of six months from the separation of service, or the named executive'sexecutive’s death.

A "change“change in control"control” is defined in each agreement as any one of the following: (1) the closing of the sale of all or substantially all of our assets as an entirety to any person or related group of persons; (2) our merger or consolidation with or into another corporation, or the merger or consolidation of another corporation with or into us or one of our subsidiaries, such that immediately after such transaction our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction represent less than a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the entity surviving such merger or consolidation; or (3) the closing of a transaction pursuant to which beneficial ownership of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock (assuming the issuance of common stock upon conversion or exercise of all then-exercisablethen exercisable conversion or purchase rights of holders of outstanding


convertible securities, options, warrants, exchange rights, and other rights to acquire common stock) is transferred to a single person or entity, or a "group"“group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)13d5(b)(l) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of persons or entities, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions.

Under the agreement, the term "cause"“cause” is defined as: (1) the willful and continued failure of the corporate officer to perform his or her duties with us, (2) a substantial violation of our Code (and any successor policy), (3) conviction of a felony, or (4) engaging in conduct that violates the confidentiality provisions of the agreement. "Good Reason"“Good Reason” is generally defined to include: (1) situations such as the assignment to the corporate officer of duties inconsistent with his or her position or responsibility prior to the change in control, (2) a reduction in annual base salary (excluding across-the-board salary reductions affecting all senior executives), (3) failure to pay any portion of current compensation or deferred compensation when due after the expiration of a grace period (excluding across-the-board reductions or failures affecting all senior executives), (4) failure to maintain any compensation plan that is material to the corporate officer'sofficer’s total compensation, (5) failure to maintain material benefits that are substantially the same as those in effect when the change in control occurs, and (6) job relocations requiring the corporate officer to relocate more than 50 miles from the office where he or she is based.

Severance Payments Absent a Change-in-Control

Change in Control

The table below sets forth the amounts payable to each named executive in the event of terminationabsent a change in control, which is based upon the following assumptions:

Cash Severance—


Termination occurs on December 30, 201731, 2022 (last day of the fiscal year 2017)2022).


We assumed that the full year'syear’s actual bonus was already earned by the named executive and paid by us; therefore, it was not included as a part of the cash severance payment. However, in actual practice, under the EICP, employees who leave us prior to actual receipt of EICP awards forfeit the total bonus payment (except in instances of retirement, death, or disability).

Benefits Continuation—


In accordance with the Officer Separation Plan, the benefits continuation value for each named executive includes continuation of medical and dental coverage for the applicable severance period.

Equity—


In accordance with the 20072016 and 20162018 Incentive Plans, the named executives are entitled to exercise any vested stock option up to three months after termination of employment (except with respect to retirement eligible executives with respect to stock options granted in 2015 and thereafter). As described in detail on page 58-5956 of this Proxy Statement, commencing with our 2015 equity grants, we have generally included a full career retirement provision in equity awards that provide for the continued vesting of unvested equity grants for employees who retire after meeting the following specified criteria. Mr.Messrs. Foster Mr.and Barbo and Mr. Johst each are retirement eligible, and received awards in 2015 and 2016since that time that would qualify for continued post-retirement vesting.

72



In accordance with the 20072016 and 20162018 Incentive Plans, any unvested options, restricted stock/units, or PSUs after such time are forfeited (except with respect to retirement eligible executives with respect to stock options granted in 2015 and thereafter, as described above), although we note that (1) grant agreements beginning in 2020 allow for accelerated vesting of RSUs and stock options upon the death of the participant and (2) if an employee terminates due to death more than

      12 months following the date of grant of a PSU, a pro rata portion of the PSU is deemed to immediately vest. Accordingly, for purposes of this table:


PSUs granted in 2016May 2021 are included on a pro rata basis (assuming two-thirds completion and estimated payout based on estimated adjustments of (1) first-yearfirst year EPS performance and (2) rTSR performance through the end of fiscal 2017)year 2022); and


PSUs granted in 20172021 to Mr. LaPlume as part of a one-time, long-term equity award, are included on a pro rata basis (assuming one-fifth completion and estimated payout based on estimated adjustment of rTSR performance through the end of fiscal year 2022); and

PSUs granted in 2022 are included for retirement eligible executives assuming vesting at target levels, butsubject to actual financial performance and settlement after such performance has been finalized and certified; PSUs granted in 2022 are not included for the other named executives none of whose PSUs will have been deemed to have vested for purposes of this table.

Retirement Plan Benefits—


The values reflect the total vested account balance in the Deferred Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2017, and the lump sum present value of the accrued benefits under our U.S. Pension Plan as of December 31, 2017. These dates are slightly different than our 2017 fiscal year end (December 30, 2017) solely for the administrative efficiency of calculating these values.

2022.

Benefits under these plansthe Deferred Compensation Plan are currently 100% vested for Messrs.Mr. Foster and Johst,Mr. Barbo, and will automatically be paid upon any termination (disregarding any possible delay of payment as a result of compliance with Section 409A of the Code). Benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Mr. Smith, Ms. Girshick, and Mr. Barbo and Dr. MolhoLaPlume vest in one-quarterone quarter increments annually over a four-year period, but become fully vested in the event of termination due to death or disability.

Ms. Pease became eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan on January 1, 2023.

Other Benefits—


The Officer Separation Plan provides for professional outplacement services for each of the named executives. The values reflect the maximum cost of professional outplacement services equal to the lesser of: (1) 15% of the executive'sexecutive’s base salary and prior year'syear’s bonus paid, or (2)(a) $75,000 (for executive vice presidents (or higher)) or (b) $50,000 (for senior vice presidents and vice presidents).

Accrued Vacation—


In accordance with the Company'sCompany’s officer vacation practices, we have assumed that each of the named executives (other than Mr. Smith) has 80 hours of accrued and unused vacation remaining at the time of termination. For Mr. Smith, we assume there is no accrued and unused vacation time, as U.K. employees are not permitted to carry over vacation time.


    73


     
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
     




    Name




     






    Cash
    Severance








    Benefits and
    Supplemental
    Perquisites
    Continuation









    Equity Value(1)









    Retirement Plan
    Benefits











    Other(2)










    Accrued
    Vacation











    Total
     

    James C. Foster

                   

    Disability, Voluntary Termination and For Cause Termination

     $0 $0 $0 $20,667,156 $0 $45,958 $20,713,114 

    Retirement

     $0 $0 $23,923,679 $20,667,156 $0 $45,958 $44,636,793 

    Death

     $0 $0 $4,759,157 $20,667,156 $0 $45,958 $25,472,271 

    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

     $2,389,824 $47,888 $0 $20,667,156 $75,000 $45,958 $23,225,826 

    David R. Smith

                   

    Retirement, Voluntary Termination and For Cause Termination

     $0 $0 $0 $22,677 $0 $20,019 $42,696 

    Disability

     $0 $0 $0 $90,706 $0 $20,019 $110,725 

    Death

     $0 $0 $793,122 $90,706 $0 $20,019 $903,847 

    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

     $520,502 $1,743 $0 $22,677 $75,000 $20,019 $639,941 

    William D. Barbo

                   

    Voluntary Termination and For Cause Termination

     $0 $0 $0 $800,382 $0 $17,308 $817,690 

    Retirement

     $0 $0 $3,073,875 $800,382 $0 $17,308 $3,891,565 

    Disability

     $0 $0 $0 $900,981 $0 $17,308 $918,289 

    Death

     $0 $0 $571,044 $900,981 $0 $17,308 $1,489,333 

    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

     $900,000 $47,888 $0 $800,382 $75,000 $17,308 $1,840,578 

    David P. Johst

                   

    Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination and For Cause Termination

     $0 $0 $0 $7,503,664 $0 $24,396 $7,528,060 

    Retirement

     $0 $0 $7,789,370 $7,503,664 $0 $24,396 $15,317,430 

    Death

     $0 $0 $1,522,927 $7,503,664 $0 $24,396 $9,050,987 

    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

     $1,268,571 $62,678 $0 $7,503,664 $75,000 $24,396 $8,934,309 

    Davide A. Molho

                   

    Retirement, Voluntary Termination and For Cause Termination

     $0 $0 $0 $885,639 $0 $23,794 $909,433 

    Disability

     $0 $0 $0 $1,058,797 $0 $23,794 $1,082,591 

    Death

     $0 $0 $1,586,329 $1,058,797 $0 $23,794 $2,668,920 

    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

     $1,237,265 $59,192 $0 $885,639 $75,000 $23,794 $2,280,890 
    NameCash
    Severance
    Benefits and
    Supplemental
    Perquisites
    Continuation
    Equity
    Value(1)
    Retirement Plan
    Benefits
    Other(2)Accrued
    Vacation
    Total
    James C. Foster(3)
    Voluntary Termination or For Cause Termination$0$0$0$30,149,684$0$54,319$30,204,003
    Retirement$0$0$18,397,686$30,149,684$0$54,319$48,601,689
    Death$0$0$5,433,384$30,149,684$0$54,319$35,637,387
    Disability$0$0$3,449,715$30,149,684$0$54,319$33,653,718
    Involuntary Termination—Not For Cause or Good
    Reason Termination
    $2,824,583$42,140$0$30,149,684$75,000$54,319$33,145,726
    Flavia H. Pease
    Voluntary Termination, Retirement, or For Cause Termination$0$0$0$185,199$0$23,077$208,275
    Death$0$0$1,486,514$185,199$0$23,077$1,694,789
    Disability$0$0$0$185,199$0$23,077$208,275
    Involuntary Termination—Not For Cause or Good
    Reason Termination
    $600,000$3,713$0$185,199$75,000$23,077$886,988
    William D. Barbo
    Voluntary Termination or For Cause Termination$0$0$0$889,687$0$21,156$910,842
    Retirement$0$0$2,927,827$889,687$0$21,156$3,838,670
    Death$0$0$1,229,822$889,687$0$21,156$2,140,664
    Disability$0$0$426,377$889,687$0$21,156$1,337,219
    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good
    Reason Termination
    $1,100,100$24,482$0$889,687$75,000$21,156$2,110,424
    Birgit Girshick
    Voluntary Termination, Retirement, or For Cause Termination$0$0$0$1,001,551$0$25,000$1,026,551
    Death$0$0$1,566,544$1,113,694$0$25,000$2,705,238
    Disability$0$0$501,590$1,113,694$0$25,000$1,640,284
    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good
    Reason Termination
    $1,300,000$7,584$0$1,001,551$75,000$25,000$2,409,135
    Joseph LaPlume
    Voluntary Termination, Retirement, or For Cause Termination$0$0$0$447,169$0$20,000$467,169
    Death$0$0$2,842,842$555,017$0$20,000$3,417,859
    Disability$0$0$476,519$555,017$0$20,000$1,051,536
    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good
    Reason Termination
    $1,040,000$58,038$0$447,169$75,000$20,000$1,640,207
    David R. Smith(4)
    Voluntary Termination, Retirement, or For Cause Termination$0$0$0$408,820$0$0$408,820
    Death$0$0$2,269,621$435,135$0$0$2,704,756
    Disability$0$0$556,444$435,135$0$0$991,579
    Involuntary Termination—Not for Cause or Good
    Reason Termination
    $1,161,362$2,007$1,533,518$408,820$75,000$0$3,180,707
    (1)

    In these termination situations, unvested awards generally do not accelerate. Asaccelerate, although as noted above (1) grant agreements beginning in 2020 allow for accelerated vesting of RSUs and stock options upon the death of the participant and (2) in the event of death, unvested PSUs granted more than 12 months ago will be deemed to have pro rata vested. This column does not reflect the value of any vested awards from the 20152020 PSU grants. As described in detail on page 5856 of this Proxy Statement, commencing with our 2015 equity grants, we have generally included a full career retirement provision in equity awards that provide for the continued vesting of

      unvested equity grants for employees who retire after meeting the specified criteria, including a specified notice period. Each of Mr. Foster and Mr. Barbo and Mr. Johst each areis retirement eligible and received awards in 20162017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 20172022 that would qualify for continued post-retirement vesting.

    (2)

    Reflects payment for professional outplacement services.

    (3)
    Mr. Foster’s calculations omit involuntary termination without cause or good reason and assume the Company provided him with 12 months advance notice prior to termination in accordance with his employment agreement.
    (4)
    Amounts for Mr. Smith are converted from GBP to USD based on the currency exchange rate as of December 30, 2022, the last trading day of the Company’s fiscal year.

    74


    Severance Payments Following a Change in Control

    The table below sets forth the amounts payable to each named executive in the event of terminationfollowing a change in control, which is based upon the following assumptions:

    Cash Severance—

      Severance —

    A change in control is assumed to have occurred on December 30, 201731, 2022 (last day of the fiscal year 2017)2022). However, no change in control actually occurred on the aforementioned date.


    Termination occurs on December 30, 201731, 2022 (last day of the fiscal year 2017)2022).


    We assumed that the full year'syear’s actual bonus was already earned by the named executive and paid by us; therefore, it was not included as a part of the cash severance payment. However, in actual practice, under the EICP plan, employees who leave us prior to actual receipt of EICP awards forfeit the total bonus payment (except in instances of retirement, death, or disability).


    For purposes of determining the amount of the lump-sumlump sum cash severance payment equal to a multiple of three (Mr. Foster only) or two (Messrs.(Ms. Girshick and Ms. Pease and Messrs. Smith, Barbo Johst, and Molho)LaPlume) times the sum of (1) the corporate officer's then-annualofficer’s then annual base salary and (2) the corporate officer'sofficer’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, we have assumed that the target bonus is the target bonus for fiscal 2017,year 2022, as discussed in more detail in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements—Annual Cash Incentive Awards."

    Awards”.

    Benefits Continuation—

      Continuation —

    The benefits continuation value for each named executive includes 24-month (Mr.(Ms. Girshick and Ms. Pease and Messrs. Smith, Mr. Barbo Mr. Johst, and Dr. Molho),LaPlume) or 36-month (Mr. Foster) continuation of medical, dental, basic life/AD&D, long-term disability, and other welfare-typewelfare type benefits at the time of termination.

    Equity—

    Equity —

    As of December 30, 2016,29, 2017, the change-in-controlchange in control agreements provide for full acceleration of all unvested equity awards if the named executive is terminated within eighteen months of the change in control. In addition, in accordance with the 2007 Incentive Plan, as amended, all equity awards accelerate and vest immediately upon a change in control. The values below reflect the in-the-moneyin the money value of all unvested stock options and the value of all unvested restricted stock and unvested PSUs (PSUs granted in 20172022 calculated at target amounts andamounts; PSUs granted in 2016May 2021 calculated at base amounts (i.e., target amounts X EPS Payout Percentage)); and PSUs granted in 2021 to Mr. LaPlume as part of a one-time, long-term equity award are calculated at estimated payout based on estimated adjustment of rTSR performance through the end of fiscal year 2022).

    Retirement Plan Benefits—

      Benefits —

    In addition to the triggered benefits described above, the values reflect the total account balance of the Deferred Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2017, and the lump-sum present value of the accrued benefits under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2017. These dates are slightly different than our 2017 fiscal year end (December 30, 2017) solely for administrative efficiency of calculated these values.

    2022.
    Under the Pension Plan, no additional compensation for additional years' service credit has been added since the Pension Plan was frozen in 2008.


        Benefits under these plansthis plan are vested and will automatically be paid upon any termination (disregarding any possible delay of payment as a result of compliance with Section 409A of the Code).

      Accrued Vacation—

        Vacation —

      In accordance with the Company'sCompany’s officer vacation practices, we have assumed that each of the named executives (other than Mr. Smith) has 80 hours of accrued and unused vacation remaining at the time of termination. For Mr. Smith, we assume there is no accrued and unused vacation time, as U.K. employees are not permitted to carry over vacation time.

      75


       
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
       

      Name




      Cash
      Severance






      Benefits and
      Supplemental
      Perquisites
      Continuation






      Equity
      Value(1)




      Retirement Plan
      Benefits



      Other(2)



      Accrued
      Vacation



      Total
       

      James C. Foster

                     

      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination

       $0 $0 $25,345,456 $20,667,156 $0 $45,958 $46,058,570 

      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

       $7,169,471 $278,650 $25,345,456 $20,667,156 $50,000 $45,958 $53,556,691 

      David R. Smith

                     

      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination

       $0 $0 $5,307,546 $90,706 $0 $20,019 $5,418,271 

      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

       $1,769,706 $17,580 $5,307,546 $90,706 $50,000 $20,019 $7,255,557 

      William D. Barbo

                     

      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination

       $0 $0 $3,199,023 $900,981 $0 $17,308 $4,117,312 

      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

       $1,530,000 $55,782 $3,199,023 $900,981 $25,000 $17,308 $5,728,094 

      David P. Johst

                     

      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination

       $0 $0 $8,198,912 $7,503,664 $0 $24,396 $15,726,972 

      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

       $2,156,570 $89,226 $8,198,912 $7,503,664 $50,000 $24,396 $18,022,768 

      Davide A. Molho

                     

      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination

       $0 $0 $8,536,267 $1,058,797 $0 $23,794 $9,618,858 

      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

       $2,103,350 $80,504 $8,536,267 $1,058,797 $50,000 $23,794 $11,852,712 
      NameCash
      Severance
      Benefits and
      Supplemental
      Perquisites
      Continuation
      Equity
      Value(1)
      Retirement Plan
      Benefits
      Other(2)Accrued
      Vacation
      Total
      James C. Foster
      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination$0$0$19,611,475$30,149,684$0$54,319$49,815,478
      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination$8,473,748$277,731$19,611,475$30,149,684$50,000$54,319$58,616,957
      Flavia H. Pease
      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination$0$0$2,737,914$185,199$0$23,077$2,946,189
      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination$2,040,000$20,466$2,737,914$185,199$50,000$23,077$5,056,655
      William D. Barbo
      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination$0$0$3,077,849$889,687$0$21,156$3,988,691
      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination$1,870,170$68,210$3,077,849$889,687$50,000$21,156$5,977,071
      Birgit Girshick
      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination$0$0$4,238,870$1,113,694$0$25,000$5,377,564
      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination$2,340,000$24,756$4,238,870$1,113,694$50,000$25,000$7,792,320
      Joseph LaPlume
      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination$0$0$4,894,274$555,017$0$20,000$5,469,290
      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination$1,768,000$68,832$4,894,274$555,017$50,000$20,000$7,356,122
      David R. Smith(3)
      Death, Disability, Retirement, Voluntary Termination, and For Cause Termination$0$0$3,154,526$435,135$0$0$3,589,661
      Involuntary Termination Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination$1,974,315$4,150$3,154,526$435,135$50,000$0$5,618,126
      (1)

      Equity value following a change in control reflects the value of all unvested stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, and performance awards, assuming that all options, restricted stock, RSUs, and performance awards outstanding as of the date of the change in control accelerate and, in the case of options, become fully exercisable (using our closing stock price on our last trading day of our fiscal year, December 29, 201730, 2022, of $109.45)$217.90).

      (2)

      Reflects maximum payment for professional outplacement services.

      2017

      (3)
      Amounts for Mr. Smith are converted from GBP to USD based on the currency exchange rate as of December 30, 2022, the last trading day of the Company’s fiscal year.
      2022 Pay Ratio Disclosure

      Pay Ratio

      In accordance with the requirements of Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K (which we collectively refer to as the Pay Ratio Rule), we are providing the following estimated information for 2017:

        2022:

      the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees (except our Chief Executive Officer) was $42,040;

      $50,826;

      the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive officer was $12,575,597;$13,447,872; and


      the ratio of these two amounts was 299265 to 1. We believe that this ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Pay Ratio Rule.

      SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to apply various methodologies and apply various assumptions and, as a result, the pay ratio reported by us may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported by other companies.


      76


      Methodology for Identifying Our "Median Employee"

      “Median Employee”

      Employee Population

      To identify the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees (other than our Chief Executive Officer), we first identified our total employee population from which we determined our "median“median employee." We determined that, as of November 1, 2017,2022, our employee population consisted of approximately 11,73022,031 individuals (of which approximately 45%11,186 were located in the United States and 55%10,845 were located in jurisdictions outside the United States)(consistent with our disclosure in Item 1,Business, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018). Our employee population consisted of our global workforce of full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees, as described in more detail below.

      We selected November 1, 2017,2022, which is within the last three months of 2017,2022, as the date upon which we would identify the "median employee,"“median employee” to allow sufficient time to identify the median employee given the global scope of our operations. As we are a non-retail, non-seasonal business and do not employ a large, seasonal, temporary workforce in the month of December, we believe this methodology resulted in a median employee who is representative of our workforce throughout the course of the year.

      Adjustments to our Employee Population

      As permitted by the Pay Ratio Rule, we adjusted our total employee population (as described above) for purposes of identifying our "median employee"“median employee” by excluding approximately 550941 of our employees located in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States given the relatively small number of employees in those jurisdictions, as follows: 323 employees from Australia; 1895 employees from Belgium; 1128 employees from Brazil; 1162 employees from Denmark; 153 employees from Finland; 3647 employees from India; 2 employees from Israel; 195286 employees from Italy; 1 employee7 employees from Japan; 2 employees from Mexico; 1 employee from Philippines; 1 employee2 employees from Poland; 2842 employees from Singapore; 2142 employees from South Korea; 114200 employees from Spain; and 32 employees from Sweden. After this adjustment, the total employee population consisted of approximately 11,180 employees.

      Sweden; and 7 employees from Switzerland. We also excluded approximately 70222 employees of Brains On-Line,from Explora BioLabs, which we acquired in August 2017.

      April 2022.

      After taking into account the above describedabove-described adjustments to our employee population as permitted by the Pay Ratio Rule, our total adjusted employee population for purposes of determining our "median employee"“median employee” consisted of approximately 11,11020,868 individuals.


      Our estimation method for identifying our "median employee"“median employee” from our total adjusted employee population was the calculation and comparison of the budgeted, annualized, total target cash compensation (BATTCC) of our employees as reflected in our global human capital management system. This method involves annualizing the compensation of employees who were hired in 20172022 but did not work for us for the entire fiscal year, and further, converting the BATTCC of non-US employees to U.S. dollarsUSD using global currency exchange rates as of November 1, 2017.2022. We identified our "median employee"“median employee” using this compensation measure, which was consistently applied to all our employees included in the calculation. We did not apply any cost-of-living adjustments in identifying our "median employee"“median employee”.

      Our Median Employee

      Using the methodologies described above, we determined that our "median employee"“median employee” was a full-time, hourly employee located in the United States,Canada, with a BATTCC for the 12-month period ending December 31, 20172022 in the amount of $40,611.

      Determination of Annual Total Compensation of our "Median Employee"“Median Employee” and our CEO

      Once we identified our "median employee"“median employee”, we then calculated such employee'semployee’s annual total compensation for 20172022 using the same methodology we used for purposes of determining the annual total compensation of our named officers for 20172022 (as set forth in the 20172022 Summary Compensation Table on page 64-65pages 61-62 of this Proxy Statement).


      77


      Our CEO'sCEO’s annual total compensation for 20172022 for purposes of the Pay Ratio Rule is equal to the amount reported in the "Total"“Total” column in the 20172022 Summary Compensation Table.

      Table found on pages 61-62 of this Proxy Statement.

      Pay versus Performance
      Pursuant to SEC rules, the Pay versus Performance disclosure below details compensation for the Company’s CEO and average compensation for the other named executives, both as reported in the Summary Compensation Table and with certain adjustments to reflect compensation actually paid to such individuals in each of the Company’s fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020. The disclosure also provides information on the Company’s TSR, as well as that of the S&P 500 Healthcare Index, on a cumulative basis over the same three fiscal years. The Company’s Net Income is shown for the past three fiscal years, as well as non-GAAP EPS which we consider another important performance measure. A detailed discussion of the Compensation Committee’s decisions regarding the compensation awarded to the named executives for 2022 can be found in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”. Please see Appendix A to this Proxy Statement for reconciliation of our GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS for 2008-2022.
      YearSummary
      Compensation
      Table Total
      for CEO ($)
      Compensation
      Actually Paid
      to CEO ($)(1)
      Average
      Summary
      Compensation
      Table Total
      for Other
      Named
      Executives
      ($) (2)
      Average
      Compensation
      Actually paid
      to Other
      Named
      Executives
      ($) (1)
      Value of Initial Fixed $100
      Investment Based on (3)
      Net Income
      ($)
      Non-
      GAAP
      EPS ($)
      Total
      Shareholder
      Return ($)
      Peer Group
      Total
      Shareholder
      Return ($)
      202213,447,872(11,539,600)3,298,049(397,971)143140486,226,00011.12
      202113,705,58043,168,6114,392,9069,206,989243141390,982,00010.32
      202013,483,41150,018,8182,773,5878,856,107166111364,304,0008.13
      (1)
      SEC rules specify adjustments from the Summary Compensation Table totals to calculate compensation actually paid to the CEO and other named executives. These adjustments are detailed in the table below titled “Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation Actually Paid” but do not necessarily reflect cash or equity value transferred to the executive outright.
      (2)
      For 2020, 2021 and 2022, our named executives were: Mr. Foster, Mr. Smith, Mr. Barbo, Ms. Girshick and Mr. LaPlume. Ms. Pease became a named executive in 2022 when she assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer.
      (3)
      TSR was measured for 2020 for the period from December 27, 2019 to December 24, 2020, for 2021 for the period from December 27, 2019 to December 23, 2021, and for 2022 for the period from December 27, 2019 to December 30, 2022. The peer group is the S&P 500 Healthcare Index.
      Reconciliation of Summary Compensation Table Total to Compensation Actually Paid
      The table below details the adjustments made to the total compensation paid as disclosed in the Summary Compensation to arrive at the compensation actually paid for our CEO and the average for our other named executives:

      78


      YearExecutive(s)SCT TotalDeduct
      Current
      Year Equity
      Grants(1)
      Deduct
      Change in
      Value of
      Pension or
      Non-qualified
      Deferred
      Compensation
      Earnings
      from SCT(1)
      Add
      Pension
      Value
      Attributable
      Current
      Year’s
      Service
      Add Year
      End Fair
      Value of
      Equity
      Awards
      Granted in
      Current
      Year(2)
      Add Change
      in Value of
      Prior Years’
      Grants that
      Remained
      Unvested at
      Year End(3)
      Add Change
      in Value of
      Prior Years’
      Grants that
      Vested in
      Current
      Year(4)
      Compensation
      Actually
      Paid
      2022CEO13,447,87210,939,883989,7467,459,567(10,070,482)(12,426,419)(11,539,600)
      Other Named
      Executives
      3,298,0492,418,8731,848,071(1,380,356)(1,744,862)(397,971)
      2021CEO13,705,58010,422,089823,14515,460,35513,268,84910,332,77143,168,611
      Other Named
      Executives
      4,392,9063,203,0123,965,6952,276,9851,774,4159,206,989
      2020CEO13,483,41110,218,426194,061719,23019,616,10615,605,43211,007,12650,018,818
      Other Named
      Executives
      2,773,5871,766,9953,392,0362,649,8681,807,6118,856,107
      (1)
      These amounts were reported in the Stock Awards, Option Awards and Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings columns of our Summary Compensation Table included in our Proxy Statement in each respective year.
      (2)
      These values are calculated by valuing RSUs granted in the respective year with the stock price on the final trading day of that fiscal year, valuing PSUs granted in the respective year with the Monte Carlo value on the final trading day of that fiscal year plus the impact of EPS performance in the first year of the performance period and valuing options granted in the respective year with the Black-Scholes value on the final trading day of that fiscal year.
      (3)
      For any portion of a grant made prior to the respective year that remained unvested throughout that year, the value at the end of that year is compared to the value at the end of the prior year using the methodology described in footnote 2.
      (4)
      For any portion of a grant made prior to the respective year that vested in that year, the value of the vested portion as of the vest date is compared to the value at the end of the prior year using the methodology described in footnote 2.
      The three measures listed below are the most important for determining compensation for our named executives. Revenue and Non-GAAP Operating Income are the main components of EICP (short-term incentive), and Non-GAAP EPS determines baseline performance of PSUs granted to our named executives (long-term incentive). For more details on the elements of our compensation program, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Elements” on pages 49-58 of this Proxy Statement.
      Most Important
      Performance Measures
      Revenue
      Non-GAAP EPS
      Non-GAAP Operating Income

      79


      The values calculated for “compensation actually paid” to our CEO and other named executives show alignment between value being delivered through compensation and our most important performance measures. The charts below show the Company’s TSR compared to compensation actually paid, as well as the peer group TSR.
      [MISSING IMAGE: bc_tsr-bw.jpg]
      [MISSING IMAGE: lc_crltsr-bw.jpg]

      80


      Non-GAAP EPS is a component of long-term incentive design for our named executives. The relationship between compensation actually paid and non-GAAP EPS is shown below.
      [MISSING IMAGE: bc_nongappeps-bw.jpg]
      The relationship between compensation actually paid and Net Income is shown below.
      [MISSING IMAGE: bc_netincome-bw.jpg]
      Related Person Transaction Policy

      Transactions

      As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of the existence of any related person transaction since the beginning of fiscal year 2022.
      We maintain a written Related Person Transactions Policy (available on our website atwww.criver.com under the "Investor“Investor Relations—Corporate Governance"Governance” caption) which is intended to promote the timely identification of transactions involving "related persons" (as“related persons” ​(as such term is defined pursuant to SEC regulations) and to ensure we give appropriate consideration to any real or perceived conflicts in our commercial arrangements. The policy covers any financial transaction, arrangement, or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements, or relationships), including indebtedness and guarantees of indebtedness

      81


      and transactions involving employment and similar relationships. The Board has designated the Audit Committee to oversee this policy.

      If a transaction qualifies as a related person transaction, the Audit Committee then considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including, without limitation:including: commercial reasonableness of the terms; the benefit and perceived benefit, or lack thereof, to us; opportunity costs of alternate transactions; the materiality and character of the related person'sperson’s direct or indirect interest; and the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related person. The Committee will not approve or ratify a related person transaction unless it shall have determined that, upon consideration of all relevant information, the transaction is either (1) in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders or (2) is not inconsistent with the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

              As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of the existence of any related person transaction since the beginning of fiscal year 2017.

      Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

      During the 20172022 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee consisted of Dr. Kochevar and Messrs. Reese (Chair), Llado, Massaro and Wallman. None of these individuals has served as an officer or employee for the Company or for any of our subsidiaries. We are not aware of any compensation committee interlocks.




      82


      REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

      The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists entirely of directors who meet the independence and experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. During fiscal 2017,As of the membersdate of this report, the Audit Committee includedconsists of: Ms. Virginia M. Wilson (Chair) and Messrs. Robert Bertolini Chubb, and George E. Massaro.

      The Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial reporting process, our compliance with related legal and regulatory requirements, and the quality of our external audit processes. The Audit Committee is also responsible for overseeing our overall financial reporting process. The Audit Committee does not itself prepare financial statements or perform audits, and its members are not auditors or certifiers of the Company’s financial statements. The role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in a written Charter adopted by the Board.Board, a copy of which is available at the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the Charter annuallyat least once every three years and recommends any changes to the Board for approval. The Board of Directors has determined that Roberteach of Ms. Wilson, Mr. Bertolini, Stephen D. Chubb, and George E.Mr. Massaro are eachqualifies as an Audit Committee financial experts.expert under Securities and Exchange Commission standards. In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the Audit Committee took the following actions.


      Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the quarterly financial statements and the annual and quarterly earnings press releases with management, which has primary responsibility for the financial statements, and the earnings releases and critical audit matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements, with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm.


      Reviewed and discussed with management the requirements under Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and monitored the activity surrounding the compliance initiative of our management and the audit-relatedaudit related activity of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.


      Monitored the Company'sour continued efforts to improve its internal control over financial reporting.


      Met with our management, internal auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, separately and together, to discuss our financial reporting process and internal control over financial reporting, in addition to otherand discussed with the auditors the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board AU Section 380.

      and Commission.

      Reviewed with the independent auditor all services provided during 20172022 and found no independence concerns and approved the provision of all services in advance of completion consistent with prescribed policy and procedures. In addition, the Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding its independence as required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee furtherhas discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP its independence.


      Considered the status of taxation matters and other areas of oversight relating to the financial reporting and audit process that the Audit Committee determined appropriate.


      Evaluated the annual inspection report by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and discussed the report with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The Audit Committee also evaluated a report on PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP'sLLP’s quality controls, and discussed the report with them.


      Monitored compliance with the policies and procedures for the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee engaged the independent registered public accounting firm only for certain services including audit, audit-related,audit related, and specifically approved tax and other services.


      Monitored compliance with the policy and procedures for the confidential and anonymous receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding our accounting, internal controls over financial reporting and auditing matters.


      83


      Based on the Audit Committee'sCommittee’s review of the audited financial statements, the discussions referred to above, and representations made by and discussions with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 201731, 2022 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      Ms. Virginia M. Wilson (Chair)
      Mr. Robert Bertolini
      Mr. George E. Massaro
      Mr. George E. Massaro (Chair)
      Mr. Robert Bertolini
      Mr. Stephen D. Chubb

      The foregoing report should not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.




      84


      PROPOSAL FOUR—

      RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

      The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018,30, 2023, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2018.30, 2023. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, and audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017.31, 2022. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as our auditor since 1999. The members of the Audit Committee and Board of Directors believe that the continued retention of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm is in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders. The Audit Committee proposes that the shareholders ratify this appointment for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.30, 2023. We expect that a representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

      In the event that ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not obtained at the Meeting, the Audit Committee will reconsider its appointment. Even if ratification is obtained, the Audit Committee may decide in the future it is in ourthe best interest of the Company and its stockholders to no longer retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

      Statement of Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

      The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, and fees for other services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for those periods.

      20222021
      Audit fees(1)$6,151,413$6,479,044
      Audit related fees(2)2,959,0183,258,316
      Tax fees(3)980,3531,013,393
      All other fees(4)646,3941,646,751
      Total(5)$10,737,178$12,397,504
       
       2017 2016 

      Audit fees(1)

       $5,375,940 $5,574,758 

      Audit-related fees(2)

        1,454,962  767,631 

      Tax fees(3)

        1,200,707  1,649,245 

      All other fees(4)

        11,015  8,700 

      Total(5)

       $8,042,624 $8,000,334 
      (1)

      (1)
      Audit fees consisted of work performed in the integrated audit of our annual consolidated financial statements filed on Form 10-K, audit activity directly related to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reviews of our quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements filed on Forms 10-Q and the audits of statutory financial statements of certain foreign subsidiaries. All such services were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

      (2)
      Audit-related
      Audit related fees consisted principally of fees for financial due diligence services for potential acquisitions, comfort letters issued, and work performed in the audit of our employee benefit plans. All such services were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

      (3)

      Tax fees related to tax compliance, consulting, and tax return preparation. All such services were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

      (4)

      All other fees consisted principally of fees for certain market assessment projects and accounting research tools. All such services were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

      (5)

      None of the non-audit services constitute a prohibited activity for our independent auditor under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or related SEC regulations.

      Policy and Procedures on Engagement and Retention of the Independent Auditor for Audit, Audit-Related,Audit Related, and Non-Audit Services

      Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation, and overseeing the work of our independent auditor. In recognition

      85


      of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy for preapproving all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by its independent registered public accounting firm.

      Prior to engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year'syear’s audit, management submits to the Audit Committee for approval a summary of services expected to be rendered during that year. Prior to engagement, the Audit Committee preapproves a budget for each category of services. The Audit Committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to periodically report on the actual fees versus the budget by category of service. Additional service engagements that may exceed these preapproved limits must be submitted to the Audit Committee for preapproval. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of the services described above under the captions "tax fees"“tax fees” and "all“all other fees"fees” is compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP'sLLP’s independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that these services do not compromise PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP'sLLP’s independence.

      The Audit Committee recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.


      30, 2023.

      PROPOSAL FIVE—SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
      The below resolution is sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), 1536 16th St. N.W. Washington, DC 20036, the beneficial owner of 22 shares of the Company’s common stock on the date the proposal was submitted.
      RESOLVED, that the Board report to shareholders annually on the species, country of origin (including wild-caught or captive-bred, omitting proprietary information), and numbers of nonhuman primates imported by the company into the U.S.; the species and numbers of nonhuman primates transported within the country; and measures the company is taking to mitigate its impact on dwindling populations in nature.
      Supporting Statement
      Our company moves thousands of monkeys every year on U.S. highways, often over thousands of miles. Federal law requires that a veterinarian examine monkeys transported across state lines within 10 days prior to shipment. In July 2022, the USDA cited our company for transporting monkeys from its Reno facility to the University of Utah without proper veterinary inspections required under the federal Animal Welfare Act.1
      Our company’s failure to conduct timely veterinary inspections, along with the company’s previously reported issues with infectious diseases,2 jeopardizes public health and safety. Imported monkeys can carry tuberculosis, deadly diarrheal pathogens, West Nile virus, malaria, herpes B, and other diseases and infectious agents that are transmissible to humans.
      The threat is significant: In January 2022, after a truck carrying 100 monkeys crashed in Pennsylvania, three monkeys escaped and were shot on orders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as they posed a public health risk. Transporting monkeys across the U.S.—particularly when federal laws are broken—could harm our company’s reputation and business. It is in the company’s interest that it be transparent with its shareholders about the extent of its monkey transport within the U.S.
      Our company is one of the largest importers of nonhuman primates into the U.S.—bringing in thousands of monkeys each year from Southeast Asia and Mauritius. The majority of these primates are of the species Macaca fascicularis (also known as “long-tailed macaques”).
      According to the CDC, 95% of the 92,430 monkeys brought into the U.S. during fiscal years 2019 to 2021 were long-tailed macaques.
      1
      https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/USDA_Inspection_Report_Charles-River-Laboratories-Inc-8.pdf
      2
      https://ir.criver.com/node/23391/html

      86


      The international trade in long-tailed macaques is steeped in violence, and widespread laundering of wild-caught animals as captive-bred is evident in recent indictments brought by the Department of Justice.3 These activities have a devastating impact on wild populations. In July 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) changed the conservation status of long-tailed macaques from “vulnerable” to “endangered”—and cited the voracious experimentation industry in the U.S. as a major factor in the species’ dramatic population crash.4 The IUCN projects an additional population decline of 50% over the next three generations if current threats aren’t mitigated. Our company cannot remain linked to this biodiversity and ethical catastrophe—it is crucial that our company inform shareholders of measures it is taking to lessen its impact on populations of long-tailed macaques, as this division of our company’s business could suffer considerably if the company fails to be proactive.
      We urge our fellow shareholders to support this responsible resolution.
      YOUR COMPANY’S RESPONSE
      The ongoing success of Charles River depends on our continued commitment to ethical business practices, including animal welfare. We are committed to conducting business responsibly and with integrity in our activities throughout our global organization, which includes our focus on ethical and accountable supply chains and compliance with applicable laws. Maintaining the highest ethical standards allows us to meet the expectations of our clients, attract and retain outstanding employees, and deliver value to our shareholders.
      This proposal is not in the best interests of shareholders for the following reasons:

      Charles River is newly committing to reporting to shareholders annually on measures the Company takes to reinforce confidence that the non-human primates we import are purpose-bred in accordance with applicable laws;

      The use of non-human primates is fundamental to research and understanding on the prevention and treatment of emerging infectious diseases;

      Charles River is committed to ensuring that our operations are complying with applicable U.S. and international laws and regulations related to animal transportation and welfare, including all required reporting elements; and

      The stewardship of the research animals in our care, including their humane care and well-being, is a core value of our Company.
      We intend to report to shareholders annually on measures the Company takes to reinforce confidence that the non-human primates we import are purpose-bred in accordance with applicable laws.
      Charles River is steadfastly opposed to the illegal importation of non-human primates that are not purpose-bred into the United States. We believe it is imperative to the biomedical research industry that it maintain the utmost confidence in the quality of the research models it utilizes to contribute to the discovery and development of life-saving drugs and therapies for the treatment and cure of diseases. We are committed to dedicating our resources to collaborate with the U.S. government and our industry partners to develop and implement additional procedures to reasonably ensure the non-human primates we import are purpose-bred in accordance with applicable laws. Accordingly, starting in 2024, we intend to provide shareholders with an annual report from our Board describing the efforts we are taking to reinforce confidence that the non-human primates we import are purpose-bred in accordance with applicable laws.
      Non-Human Primates are Fundamental to Preventing Emerging Infectious Diseases
      Research animals are a critical resource that furthers our knowledge of living systems and contributes to the discovery of life-saving drugs and other therapies for the treatment and cure of diseases. Before a
      3
      https://www.internationalprimatologicalsociety.org/harvesting-of-wild-primates-for-use-in-biomedical-research/
      4
      https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12551/199563077

      87


      drug can be evaluated in the clinic on humans, in the absence of a validated alternative, the FDA requires testing in two animal species, including one non-rodent species, to ensure patient safety.
      Because of their close genetic, physiological, and behavioral similarity to humans, non-human primates are often the only scientifically relevant animal models for critical translational research and the required safety testing of biologic drugs. As a result, the use of non-human primates is fundamental to foundational scientific research and understanding on how to prevent and treat emerging infectious diseases, including the successful development of every COVID-19 vaccine and the work of major academic medical centers. Non-human primates are also necessary for the development of new innovative treatments for cancer, diabetes, and a number of other diseases currently without effective treatment options.
      Charles River is Committed to Ensuring Compliance with Applicable Laws Related to Animal Transportation and Welfare
      Charles River is committed to ensuring that our operations are complying with applicable U.S. and international laws and regulations related to animal transportation and welfare, including required reporting elements. Charles River maintains risk-based supplier due diligence, governance, auditing and monitoring practices to help ensure the quality of our supplier relationships, including our non-human primate suppliers.
      We recognize that recent events have raised questions regarding non-human primate importation practices, which are affecting the biomedical research industry, including investigations into shipments of non-human primates received by our Company from Cambodia.1 We are committed to working with the U.S. government and our industry partners to develop and implement additional procedures to reinforce confidence that the non-human primates we import are purpose-bred in accordance with applicable laws. We embrace our leadership position and responsibility towards implementing a system that enhances confidence in the quality of the research models used in biomedical research.
      Regarding a ground transportation matter cited in PETA’s supporting statement, we wish to correct a misleading inference; specifically, Charles River was not involved in the January 2022 incident mentioned in PETA’s statement.
      Humane Care and Well-Being of Research Animals is a Core Value of Charles River
      Charles River is a global leader in the humane care and use of research animals. We continue to maintain a strong and long-standing commitment to animal welfare, and the humane care and use of research animals is one of Charles River’s core values. At Charles River, we work closely with the scientific community to understand how living conditions, handling procedures, and the reduction of stress play an important role in the quality and efficiency of research. We understand and recognize that we are responsible to both the scientific community and the public for the health and well-being of the animals in our care.
      The Charles River Code of Business Conduct and Ethics2 describes our core values and contains specific expectations pertaining to acting in the best interest of the animals in our care, our clients, and the public. Furthermore, we publish a policy on Animal Welfare and the Humane Treatment of Animals3, which details the expectation that our employees treat animals with respect. Our animal welfare policy meets or exceeds applicable laws regarding animal treatment in the places where we conduct business. In addition, our Supplier Code of Conduct4 requires suppliers whose activities include the use of animals to adopt an Animal Welfare and Humane Treatment of Animals Policy similar to ours. We also maintain a global supplier onboarding and oversight program incorporating risk-based due diligence, auditing, and monitoring
      1
      Further information on these investigations can be found in Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2023.
      2
      https://www.criver.com/sites/default/files/noindex/legal-compliance/code-business-conduct-ethics-en.pdf?_ga=2.115004039.1277374410.1673292634-922379382.1631889111
      3
      https://www.criver.com/sites/default/files/noindex/legal-compliance/animal-welfare-humane-treatment-animals-policy.pdf
      4
      https://www.criver.com/sites/default/files/resources/SupplierCodeofConduct.pdf

      88


      practices to help ensure the quality of our supplier relationships and compliance with applicable U.S. and international laws and regulations.
      We are firmly committed to the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) across our organization. These are principles developed over half a century ago to provide a framework for performing animal research.
      Innovation is a core focus for Charles River and we offer alternatives to animal testing whenever possible. We emphasize animal health and genetic integrity, both of which decrease study data variability and reduce the number of animals needed for research. We also partner with clients to develop study designs that decrease the number of animals needed and suggest pilot studies where necessary. Implementation of the 3Rs is reinforced by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Ethics Committee (EC) and Animal Welfare Body (AWB) at all of our facilities around the globe. The IACUC, EC and AWB are responsible for oversight of the facilities’ animal care and use program, for promoting refinements and ensuring animal well-being, and for assuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to animal care and use.
      We are actively working to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in drug development and to create new technologies to eliminate the use of animals altogether, and we support efforts by Congress, the FDA and the broader research community in these areas. However, new drug testing technologies to realize this vision at a broad scale are still many years away. Non-human primates therefore remain essential to support the development of approximately 10,000 drug products currently in preclinical development.
      Scientific excellence, humane care, maintenance of high-quality standards, and ethical and accountable supply chains, are cornerstones of the Charles River culture. Non-human primates, free of disease and infection, are the most scientifically relevant large models for critical translational research for biologic drugs and remain essential to support our clients’ focus on expanding their biologic drug pipelines as they work to develop innovative treatments for a wide range of diseases.
      The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “AGAINST” this shareholder proposal.
      OTHER MATTERS

      Shareholder Proposals for 20192024 Annual Meeting

      Shareholders who wish to present proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 20192024 may do so by following the procedures prescribed in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.1934 (the Exchange Act). To be eligible, shareholder proposals must be received by our Corporate Secretary no later than November 29, 2018.

      December 1, 2023. It is suggested that any shareholder proposals be sent by a trackable method (i.e., certified mail, registered mail, overnight courier, etc.) to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. In addition, we recommend that a copy of the shareholder proposal be sent to the following email address: GeneralCounsel@crl.com.

      Under our Bylaws,proxy access by-law, if a stockholder (or a group of up to 20 stockholders) who has owned at least 3% of our shares for at least three years and has complied with the other requirements set forth in our By-laws wants us to include director nominees (up to the greater of two nominees or 20% of the Board) in our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting, the nominations must be received in a timely manner, between 120 and 150 days prior to the anniversary of the date our proxy statement was first sent to stockholders in connection with our 2023 annual meeting, meaning no earlier than November 1, 2023 and no later than December 1, 2023.
      If a shareholder wishes to nominate a director or present a proposal or nominationof other business at the 20192024 Annual Meeting separately fromusing the Rule 14a-8advance notice process delineated in our By-laws, such shareholder must give written notice to the Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. The Corporate Secretary must receive such notice no sooner than January 8, 2019,10, 2024, and no later than February 7, 2019,9, 2024, and such notice must comply with our Bylaws.

      By-laws. In addition to complying with the advance notice provisions of our By-laws, to nominate directors, shareholders must give


      89


      timely notice that complies with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act, and which must be received no later than March 10, 2024.
      Obtaining Additional Information About Charles River

      The Notice of Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the enclosed proxy and our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 30, 201731, 2022 are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 29, 2018.30, 2023. Our Annual Report to Shareholders includes a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 201731, 2022 (other than exhibits thereto), as filed with the SEC. The Form 10-K provides additional information about the Company. Exhibits will be provided upon written request and payment of an appropriate processing fee. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (with exhibits) for the year ended December 30, 201731, 2022 can also be found on the SEC website atwww.sec.gov. In addition, shareholders may request a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, without charge, by writing to our Corporate Secretary, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MassachusettsMA 01887.


      Certain Matters Relating to Proxy Materials and Annual Reports

      We satisfy SEC rules regarding delivery of proxy statements and annual reports by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report to an address shared by two or more of our shareholders. This delivery method is referred to as "householding"“householding” and can result in meaningful cost savings for us. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one proxy statement and annual report to multiple shareholders who share an address, unless contrary instructions were received from affected shareholders prior to the mailing date. Promptly upon written or oral request, we undertake to deliver a separate copy of the proxy statement and/or annual report, as requested, to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. If you hold stock as a registered shareholder and prefer to receive separate copies of a proxy statement or annual report, either now or in the future, please contact Computershare Investor Services: by mail at P.O. Box 505008 Louisville, KY 40233-9814; by telephone at 1-800-368-5948;1-877-282-1168; or through the website:http://www.computershare.com/investor. If your stock is held through a broker or bank and you prefer to receive separate copies of a proxy statement or annual report, either now or in the future, please contact your broker or bank.

      Other Business

      The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented to the Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.

      By order of the Board of Directors:
      David P. Johst
      Corporate Secretary

      Wilmington, Massachusetts
      March 29, 2018

      WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY OR VOTE VIA INTERNET AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.

      CONVENIENCE



      90


      Appendix A

      CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

      RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO NON-GAAP EARNINGS(1)

      (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,
      2022
      December 25,
      2021
      December 26,
      2020
      December 28,
      2019
      December 29,
      2018
      December 30,
      2017
      December 31,
      2016
      December 26,
      2015
      December 27,
      2014
      December 28,
      2013
      December 29,
      2012
      December 31,
      2011
      December 25,
      2010
      December 26,
      2009
      December 27,
      2008
      Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders$486,226$390,982$364,304$252,019$226,373$123,355$154,765$149,313$126,698$102,828$97,295$109,566$(336,669)$114,441$(524,505)
      Less: Income (loss) from
      discontinued operations, net of
      income taxes
      1,506(137)280(950)(1,726)(1,265)(4,252)(5,545)(8,012)1,3993,283
      Net income (loss) from continuing
      operations attributable to
      common shareholders
      486,226390,982364,304252,019224,867123,492154,485150,263128,424104,093101,547115,111(328,657)113,042(527,788)
      Add back:
      Amortization related to acquisitions146,934128,148118,61890,86764,83141,37042,74629,37425,95717,80618,06721,79524,40525,71726,725
      Severance and executive transition costs4,0884,7187,58611,4588,6803,2788,4726,1737,7923,2182,5805,46216,50416,344
      Site consolidation costs, impairments, and other
      items(2)
      13,4053,4686,4574,28386418,64511,8492,2407,13621,3813,963473384,8963,939706,689
      Adjustment of acquisition-related
      contingent consideration and
      related items
      (721)2,865
      Operating losses(3)5,5172,6003,3713,7386,47113,3873,988
      Acquisition-related
      adjustments(4)
      18,56615,86719,62339,43919,1846,68722,70214,5136,6881,7523,7742158,3193,2461,125
      Government billing adjustment and related expenses1506344778482,402
      Acquisition agreement termination fee30,000
      Gain on settlement of life insurance policy(7,710)
      U.S. pension curtailment(3,276)
      Gain on sale of U.K. real
      estate
      (839)
      Reversal of an indemnification
      asset associated with
      acquisition and corresponding
      interest(5)
      5410,411
      Write-off of deferred financing costs and fees related to debt refinancing26,0891,6055,0609877216451,4504,542
      Loss on sale of auction rate securities712
      (Gain) loss on bargain
      purchase(6)
      (277)15(9,837)
      Convertible debt
      accounting(7)
      6,71014,74113,97812,94811,1068,432
      Gain on divestiture of CDMO business(10,577)
      Debt forgiveness associated with a
      prior acquisition(8)
      (1,863)
      Deferred tax revaluation763
      Tax benefit from disposition of Phase I clinical business(11,111)
      Massachusetts tax law change1,897
      Reduction of tax benefits – Charles River
      Massachusetts
      719
      Costs and taxes associated with corporate legal entity restructuring and
      repatriation
      1,63715,689(1,084)(4,045)
      Venture capital and strategic equity investment losses
      (gains)
      26,77530,419(100,861)(20,707)(15,928)(22,657)(10,285)(3,824)(9,343)(5,864)618(869)579
      Loss due to U.S. Pension termination10,283

      A-1


       
       Twelve Months Ended 
       
       December 30,
      2017
       December 31,
      2016
       December 26,
      2015
       December 27,
      2014
       December 28,
      2013
       December 29,
      2012
       December 31,
      2011
       December 25,
      2010
       December 26,
      2009
       December 27,
      2008
       

      Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

       $123,355 $154,765 $149,313 $126,698 $102,828 $97,295 $109,566 $(336,669)$114,441 $(524,505)

      Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes                 

        (137) 280  (950) (1,726) (1,265) (4,252) (5,545) (8,012) 1,399  3,283 

      Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

        123,492  154,485  150,263  128,424  104,093  101,547  115,111  (328,657) 113,042  (527,788)

      Add back:

                                     

      Amortization related to acquisitions

        41,370  42,746  29,374  25,957  17,806  18,067  21,795  24,405  25,717  26,725 

      Severance and executive transition costs

        3,278  8,472  6,173  7,792  3,218  2,580  5,462  16,504  16,344   

      Site consolidation costs, impairments, and other items(2)

        18,645  11,849  2,240  7,136  21,381  3,963  473  384,896  3,939  706,689 

      Adjustment of acquisition-related contingent consideration and related items

                    (721) 2,865     

      Operating losses(3)

            5,517  2,600  3,371  3,738  6,471  13,387  3,988   

      Acquisition-related adjustments(4)

        6,687  22,702  14,513  6,688  1,752  3,774  215  8,319  3,246  1,125 

      Government billing adjustment and related expenses

        150  634  477  848  2,402           

      Acquisition agreement termination fee                 

                      30,000     

      Gain on settlement of life insurance policy

                    (7,710)      

      U.S. pension curtailment

                          (3,276)

      Gain on sale of U.K. real estate

                        (839)  

      Reversal of an indemnification asset associated with acquisition and corresponding interest(5)

          54  10,411               

      Write-off of deferred financing costs and fees related to debt refinancing

          987  721    645    1,450  4,542     

      Loss on sale of auction rate securities

                  712         

      Gain on bargain purchase(6)

        (277) 15  (9,837)              

      Convertible debt accounting(7)

                6,710  14,741  13,978  12,948  11,106  8,432 

      Gain on divestiture of CDMO business

        (10,577)                  

      Debt forgiveness associated with a prior acquisition(8)

        (1,863)                  

      Deferred tax revaluation

                          763 

      Tax benefit from disposition of Phase I clinical business

                    (11,111)      

      Massachusetts tax law change

                          1,897 

      Reduction of tax benefits—Charles River Massachusetts

                        719   

      Costs and taxes associated with corporate legal entity restructuring and repatriation

              ��     1,637  15,689  (1,084) (4,045)

      Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments:

                                     

      Tax effect from U.S. Tax Reform(9)

        78,537                   

      Tax effect from divestiture of CDMO business

        17,705                   

      Reversal of uncertain tax position associated with acquisition and corresponding interest(5)

            (10,411)              

      Tax effect of the remaining non-GAAP adjustments and certain other tax items

        (21,184) (23,025) (20,106) (14,987) (19,126) (16,604) (15,710) (59,274) (22,228) (15,970)

      Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, excluding specified charges (Non-GAAP)

       $255,963 $218,919 $179,335 $164,458 $142,252 $132,518 $131,340 $125,624 $153,950 $194,552 

                                     
      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,
      2022
      December 25,
      2021
      December 26,
      2020
      December 28,
      2019
      December 29,
      2018
      December 30,
      2017
      December 31,
      2016
      December 26,
      2015
      December 27,
      2014
      December 28,
      2013
      December 29,
      2012
      December 31,
      2011
      December 25,
      2010
      December 26,
      2009
      December 27,
      2008
      Gain due to sale of RMS Japan operations(22,656)
      Gain due to sale of Avian
      business
      (123,524)
      Other(9)5,285(2,942)
      Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments:
      Tax effect from U.S. Tax Reform(10)(5,450)78,537
      Tax effect from divestiture of CDMO business(1,000)17,705
      Non-cash tax provision (benefit)
      related to international
      financing structure(11)
      4,6484,8094,444(19,787)
      Reversal of uncertain tax position
      associated with acquisition and
      corresponding interest(5)
      (10,411)
      Enacted tax law changes(382)10,036
      Tax effect of the remaining non-GAAP adjustments and certain other tax items(11,399)(58,404)(18,953)(24,811)(17,166)(12,286)(18,744)(18,672)(11,483)(16,976)(16,832)(15,388)(59,489)(22,228)(15,970)
      Net income from continuing
      operations attributable to
      common shareholders, excluding
      specified charges (Non-
      GAAP)
      $570,622$530,534$411,501$334,366$283,942$242,204$212,915$176,945$158,619$138,538$132,908$130,793$125,988$153,950$194,552
      Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic50,81250,29349,55048,73047,94747,48147,01446,49646,62747,74047,91250,82362,56165,36667,274
      Effect of dilutive securities:
      2.25% senior convertible debentures776
      Stock options, restricted stock
      units, performance stock units,
      and contingently issued
      restricted stock
      4891,1321,0619631,0711,0839441,1389317494944955582681,010
      Warrants287
      Weighted average shares outstanding − Diluted51,30151,42550,61149,69349,01848,56447,95847,63447,55848,48948,40651,31863,12065,63669,147
      Earnings per share from continuing
      operations attributable to
      common shareholders
      Basic$9.57$7.77$7.35$5.17$4.69$2.60$3.28$3.23$2.76$2.18$2.12$2.26$(5.25)$1.73$(7.85)
      Diluted$9.48$7.60$7.20$5.07$4.59$2.54$3.22$3.15$2.70$2.15$2.10$2.24$(5.25)$1.72$(7.85)
      Basic, excluding non-GAAP adjustments$11.23$10.55$8.30$6.86$5.92$5.10$4.53$3.81$3.40$2.90$2.77$2.57$2.01$2.36$2.89
      Diluted, excluding non-GAAP
      adjustments
      $11.12$10.32$8.13$6.73$5.80$4.99$4.44$3.71$3.34$2.86$2.75$2.55$2.00$2.35$2.81

      (1)
       
       Twelve Months Ended 
       
       December 30,
      2017
       December 31,
      2016
       December 26,
      2015
       December 27,
      2014
       December 28,
      2013
       December 29,
      2012
       December 31,
      2011
       December 25,
      2010
       December 26,
      2009
       December 27,
      2008
       
      Weighted average shares outstanding—Basic  47,481  47,014  46,496  46,627  47,740  47,912  50,823  62,561  65,366  67,274 

      Effect of dilutive securities:

                                     

      2.25% senior convertible debentures

                          776 

      Stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and contingently issued restricted stock

        1,083  944  1,138  931  749  494  495  558  268  1,010 

      Warrants

                        2  87 

      Weighted average shares outstanding—Diluted

        48,564  47,958  47,634  47,558  48,489  48,406  51,318  63,120  65,636  69,147 

      Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

                                     

      Basic

       $2.60 $3.28 $3.23 $2.76 $2.18 $2.12 $2.26 $(5.25)$1.73 $(7.85)

      Diluted

       $2.54 $3.22 $3.15 $2.70 $2.15 $2.10 $2.24 $(5.25)$1.72 $(7.85)

      Basic excluding non-GAAP adjustments

       $5.39 $4.66 $3.86 $3.53 $2.98 $2.77 $2.58 $2.01 $2.36 $2.89 

      Diluted excluding non-GAAP adjustments

       $5.27 $4.56 $3.76 $3.46 $2.93 $2.74 $2.56 $1.99 $2.35 $2.81 

      (1)
      Solely for purposes of demonstrating executive compensation trends, this Proxy Statement contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which exclude: non-cash goodwill and other asset impairments in the fourth quarters of 2010 and 2008; amortization of intangible assets and other charges related to our acquisitions;acquisitions, as well as fair value adjustments associated with contingent consideration; expenses associated with evaluating acquisitions (including costs related to the termination of acquisitions,acquisitions), charges and operating losses attributable to our businesses we plan to close or divest (or have closed or divested) and other related miscellaneous expenses; severance costs associated with our cost-saving actions; fees and taxes associated with corporate subsidiary restructurings and the repatriation of cash into the United States; write-offs of deferred financing costs related to the extinguishment of debt;debt and fees related to debt financing; the additional interest recorded as a result of the adoption in 2009 of an accounting standard related to our convertible debt accounting which increased interest and depreciation expense; gains from the sale of U.K. real estate; the gain on the curtailment of our U.S. defined benefit plan in 2008; a gain recognized upon the settlement of a life insurance policy of a former officer income from tax settlements related to our discontinued operations; gain (and related tax effect) on the divestiture of our CDMO business; debt forgiveness associated with an acquistiion; the tax effect of 2017 U.S. Tax Reform legislation; charges in connection with a deferred tax revaluation; deferred financing costs related to our amended credit facilities; taxes associated with the disposition of our Phase I clinical business; and the positive impact of adjustments to contingent consideration payable for earlier acquisitions.acquisitions; third-party costs associated with the remediation of unauthorized access into our information systems detected in March 2019; the non-cash tax benefit related to our international financing structure in 2019; charges related to the planned settlement of our U.S. pension plan; charges recorded in connection with the modification of our option to purchase equity in one of our joint ventures; investment gains or losses associated with our venture capital and strategic equity investments; and losses associated with the termination of our U.S. Pension Plan. We exclude these items from the non-GAAP financial measures because they are outside our normal operations. There are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures, as they are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In particular, we believe that the inclusion of supplementary non-GAAP financial measures helps investors to gain a meaningful understanding of our core operating results and future prospects without the effect of these often-one-time charges, and is consistent with how management measures and forecasts the Company'sCompany’s performance, especially when comparing such results to prior periods or forecasts. We believe that the financial impact of our acquisitions (and in certain cases, the evaluation of such acquisitions, whether or not ultimately consummated) is often large relative to our overall financial performance, which can adversely affect the comparability of our results on a period-to-period basis. In addition, certain activities, such as business acquisitions, happen infrequently and the underlying costs associated with such activities do not recur on a regular basis. Non-GAAP results also allow investors to compare the Company'sCompany’s operations against the financial results of other companies in the industry who similarly provide non-GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this Proxy Statement are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company intends to continue to assess the potential value of reporting non-GAAP results consistent with applicable rules and regulations. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this Proxy Statement to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in this table, and can also be found on the Company'sCompany’s website at ir.criver.com.

      (2)

      Reported results in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 primarily include site consolidation costs, impairments, and other items. Reported results in 2014 include: (i) asset impairments and accelerated depreciation related to the consolidation of research model production operations; (ii) charges related to a dispute with a large model supplier; and (iii) a gain related to the sale of a former research model facility in France. Reported results in 2013 include: (i) accelerated depreciation related to the consolidation of research model production operations in California and Biologics Testing Solutions

      A-2


      operations; (ii) an impairment charge related to the Company'sCompany’s DSA facility in Massachusetts; (iii) an adjustment to prior-period accrued compensated absences; and (iv) asset impairments at certain European facilities. Reported results in 2012 include: (i) the impairment of long-lived assets for certain RMS Europe facilities; (ii) the gain on the sale of land for an RMS facility; and (iii) a write-off associated with large model inventory held at a vendor. Reported results in 2011 include: (i) asset impairments associated with certain RMS and DSA operations; (ii) gains on the disposition of RMS facilities in Michigan and Europe; (iii) costs associated with exiting a defined benefit plan in RMS Japan; and (iv) costs associated with vacating a corporate leased facility. Reported results in 2010 primarily include to goodwill and asset impairments associated with the Company'sCompany’s DSA business segment. Additionally, these amounts were reduced by $4.3 million to account for the portion of the asset impairment charge associated with the non-controlling interest in the company'scompany’s former DSA facility in China. Reported results in 2009 primarily include an asset impairment and costs associated with the Company'sCompany’s planned disposition of its DSA facility in Arkansas, as well as additional miscellaneous expenses. Reported results in 2008 primarily include a goodwill impairment related to the Company'sCompany’s DSA business segment, as well as asset impairments and other charged related to the sale of the Company'sCompany’s Vaccine business in Mexico and closure of the Company'sCompany’s facility in Hungary; the disposition of and accelerated exit from the Company'sCompany’s Worcester, MA facility; severance costs related to cost-saving actions and advisory fees incurred in connection with repatriation of accumulated foreign earnings.

      (3)

      Operating losses are primarily related to the curtailment of operations and subsequent operating costs at the Company'sCompany’s DSA facilities in Massachusetts, China, and Arkansas.

      (4)

      These adjustments are related to the evaluation and integration of acquisitions, which primarily include transaction, third-party integration, and certain compensation costs, and fair value adjustments associated with contingent consideration. In addition, the amount in 2019 includes a $2.2 million charge recorded in connection with the modification of the option to purchase the remaining 8% equity interest in Vital River and the amount in 2016 includes a $1.5 million charge recorded in connection with the modification of the option to purchase the remaining 13% equity interest in Vital River, partially offset by a $0.7 million gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest in an entity acquired in a step acquisition.

      (5)

      These amounts represent the reversal of an uncertain tax position and an offsetting indemnification asset primarily related to the acquisition of BioFocus.

      (6)
      The
      These amounts relate to acquisitionsthe acquisition of Sunrise Farms, Inc. in 2015 and representsan immaterial acquisition in 2017, and represent the excess of the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired over the purchase price.

      (7)

      Reported results in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 include the impact of convertible debt accounting adopted at the beginning of 2009, which increased interest expense by $6.6 million, $14.5 million, $13.8 million, $12.7 million, $11.9 million, and $11.1 million and depreciation expense by $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million, respectively; and capitalized interest by $1.0 million in 2009 and $2.8 million in 2008.

      (8)

      The amount represents the forgiveness of a liability related to the acquisition of Vital River.

      (9)

      The 2022 amount includes a purchase price adjustment in connection with the 2021 divestiture of RMS Japan, a loss on the termination of a Canadian pension plan, and the reversal of an indemnification asset related to a prior acquisition. The 2021 amount includes adjustments related to the gain on an immaterial divestiture and the finalization of the annuity purchase related to the termination of the Company’s U.S. pension plan.
      (10)
      The amount for fiscal year 2017 includes a $78.5 million estimate for the impact of the enactment of U.S. Tax Reform legislation. The estimated impact of U.S. Tax Reform consists of the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated earnings (also known as the toll tax), withholding and state taxes related to the Company'sCompany’s withdrawal of its indefinite reinvestment assertion regarding unremitted earnings, and the revaluation of U.S. federal net deferred tax liabilities. The final impact of U.S. Tax Reform may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations, analysis, and assumptions made by the Company, additional guidance that may be issued by regulatory agencies, and any updated or changes to estimates the Company utilized to calculate the transition tax impact.


      Appendix B

      CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
      The amount for fiscal year 2018 INCENTIVE PLAN
      Originally adopted by the Board of Directors
      On March 20, 2018

      1.     ADMINISTRATION

              Subjectreflects an adjustment that is related to the express provisionsrefinement of one-time charges associated with the Plan, the Administrator has the authority to interpret the Plan; determine eligibility for and grant Awards; determine, modify or waive the terms and conditionsenactment of any Award; prescribe forms, rules and procedures (which it may modify or waive); and otherwise do all things necessary to implement the Plan. Once an Award has been communicated in writing to a Participant, the Administrator may not, without the Participant's consent, alter the terms of the Award so as to materially affect adversely the Participant's rights under the Award, unless the Administrator has expressly reserved the right to do so or pursuant to Section 9.

      2.     LIMITS ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN

              a.    NUMBER OF SHARES.    Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5.b, the total number of shares of Stock subject to Awards granted under the Plan, in the aggregate, may not exceed 7,198,598 (the "Fungible Pool Limit"), which includes (A) a reserve of 439,798 shares of Stock remaining available for issuance under the 2016 Plan as in effect priorU.S. Tax Reform related to the Effective Datetransition tax on unrepatriated earnings (also known as the toll tax), and (B) an increasethe revaluation of 6,758,800 sharesU.S. federal net deferred tax liabilities.

      (11)
      This adjustment relates to the recognition of Stock, as approved by the Board, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company. Each share of Stock issued ordeferred tax assets expected to be issued in connection with any Full-Value Award shall be counted against the Fungible Pool Limitutilized as 2.3 Fungible Pool Units. Stock Options, SARs and other Awards that do not deliver the full value at grant thereofa result of the underlying shares of Stock and that expire no more than seven (7) years from the date of grant shall be counted against the Fungible Pool Limit as one (1.0) Fungible Pool Unit. (For these purposes, the number of shares of Stock taken into account with respect to a SAR shall be the number of shares of Stock underlying the SAR at grant (i.e., not the final number of shares of Stock delivered upon exercise of the SAR)). For purposes of the preceding sentence, shares that have been forfeited or cancelled in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award shall not be considered to have been delivered under the Plan, but shares held back in satisfaction of the exercise price or tax withholding requirements from shares that would otherwise have been delivered pursuant to an Award will be considered to have been delivered under the Plan. In addition, shares of Stock that have been repurchased by the Company with proceeds obtained in connection with the exercise of outstanding Awards shall not be added into the pool of available shares. Any shares of Stock that again become available for grant pursuant to this Section 2.a shall be added backchanges to the poolCompany’s international financing structure.

      A-3

      [MISSING IMAGE: px_proxypg1-bw.jpg]
      Your vote matters – here’s how to vote!You may vote online instead of available shares. For purposes of clarity, in calculating the number of shares of Stock remaining under the Fungible Pool Limit, the Administrator will not increase the number of available Fungible Pool Units for shares of Stock delivered under an Award (i.e., previously acquired Shares tendered by the Participant in payment of the exercise price or of withholding taxes). The Administrator shall determine the appropriate methodology for calculating the number of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the Plan.

              b.    TYPE OF SHARES.    Stock delivered by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Stock or previously issued Stock acquired by the Company and held in treasury. No fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the Plan.

              c.    PARTICIPANT SHARE LIMIT.    The maximum number of shares of Stock for which any Awards may be granted to any Participant annually from and after adoption of the Plan and prior to March 20, 2028 shall be 2,000,000, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5.b. No Awards may


      be granted under the Plan after March 20, 2028, but previously granted Awards may extend beyond that date.

              d.    OTHER AWARD LIMITS.    No more than $3,000,000 may be paid to any individual with respect to any Cash Performance Award (other than an Award expressed in terms of shares of Stock or units representing Stock, which shall instead be subject to the limit set forth in Section 2.c above). In applying the dollar limitation of the preceding sentence: (A) multiple Cash Performance Awards to the same individual that are determined by reference to performance periods of one year with or within the same fiscal year of the Company shall be subject in the aggregate to one limit of such amount, and (B) multiple Cash Performance Awards to the same individual that are determined by reference to one or more multi-year performance periods ending in the same fiscal year of the Company shall be subject in the aggregate to a separate limit of such amount.

              e.    NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR LIMIT.    The aggregate grant date fair value (determined as of the date of grant) of any Award granted under the Plan to an individual upon becoming a non-employee member of the Board of Directors ("Initial Non-Employee Director Grant") shall not exceed $600,000. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.b, no Participant who is a non-employee member of the Board of Directors may receive under the Plan (or otherwise) in any calendar year Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Unrestricted Stock, Deferred Stock and Performance Awards denominated in shares of Stock with a grant date fair value (determined as of the date of grant) that, when combined with the aggregate amount of any Cash Performance Awards and any other compensation granted to such Participant in such calendar year, exceeds an aggregate of $800,000 (excluding an Initial Non-Employee Director Grant).

              f.    ISO SHARE LIMIT.    Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5.b, the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance with respect to ISOs under the Plan shall be 3,500,000.

      3.     ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

              The Administrator will select Participants from among those key Employees, directors and other individuals or entities providing services to the Company or its Affiliates who, in the opinion of the Administrator, are in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company and its Affiliates. Eligibility for ISOs is further limited to those individuals whose employment status would qualify them for the tax treatment described in Sections 421 and 422 of the Code.

      4.     RULES APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

              a.    ALL AWARDS

              (1)TERMS OF AWARDS.    All Awards of Stock Options and SARs granted hereunder shall have a term of not to exceed seven (7) years from the date of grant. The Administrator shall determine all other terms of all Awards subject to the limitations provided herein.

              (2)PERFORMANCE CRITERIA.    Where rights under an Award depend in whole or in part on satisfaction of Performance Criteria, actions by the Company that have an effect, however material, on such Performance Criteria or on the likelihood that they will be satisfied will not be deemed an amendment or alteration of the Award.

              (3)ALTERNATIVE SETTLEMENT.    The Company may at any time extinguish rights under an Award in exchange for payment in cash, Stock (subject to the limitations of Section 2) or other property on such terms as the Administrator determines, PROVIDED the holder of the Award consents to such exchange, PROVIDED FURTHER, no such exchange will be made where the cash,


      Stock or property to be received has a fair market value greater than the Award being extinguished, or where any such exchange would violate Section 4.a(9) ofmailing this Plan.

              (4)TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS.    Awards may not be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and during a Participant's lifetime an Award requiring exercise may be exercised only by the Participant (or in the event of the Participant's incapacity, the person or persons legally appointed to act on the Participant's behalf).

              (5)VESTING, ETC.    Without limiting the generality of Section 1, the Administrator may determine the time or times at which an Award will vest (i.e., become free of forfeiture restrictions) or become exercisable and the terms on which an Award requiring exercise will remain exercisable. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (1) Awards that are not Performance Awards to Participants shall vest (i.e., become free of forfeiture restrictions) over a period of time at least three years or more from the date of grant and no Award shall vest in part or in whole before 12 months from the date of grant, and (2) Full-Value Awards that are Performance Awards shall be subject to the attainment of Performance Criteria which require at least 12 months to achieve and no Award shall vest in part or in whole before 12 months from the date of grant; PROVIDED, however, that Awards that aggregate not more than 5% of the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan may be awarded without the vesting requirements set forth in clauses (1) and (2).

              Unless otherwise provided by Section 4.d with respect to Performance Awards or if the Administrator expressly provides otherwise:

                (A)  immediately upon the cessation of a Participant's employment or other service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates, all Awards (other than Stock Options and SARs) held by the Participant (or by a permitted transferee under Section 4.a(4)) immediately prior to such cessation of employment or other service relationship will be forfeited if not then vested and, where exercisability is relevant, will cease to be exercisable;

                (B)  except as provided in clauses (C) and (D) below, all Stock Options and SARs held by a Participant (or by a permitted transferee under Section 4.a(4)) immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant's employment or other service relationship for reasons other than Disability or death, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) a period of three months or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 4.a(5), and shall thereupon terminate;

                (C)  all Stock Options and SARs held by a Participant (or by a permitted transferee under Section 4.a(4)) immediately prior to the Participant's Disability or death, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) the one-year period ending with the first anniversary of the Participant's Disability or death or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 4.a(5), and shall thereupon terminate; and

                (D)  all Stock Options and SARs held by a Participant (or by a permitted transferee of the Participant under Section 4.a(4)) whose cessation of employment or other service relationship is determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion to result from reasons which cast such discredit on the Participant as to justify immediate termination of the Award shall immediately terminate upon such cessation.

              Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, a Participant's "employment or other service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates" will be deemed to have ceased, in the case of an employee Participant, upon termination of the Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates (whether or not the Participant continues in the service of the Company or its Affiliates in some capacity other than that of an employee of the Company or its Affiliates), and in the case of any other Participant, when the service relationship in respect of which the Award was granted terminates


      (whether or not the Participant continues in the service of the Company or its Affiliates in some other capacity).

              (6)TAXES.    The Administrator will make such provision for the withholding of taxes as it deems necessary. The Administrator may, but need not, hold back shares of Stock from an Award or permit a Participant to tender previously owned shares of Stock in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements. For the avoidance of doubt, Stock may be tendered or held back by the Company in excess of the minimum amount required to be withheld for Federal, state, and local taxes.

              As provided in Section 2.a of this Plan, in the event shares of Stock are held back from an Award in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements, such shares will nonetheless be considered to have been delivered under the Plan.

              (7)DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS, ETC.    The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts in lieu of cash dividends or other cash distributions with respect to Stock subject to any Full Value Award if and in such manner as it deems appropriate. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, and without limiting the generality of Section 4.d(10), in no event shall an Award provide for any dividend or dividend equivalents to be payable to the Participant in respect of such Award prior to the time at which such Award (or the applicable portion thereof) vests (and, in the case of a Performance Award, the applicable performance condition is achieved).

              (8)RIGHTS LIMITED.    Nothing in the Plan shall be construed as giving any person the right to continued employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any rights as a shareholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan. The loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element of damages in the event of termination of employment or service for any reason, even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or Affiliate to the Participant. No Participant or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Any Award granted under the Plan shall be a one-time Award that does not constitute a promise of future grants. Any Award granted under the Plan shall not be a part of a Participant's base salary or wages and will not be taken into account in determining any other employment-related rights such Participant may have, such as rights to pension or severance pay. The Company, in its sole discretion, maintains the right to make available future grants under the Plan. Unless stated herein, no Participant or other person shall acquire any rights, remedies, benefits or obligations. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.

              (9)OPTION AND SAR REPRICING.    Options and SARs may not be repriced, or replaced with any other award (including full-value awards), or repurchased for cash without the approval of the shareholders of the Company.

              (10)FORFEITURE/CLAWBACK.    The Committee may determine that any Award under this Plan shall be subject to provisions for the forfeiture and/or reimbursement of all amounts received in connection with an Award in the event of breach of noncompetition, nonsolicitation or confidentiality agreements. All Awards granted under this Plan are subject to recoupment, to the extent applicable, under the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, as may be revised from time to time, and/or any other recoupment, clawback or similar policy that may be approved by the Board or any committee thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, a Participant shall be required to reimburse the Company amounts received in connection with an Award to the extent required under Section 304


      of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

              (11)STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES/HOLDING PERIODS.    The Committee may require that any Stock acquired by a Participant in connection with an Award granted under this Plan shall be subject to stock ownership guidelines, a minimum holding period or similar requirement under which a Participant shall not be permitted to transfer, sell, pledge, hedge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any such Stock.

              b.    AWARDS REQUIRING EXERCISE

              (1)TIME AND MANNER OF EXERCISE.    Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, (a) an Award requiring exercise by the holder will not be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator receives a written notice of exercise (in a form acceptable to the Administrator) signed by the appropriate person and accompanied by any payment required under the Award or adequate provision therefore, as set forth in Section 4.b(3); and (b) if the Award is exercised by any person other than the Participant, the Administrator may require satisfactory evidence that the person exercising the Award has the right to do so.

              (2)EXERCISE PRICE.    The Administrator shall determine the exercise price of each Stock Option and SAR; PROVIDED, that each Stock Option and SARcard.Votes submitted electronically must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of the Stock subject to the Stock Option and SAR, determined as of the date of grant. An ISO granted to an Employee described in Section 422(b)(6) of the Code must have an exercise price that is not less than 110% of such fair market value.

              (3)PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE, IF ANY.    Where the exercise of an Award is to be accompanied by payment, the Administrator may determine the required or permitted forms of payment, subject to the following: (a) all payments will be by cash or check acceptable to the Administrator, or, if so permitted by the Administrator (with the consent of the optionee of an ISO if permitted after the grant), (i) through the delivery of shares of Stock which have been outstanding for at least six months (unless the Administrator approves a shorter period) and which have a fair market value equal to the exercise price, (ii) by delivery of a promissory note of the person exercising the Award to the Company, payable on such terms as are specified by the Administrator, (iii) if the Stock is publicly traded, by delivery of an unconditional and irrevocable undertaking by a broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms of payment; and (b) where shares of Stock issued under an Award are part of an original issue of shares, the Award shall require an exercise price equal to at least the par value of such shares.

              (4)GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS.    Each Stock Option awarded under the Plan shall be deemed to have been awarded as a non-ISO (and to have been so designated by its terms) unless the Administrator expressly provides for ISO treatment that the Stock Option is to be treated as an ISO.

              c.    AWARDS NOT REQUIRING EXERCISE

              Awards of Restricted Stock and Unrestricted Stock may be made in return for either (1) services determined by the Administrator to have a value not less than the par value of the Awarded shares of Stock, or (2) cash or other property having a value not less than the par value of the Awarded shares of Stock plus such additional amounts (if any) as the Administrator may determine payable in such combination and type of cash, other property (of any kind) or services as the Administrator may determine.


              d.    PERFORMANCE AWARDS

              Performance Awards may be granted to Participants as follows:

                (1)   Prior to the grant of any Performance Award, the Administrator shall establish for each such award (i) performance levels at which 100% of the award shall be earned and a range (which need not be the same for all awards) within which greater and lesser percentages shall be earned and (ii) a performance period (which shall not be less than 12 months) which shall be determined at time of grant.

                (2)   With respect to the performance levels to be established pursuant to Section 4.d(1), the specific measures for each grant shall be established by the Administrator at the time of such grant. In creating these measures, the Administrator may establish the specific goals based upon or relating to any Performance Criteria (as defined below).

                (3)   Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.d(5), the percentage of each Performance Award to be distributed to an employee shall be determined by the Administrator on the basis of the performance levels established for such award and on the basis of individual performance in satisfaction of the Performance Award during such period. Any Performance Award, as determined and adjusted pursuant to this Section and Sections 4.d(5-8) is herein referred to as a "Final Award". No distribution of any Final Award (or portion thereof) shall be made if the minimum performance level applicable to the related Performance Award is not achieved during the applicable performance period or, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, if the employment of the employee to whom the related Performance Award was granted shall terminate for any reason whatsoever (including Disability and death) within 12 months after the date the Performance Award was granted.

                (4)   All Final Awards which have vested in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4.d.(5-10) shall be granted as soon as practicable following the end of the related vesting period. Final awards shall be granted in the form of Restricted Stock, Unrestricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Cash Performance Awards, or cash or any combination thereof, as the Administrator shall determine.

                (5)   Payment of any Final Award (or portion thereof) to an individual employee shall be subject to the continued rendering of services as an employee (unless this condition is waived by the Administrator). If the Administrator shall determine that such employee has failed to satisfy such conditions precedent, all Performance Awards granted to such employee which have not become Final Awards, and all Final Awards which have not been paid pursuant to Section 4.d(10) shall be immediately canceled. Upon termination of an employee's employment other than by Disability or death (whether such termination is before or after a Performance Award shall have become a Final Award), the Administrator may, but shall not in any case be required to, waive the condition precedent of continuing to render services.

                (6)   If, upon termination of an employee's employment prior to the end of any performance period for a reason other than Disability or death, the Administrator shall determine to waive the condition precedent of continuing to render services as provided in Section 4.d(5), the Performance Award granted to such employee with respect to such performance period shall be reduced pro rata based on the number of months remaining in the performance period after the month of such termination and such awards will be paid at the time they would have been paid absent an employment termination, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or provided for in an award agreement. The Final Award for such employee shall be determined by the Administrator (i) on the basis of the performance levels established for such award (including the minimum performance level) and the performance level achieved through the end of the performance period and (ii) in the discretion of the Administrator, on the basis of individual


        performance during the period prior to such termination. A qualifying leave of absence, determined in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator, shall not be deemed to be a termination of employment but, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the employee's Performance Award will be reduced pro rata based on the number of months during which such person was on such leave of absence during the performance period. A Performance Award shall not vest during a leave of absence granted an employee for local, state, provincial, or federal government service.

                (7)   Upon termination of an employee's employment by reason of Disability or death prior to the end of any performance period, the Performance Award granted to such employee with respect to such performance period, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.d(3), shall be reduced pro rata based on the number of months remaining in the performance period after the month of such employee's Disability or death. The percentage of the reduced Performance Award to be distributed to such employee shall be determined by the Administrator (i) on the basis of the performance levels established for such award (including the minimum performance level) and the performance level achieved through the end of the fiscal year during which such employee became Disabled or died and (ii) in the discretion of the Administrator, on the basis of individual performance during the applicable period. Such Final Awards will immediately vest and be paid as promptly as practicable.

                (8)   If an employee is promoted during the performance period with respect to any Performance Award, such Performance Award may, in the discretion of the Administrator, be increased to reflect such employee's new responsibilities.

                (9)   Performance Awards that have become Final Awards may be subject to a vesting schedule established by the Administrator. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, no Final Award (or portion thereof) subject to a vesting schedule shall be paid prior to vesting and the unpaid portion of any Final Award shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.d(5). The Administrator shall have the authority to modify a vesting schedule as may be necessary or appropriate in order to implement the purposes of this Plan.

                (10) No holder of a Performance Award shall have any rights to dividends or interest or other rights of a stockholder with respect to a Performance Award prior to such Performance Award's becoming a Final Award.

                (11) To the extent that any employee, former employee, or any other person acquires a right to receive payments or distributions under this Plan with respect to a Performance Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. All payments and distributions to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any employee, former employee, or any other person.

      5.     EFFECT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

              a.    MERGERS, ETC.    Other than in connection with Awards that are denominated and subject to settlement in cash, Awards shall not vest in connection with a Covered Transaction unless such Covered Transaction is accompanied by a "double trigger event". For this purpose, a "double trigger event" occurs in connection with a Covered Transaction if (i) the Award is not appropriately assumed nor an equivalent award substituted by the surviving, continuing, successor or purchasing company or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be, (ii) cash or cash equivalents are the sole or primary form of consideration to be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 8, 2023.OnlineGo to www.investorvote.com/CRL or scan the shareholder of the Company and (iii) at the time of, or within 12 months following the Covered Transaction, the Participant incurs a termination of employment without Cause or for Good Reason.


              Upon a Covered Transaction "double trigger event": (i)QR code — login details are located in the case of a Stock Option or SAR, the Stock Option or SAR shall become fully vestedshaded bar below.Save paper, time and exercisable immediately upon the occurrence of the double trigger event; (ii) in the case of Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or restricted stock units (in each case other than an award of Restricted Stock, award of Deferred Stock or award of restricted stock units that is a Performance Award), the restriction period shall lapse and the Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock or restricted stock unit (as applicable) shall fully vest immediately upon the occurrence of the double trigger event; and (iii) in the case of a Performance Award, payment under the Award shall be subject to the terms set forth in the applicable award agreement.

              b.    CHANGES IN AND DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE STOCK

              (1)BASIC ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.    In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the Company's capital structure, the Administrator will make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares that may be delivered under the Plan under Section 2.a and to the maximum share limits described in Section 2.c, and will also make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise prices relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change.

              (2)CERTAIN OTHER ADJUSTMENTS.    The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in paragraph (1) above to take into account distributions to common stockholders other than those providedmoney!Sign up for in Section 5.a and 5.b (1), or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan and to preserve the value of Awards made hereunder; PROVIDED, that no such adjustment shall be made to the maximum share limits described in Section 2.c nor shall any change be made to ISOs except to the extent consistent with their continued qualification under Section 422 of the Code.

              (3)CONTINUING APPLICATION OF PLAN TERMS.    References in the Plan to shares of Stock shall be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.b(1) or 5.b(2) above.

      6.     LEGAL CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK

              The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan until the Company's counsel has approved all legal matters in connection with the issuance andelectronic delivery of such shares; if the outstanding Stock is at the time of delivery listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or waived. If the sale of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of such Act. The Company may require that certificates evidencing Stock issued under the Plan bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock.

      7.     AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

              The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, or may at any time terminate the Plan as to any further grants of Awards; PROVIDED, that (except to the extent expressly required or permitted by the Plan) no such amendment will, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, effectuate a change for which stockholder approval is required under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (which includes any "material revision" as defined under the rules of the New York Stock


      Exchange) or in order for the Plan to continue to qualify under Section 422 of the Code and to have an Award comply with, or avoid adverse consequences under, Section 409A of the Code.

      8.     NON-LIMITATION OF THE COMPANY'S RIGHTS

              The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award shall not in any way affect the Company's right to award a person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan.

      9.     COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW

              If any provision of the Plan or any applicable award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the applicable award agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such applicable award agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

      10.   DATA PRIVACY

              The Company, any Affiliate and Committee may collect, process, transmit and store, in any form whatsoever, any data of a professional or personal nature described in the Plan, the applicable award agreement and any other grant or plan administration materials by and among, as applicable, the Company or any Affiliate that is necessary, in the discretion of the Company or any Affiliate, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant's participation in the Plan. The Company and any Affiliate may share such information with any third party in any country, including any trustee, registrar, administrative agent, broker, stock plan service provider or any other person assisting the Company with the implementation, administration, and management of the Awards and the Plan. The Company, any Affiliate, the Committee and any possible recipients described herein may receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the data in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose described herein. The Participant may refuse to provide consent or authorization, or may withdraw such consent or authorization, regarding the matters described in this Section 10; PROVIDED, however, that such refusal or withdrawal may affect the Participant's ability to participate in the Plan.

      11.   GOVERNING LAW

              The Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts without reference to principles of conflicts of laws.

      12.   DEFINED TERMS.

              The following terms, when used in the Plan, shall have the meanings and be subject to the provisions set forth below:

              "2007 Plan". The Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 2007 Incentive Plan as from time to time amended and in effect.

              "2016 Plan": The Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 2016 Incentive Plan as from time to time amended and in effect.

              "ADMINISTRATOR": The Board or, if one or more has been appointed, the Committee. With respect to ministerial tasks deemed appropriate by the Board or Committee, the term "Administrator" shall also include such persons (including Employees) to whom the Board or Committee shall have delegated such tasks.


              "AFFILIATE": Any corporation or other entity owning, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding Stock of the Company, or in which the Company or any such corporation or other entity owns, directly or indirectly, 50% of the outstanding capital stock (determined by aggregate voting rights) or other voting interests.

              "AWARD": Any or a combination of the following (which shall include any Final Award with respect to the following):

        (i)
        Stock Options.

        (ii)
        SARs.

        (iii)
        Restricted Stock.

        (iv)
        Unrestricted Stock.

        (v)
        Deferred Stock.

        (vi)
        Cash Performance Awards.

        (vii)
        Other Performance Awards.

              "BOARD": The Board of Directors of the Company.

              "CASH PERFORMANCE AWARD": A Performance Award payable in cash. The right of the Company under Section 4.a(3) (subject to the consent of the holder of the Award as therein provided) to extinguish an Award in exchange for cash or the exercise by the Company of such right shall not make an Award otherwise not payable in cash a Cash Performance Award.

              "CAUSE": Unless otherwise provided for in a Participant's written agreement with the Company, "Cause"" for termination by the Company of the Participant's employment shall mean (i) the willful and continued failure by the Participant to perform the Participant's duties with the Company, (ii) a substantial and not de minimis violation of the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (and any successor policy), as the same are in effect from time to time, (iii) the Participant's conviction of a felony or (iv) engaging in conduct that constitutes a violation of any (x) confidential agreements with the Company or (y) confidentiality policies applicable to the Participant.

              "CODE": The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as from time to time amended and in effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect.

              "COMMITTEE": One or more committees of the Board (including any subcommittee thereof) appointed or authorized to make Awards and otherwise to administer the Plan.

              "COMPANY": Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

              "COVERED TRANSACTION": Any of (i) a consolidation, merger or other transaction which results in any individual, entity or "group" (within the meaning of section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) acquiring the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly of more than 50% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, (ii) at any time during a period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board and any new member of the Board whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of members of the Board, (iii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company's assets, or (iv) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company.


              "DEFERRED STOCK": A promise to deliver Stock, other securities or other property in the future on specified terms to a Participant (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a director of the Company).

              "DISABILITY": With respect to any Participant, "disability" as defined in such Participant's employment agreement, if any, or if not so defined, except as otherwise provided in such Participant's award agreement:

        (i)
        a Participant's inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or

        (ii)
        a Participant is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under the Company's accident and health plan.

              "EMPLOYEE": Any person who is employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

              "FULL-VALUE AWARD": an Award other than an Option or SAR, and which is settled by the issuance of shares of Stock or the value of the stated number of shares in cash.

              "FUNGIBLE POOL UNIT": the measuring unit used for purposes of the Plan, as specified in Section 2, to determine the number of Shares which may be subject to Awards hereunder, which shall consist of Shares in the proportions (ranging from 1.0 to 2.3) as set forth in Section 2.a.

              "GOOD REASON": Unless otherwise provided for in a Participant's written agreement with the Company, Good Reason for termination by the Participant of the Participant's employment shall mean the occurrence (without the Participant's express written consent) of any one of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act, unless in the case of any act or failure to act described in paragraph (i), (iii) or (iv) below, such act or failure to act is corrected prior to the date of termination:

        (i)
        the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent with the Participant's position and responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Covered Transaction;

        (ii)
        a reduction by the Company in the Participant's annual base salary as in effect on the date of the Covered Transaction;

        (iii)
        the failure by the Company to continue in effect any compensation plan in which the Participant participates immediately prior to the Covered Transaction which is material to the Participant's total compensation, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan, or the failure by the Company to continue the Participant's participation therein (or in a substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Participant's participation relative to other participants, as existed at the time of the Covered Transaction;

        (iv)
        the failure by the Company to continue to provide the Participant with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by the Participant under any of the Company's pension, life insurance, medical, health and accident, or disability plans in which the Participant was participating at the time of the Covered Transaction, the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Participant of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by the Participant at the time of the Covered Transaction, or the failure by the Company to provide the Participant with the number of paid vacation days to which the Participant is entitled on the basis of years of

          service with the Company in accordance with the Company's normal vacation policy in effect at the time of the Covered Transaction; or

        (v)
        the Company's requiring the Participant to relocate to an office or location more than fifty (50) miles distant from the office or location at which the Participant was based immediately prior to the date of termination.

              "ISO": A Stock Option intended to be an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

              "PARTICIPANT": An Employee, director or other person providing services to the Company or its Affiliates who is granted an Award under the Plan.

              "PERFORMANCE AWARD": An Award subject to Performance Criteria (including any Award that is a Final Award distributed in satisfaction of the vesting of a Performance Award that was subject to Performance Criteria).

              "PERFORMANCE CRITERIA": Specified criteria the satisfaction of which is a condition for the exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award. A Performance Criterion measure and targets with respect thereto determined by the Administrator need not be based upon an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance of loss.

              "PLAN": The Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan as from time to time amended and in effect.

              "PREEXISTING PLANS": Any plan of the Company or its predecessors in existence at or prior to the Effective Date under which equity, equity-based or performance cash awards were granted, including, without limitation, the following: (1) the 2007 Plan and (2) the 2016 Plan. For the purposes of this definition, "preexisting plans" shall not refer to the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (EICP).

              "RESTRICTED STOCK": An Award of Stock subject to restrictions requiring that such Stock be redelivered to the Company if specified conditions are not satisfied.

              "SARS": Rights entitling the holder upon exercise to receive cash or Stock, as the Administrator determines, equal to a function (determined by the Administrator using such factors as it deems appropriate) of the amount by which the Stock has appreciated in value since the date of the Award.

              "STOCK": Common Stock of the Company.

              "STOCK OPTIONS": Options entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the exercise price.

              "UNRESTRICTED STOCK": An Award of Stock not subject to any restrictions under the Plan.

      13.   SECTION 409A OF THE CODE

              To the extent applicable, Awards granted under the Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and the Administrator shall interpret and administer the Plan in accordance therewith. In addition, any provision in this Plan document that is determined to violate the requirements of Section 409A shall be void and without effect. In addition, any provision that is required to appear in this Plan document that is not expressly set forth shall be deemed to be set forth herein, and such Plan shall be administered in all respects as if such provisions were expressly set forth. The Administrator shall have the authority unilaterally to accelerate or delay a payment to which the holder of any Award may be entitled to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with, or avoid adverse consequences under, Section 409A (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with regard to an individual deemed to be a "specified employee" under Section 409A of the Code who has received an


      amount hereunder deemed to be "deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee that this Plan, any Awards or any payments with respect thereto are in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

      14.   EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

              The Plan shall be effective as of the date of its approval by the Board, subject to its approval by the stockholders of the Company (the "Effective Date").

      15.   AWARDS UNDER PREEXISTING PLANS

              Upon approval of the Plan by stockholders of the Company as contemplated under Section 14, no further awards shall be granted under the Preexisting Plans; PROVIDED, however, that any shares that have been forfeited, cancelled or otherwise not delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable award under a Preexisting Plan may be subsequently again awarded in accordance with the terms of the Plan. For purposes of clarity, the number of shares that relate to an Award under the Preexisting Plans is the maximum number of shares that can be delivered with respect to such Award.



      French Schedule

      1      Application and Purpose

              This French Schedule includes special terms and conditions applicable to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards granted to Participants situated and/or employed in France. These terms and conditions are in addition to, or if so indicated, in place of, the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan.

              The purpose of this French Schedule is to make certain variations to the terms of the Plan, in order to satisfy French securities laws, exchange control, corporate law and tax requirements, especially the provisions of Articles L. 225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code and article 135 of the Macron Law (loi n° 2015-990 du 6 août 2015 pour la croissance, l'activité et l'égalité des chances économiques as amended by the 2017 and 2018 Finance bills respectively n° 2016-1917 dated December 29, 2016 and n° 2017-1837 dated December 30, 2017), so that Qualified Deferred Stock Awards may qualify for favorable income tax and social security treatment in France (provided by article 80quaterdecies of the French Tax Code and article L242-1 of the French Social Security Code).

              The rules of the Plan shall apply, subject to the modifications contained in this French Schedule, whenever the Administrator decides to grant Qualified Deferred Stock Awards to Eligible French Employees under this French Schedule. In all other circumstances, where other forms of Awards (other than Qualified Deferred Stock Award) are granted to Eligible French Employees, the rules of the Plan, unamended by this French Schedule, shall apply.

              The amendments to the Plan set out in this French Schedule shall only apply in respect of Qualified Deferred Stock Awards granted in accordance with this French Schedule.

              This French Schedule has been approved by the shareholders of the Company (as the empowered foreign corporate body) on 8 May 2018, as required by the French tax authorities.

      2      Terms and Meanings of Words Used

              Unless provided otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used but not defined in this French Schedule shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan.

              The terms of Qualified Deferred Stock Awards under this French Schedule shall be the same as those for Deferred Stock awards under the Plan, except to the extent that this French Schedule provides to the contrary. References to Deferred Stock awards in the Plan shall apply to, and include, Qualified Deferred Stock Awards, save where expressed not to apply, or save where modified by the terms of this French Schedule (in which case, the terms shall apply as modified).

              References to eligible Employees in the Plan shall apply to Eligible French Employees and references to Participants in the Plan shall apply to French Participants, save where expressed not to apply, or save where modified by the terms of this French Schedule (in which case, the terms shall apply as modified).

              The following definitions shall apply to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards granted in accordance with this French Schedule:

              "CLOSED PERIOD": has the meaning given in Article L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code, as:

        (i)
        ten quotation days preceding and three quotation days following the disclosure to the public of the consolidated financial statements or the annual statements of the Company; or

        (ii)
        any period during which the corporate management of the Company possesses material information which could, if disclosed to the public, significantly impact the quotation of the Stock, until ten quotation days after the day such information is disclosed to the public.

      "ELIGIBLE FRENCH EMPLOYEE": means an employee of a French Subsidiary (or a French branch of a non-French Group Member), or a corporate officer of a French Subsidiary (or a French branch of a non-French Group Member) who holds the duties of chairman of the board, general manager, deputy general manager, member of the directory board, or manager (respectivelyprésident du conseil d'administration, directeur général, directeur général délégué, membre du directoire orgérant).

              "FRENCH PARTICIPANT": means individuals who have been granted Qualified Deferred Stock Awards.

              "GRANT DATE": means the date on which a Qualified Deferred Stock Award is granted to an Eligible French Employee by the Administrator.

              "GROUP": means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and"Group Member" shall be interpreted accordingly.

              "HOLDING PERIOD": means such period (applicable under article L225-197-1 of the French commercial code) following the vesting of the Qualified Deferred Stock Award as the Administrator may determine, which shall not expire until at least 2 years after the Grant Date.

              "QUALIFIED DEFERRED STOCK AWARD": means a Deferred Stock award granted to an Eligible French Employee which is intended to satisfy French securities laws, exchange control, corporate law and tax requirements (especially the provisions of Articles L. 225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code) in order to qualify for favorable income tax and social security treatment in France (articles 80quaterdecies of French Tax Code and L.242-1 of French Social Security Code) and which, for the avoidance of doubt, can be subject to Performance Criteria.

              "SUBSIDIARY": has the meaning given in Article L. 225-197-2 of the French Commercial Code, as:

        (i)
        a company in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, at least 10 per cent of the share capital or voting rights;

        (ii)
        a company holding directly or indirectly at least 10 per cent of the share capital or voting rights of the Company; or

        (iii)
        a company for which at least 50 per cent of the share capital or voting rights are held by a company which holds at least 50 per cent of the share capital of the Company.

              "VESTING PERIOD": means such period (applicable under article L225-197-1 of the French commercial code) as determined by the Administrator, which shall not be less than 12 months from the Grant Date, and at the end of which, the French Participant will become entitled to have the Stock delivered to or to the order of him/her.

              The following definition shall apply to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards granted in accordance with this French Schedule and shall replace the definition as it appears at Section 12 of the Plan:

              "DISABILITY": has the meaning given in the second or third category of Article L.341-4 of the French Code of Social Security.

      3      Limits on awards under the Plan

              The following wording is inserted immediately following the end of the Section 2.a. of the Plan, as follows:

              "Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan rules, if, at the Grant Date, the total number of Stock granted subject to Awards made under the Plan and any other employee stock plan of the Company, where such Awards are granted subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Articles L.225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code and are, or are similar in substance to, a conditional right to acquire


      stock (other than an option) for no or limited cost (up to 5 percent of the fair market value of the stock), shall exceed10 percentof the issued ordinary share capital of the issuing Company, Qualified Deferred Stock Awards may only be granted over such number of Stock as does not exceed a ratio of one to five between the smallest and largest awards of Qualified Deferred Stock Awards.

      However, this relevant percentage is increased to 30 percent, if at the same time, awards are granted under the Plan, or awards are granted under any other stock plan of a Group Member, to all Eligible French Employees employed by a French Group Member or a French branch of a non-French Group Member."

              The following wording is inserted immediately following the end of the Section 2.c. of the Plan, as follows:

      "No Qualified Deferred Stock Award shall be granted to an Eligible French Employee who holds 10 percent or more (including any outstanding Awards) under the Plan or outstanding awards under any other employee share plan operated by the Group where such Awards or awards (as applicable) are, or are similar in substance to, a conditional right to acquire shares, other than non-exercised options) of the share capital of the Company, or who may hold, as the result of the Qualified Deferred Stock Award, 10 percent or more of the share capital of the Company."

      4      Eligibility and Participation

              Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan rules, Qualified Deferred Stock Awards may only be granted to Eligible French Employees.

      5      Alternative Settlement

              Section 4.a.(3) of the Plan is deleted in it its entirety.

      6      Vesting Period

              The following wording is inserted immediately following Section 4.a.(5) of the Plan, as follows:

      "The Vesting Period for Qualified Deferred Stock Award shall not be less than 12 months, so that the ownership of the Qualified Deferred Stock Award cannot be transferred to, or to the order of, the French Employees before the expiry of a minimum one year period from their Grant Date.

      During the Vesting Period, the delivery of Stock must remain conditional and may also be subject to the Performance Criteria, which means that the Eligible French Employees only hold a contractual right towards the Company and are not entitled to any shareholder's right during the Vesting Period (no rights to dividend (even through an equivalent bonus whose payment would be deferred), no voting rights)."

      7      Dividend Equivalents

              The first sentence of Section 4.a.(7) of the Plan is deleted in its entirety.

      8      Holding Period

              A new Section 4.a.(12) is inserted immediately following Section 4.a.(11) of the Plan, as follows:

      "HOLDING PERIOD. The Administrator may determine that a Holding Period shall apply to a Qualified Deferred Stock Award, during which period the Stock acquired by the French Participant following vesting of the Qualified Deferred Stock Award (or any interest in them) may not be sold, transferred, assigned, mortgaged, charged or otherwise disposed of by, or on behalf of, the French Participant, except for a transfer to the French Participant's legal personal representatives in the event of his death.


      To the extent that a Qualified Deferred Stock Award vests less than two years after the Grant Date, the Stock acquired on vesting shall be subject to a Holding Period, so that there is a two-year period between the Grant Date and the date that the Stock may be freely disposed of by the French Participant, as required by Article L.225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code.

      During the Holding Period, the Stock may be delivered to the French Participant, provided he shall agree not to sell, transfer, assign, mortgage, charge or otherwise dispose of the Stock (or any interest in them) during the Holding Period; or a nominee on behalf of the French Participant, provided that the beneficial ownership of the Stock vests in the French Participant and subject to a restriction on sale, transfer, assignment, mortgaging, charging or other disposal of such Stock (or any interest in them)."

      9      Closed Period

              A new Section 4.a.(13) is inserted immediately following Section 4.a.(12) of the Plan, as follows:

      "CLOSED PERIOD. After the expiration of the Holding Period (if applicable), Stock transferred to a French Participant in satisfaction of a Qualified Deferred Stock Award cannot be sold or transferred by or on behalf of a French Employee during a Closed Period."

      10    Cessation of employment

              Sections 4.a.(5)(A), 4.d.(5) to 4.d.(7) of the Plan continue to apply to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards, where relevant, if a French Participant ceases to be employee, except that a new Section 4.d.(12) is inserted immediately following Section 4.d.(11) of the Plan, as follows:

      "Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan rules, the Plan shall, in no circumstances, have the effect of accelerating the Vesting Period or disapplying the Holding Period in circumstances where there would be a less than two year period between the Grant Date and the date that the Stock may be freely disposed of by the French Participant, except in the two following cases:

        Death of the French Participant

      If a French Participant dies before his Qualified Deferred Stock Award has vested, his Qualified Deferred Stock Award shall vest immediately and any applicable Holding Period will fall away. The Qualified Deferred Stock Award may only be adjusted in such proportion as determined by the Administrator in its absolute discretion after taking into account the Performance Criteria. The Qualified Deferred Stock Award cannot be adjusted for any other criteria e.g. for time. The heirs of the deceased French Participant can require the vesting within six months from the date of death, as provided by the article L225-197-3 of the French commercial code.

      Where, after a Qualified Deferred Stock Award has vested but before the expiry of any applicable Holding Period, the French Participant dies, his Stock shall cease to be subject to the Holding Period.

        Disability of the French Participant

      Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan rules, if a French Participant ceases to be in employment due to Disability before his Qualified Deferred Stock Award has vested all or a proportion of his Qualified Deferred Stock Award may vest immediately, in such proportion as determined by the Administrator in its absolute discretion, having regard to the satisfaction of the Performance Criteria and any other condition as at the time of cessation of employment, and such other factors as the Administrator may consider relevant. If a French Participant ceases to be in employment due to Disability before his Qualified Deferred Stock Award has vested, the Holding Period shall fall away.


      If the French Participant ceases to be in employment due to Disability after the vesting but before the expiry of any applicable Holding Period, his Stock shall cease to be subject to the Holding Period on the date of cessation of his employment."

      11    Effect of certain transactions

              The following wording is inserted immediately following the end of the Sections 5.a of the Plan, as follows:

              "To the extent that the Administrator intends for the Qualified Deferred Stock Awards to retain favorable tax and social security treatment under this French Schedule, Sections 5.a and 5.b shall apply to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards in accordance with the provisions of Articles L. 225-197-1-III of the French Commercial Code and 80 quaterdecies of the French Tax Code, and shall be modified or interpreted in order to comply with these provisions."

              The following wording is inserted immediately following the end of the Section 5.b of the Plan, as follows:

      "If the share capital of the Company is modified during the Vesting Period or Holding Period, the Qualified Deferred Stock Awards may be adjusted as appropriate to ensure that there is no impact on the French Participants' Qualified Deferred Stock Awards, provided that such adjustment has the sole purpose and effect of preserving the value of Qualified Deferred Stock Awards and that additional Stock which could be issued as a result remains subject to the same requirements (including the vesting and holding requirements) as those applying to the original Qualified Deferred Stock Award".

      12    Taxes

              A new rule is inserted immediately following the end of Section 4.a.(6) of the Plan, as follows:

      "The preceding paragraph does not apply to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards. A French Participant is responsible for paying any relevant taxes and reporting the receipt of any income under the French Schedule, however made, to the relevant tax authority".

      13    Amendment and termination

              The following wording is inserted immediately following the end of the Section 7 of the Plan, as follows:

              "Except as permitted in this Section 7, an amendment to the provisions of the Plan may only be applied to Qualified Deferred Stock Awards already granted to the extent that:

        the proposed change does not affect the qualifying status of the Qualified Deferred Stock Awards for French tax and social security purposes; and

        if the change would adversely affect the existing rights of the French Participants, affected French Participants' prior consent is obtained."

      14    Cross references

              Unless specified otherwise, where a deletion, addition or amendment is made to the rules by this French Schedule, other references throughout the rules and this French Schedule to those additional, amended or deleted Rules (as appropriate) are deemed to be included, modified or deleted accordingly.


      15    Conclusion

              The following paragraphs are inserted immediately following Section 11 in the Plan, as follows:

              "It is intended that Deferred Stock awards granted to Eligible French Employees shall qualify for the special tax and social security treatment applicable to free shares granted under articles L. 225-197-1 to L.225-197-6 of the French Commercial Code and in accordance with the relevant provisions set forth by the French tax and social security laws (article 80 quaterdecies of the French Tax Code and article L.242-1 of the French Social security Code). Accordingly, the rules, the terms of the French Schedule and the terms upon which a Deferred Stock award has been granted shall be interpreted and, where necessary, deemed to be modified, in accordance with the relevant provisions set forth by French laws, as well as the relevant administrative provisions.

      If for any reason a Deferred Stock award does not satisfy the requirements of the French tax authorities for favorable income tax and social security treatment, and therefore does not qualify as a Qualified Deferred Stock Award, the Company or Administrator can take such actions, including (but not limited to) changing the Vesting Period and/or the Holding Period of the Deferred Stock award, as it considers reasonably necessary to achieve such treatment, and the rules, the terms of the French Schedule and the terms of the Qualified Deferred Stock Award shall be interpreted and, where necessary, modified accordingly. The Company and any Group Member shall not be liable for any adverse consequences, legal, tax or otherwise, if and to the extent that Deferred Stock awards do not qualify as Qualified Deferred Stock Awards."


      NNNNNNNNNNNN . MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000004 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 Usingatwww.investorvote.com/CRLUsing a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Pleaseexample.Please do not write outside the designated areas. q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION,areas.Annual Meeting Proxy Card IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q ProposalsAProposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 and 4, ONE YEARon Proposal 3 and 4. AGAINST Proposal 5.+1. Election of Directors: 01For AgainstAbstainFor Against AbstainFor Against Abstain01 - James C. Foster For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 02Foster02 - Nancy C. Andrews03 - Robert J. Bertolini 03 - Stephen D. Chubb 04Bertolini04 - Deborah T. Kochevar 05Kochevar05 - George Llado, Sr.06 - Martin W. MacKay 06 - Jean-Paul Mangeolle 07Mackay07 - George E. Massaro 08 - George M. Milne, Jr. 09Massaro08 - C. Richard Reese 10Reese09 - Craig B. Thompson 11Thompson11 - Virginia M. Wilson10 - Richard F. Wallman ForWallman2. Advisory Approval of 2022 Executive Officer CompensationFor Against Abstain ForAgainst Abstain 2. SayAbstain3. Advisory Vote on Pay - An advisory vote to approve our executive compensation. 4.the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on1 Year 2 Years3 YearsAbstainExecutive Compensation4. Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC as independent5. Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registeredpublish a report on non-human primates imported byForAgainstAbstainregistered public accountantsaccounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018. For Against Abstain 3. Approval of 2018 Incentive Plan. Authorized2023Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.BAuthorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below PleaseBelowPlease sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Datetitle.Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signaturebelow.Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signaturebox.Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. NNNNNNNC 1234567890 J N T 0 7 4 9 1 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND + 1box.1 U P X3 7 02SU6B NNNNNNNNN B A Annual Meeting Proxy Card X IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

      03S8KC


      . q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION,[MISSING IMAGE: px_proxypg2-bw.jpg]

      Small steps make an impact.Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.investorvote.com/CRL IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + Proxy — CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.+251 Ballardvale Street Wilmington,StreetWilmington, MA 01887 (781) 222-6000 PROXY01887(781) 222-6000PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS — MAY 8, 2018 THIS9, 2023THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. TheINC.The undersigned, revoking any previous proxies relating to these shares, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 20189, 2023 at the offices of Cooley LLP, 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 and hereby appoints James C. Foster, David R. Smith and David P. Johst,Matthew L. Daniel, Flavia Pease, and each of them (with full power to act alone), the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution to each, to vote all shares of the Common Stock of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. registered in the name provided herein which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 20182023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and at any adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would have if personally present. Without limiting the general authorization hereby given, said proxies are, and each of them is, instructed to vote or act as follows on the proposals set forth in said Proxy. ThisProxy.This Proxy may be revoked by the person giving it any time before its use by delivering to us a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any shareholder who has executed a Proxy but is present at the Annual Meeting, and who wishes to vote in person, may do so by revoking his or her Proxy as described in the preceding sentence. Thissentence.This Proxy when executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made this Proxy will be voted FOR all director nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 4, ONE YEAR on Proposal 3 and 4.AGAINST Proposal 5. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. CONTINUEDthereof.CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE Non-Voting Items ChangeSIDECNon-Voting ItemsChange of Address — Please print new address below. Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. + C


      NNNNNNNNNNNN . Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2,0001100682 3 and 4. + 1. Election of Directors: 01 - James C. Foster For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 02 - Robert J. Bertolini 03 - Stephen D. Chubb 04 - Deborah T. Kochevar 05 - Martin W. MacKay 06 - Jean-Paul Mangeolle 07 - George E. Massaro 08 - George M. Milne, Jr. 09 - C. Richard Reese 10 - Craig B. Thompson 11 - Richard F. Wallman For Against Abstain ForAgainst Abstain 2. Say on Pay - An advisory vote to approve our executive compensation. 4. Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2018. For Against Abstain 3. Approval of 2018 Incentive Plan. Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. + 1 U P X 3 7 0 7 4 9 2 02SU7B NNNNNNNNN B A Annual Meeting Proxy Card X IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

      2022-01-01 2022-12-31


      . q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Proxy — CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 251 Ballardvale Street Wilmington, MA 01887 (781) 222-6000 PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS — MAY 8, 2018 THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. The undersigned, revoking any previous proxies relating to these shares, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the offices of Cooley, LLP, 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 and hereby appoints James C. Foster, David R. Smith and David P. Johst, and each of them (with full power to act alone), the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution to each, to vote all shares of the Common Stock of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. registered in the name provided herein which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and at any adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would have if personally present. Without limiting the general authorization hereby given, said proxies are, and each of them is, instructed to vote or act as follows on the proposals set forth in said Proxy. This Proxy may be revoked by the person giving it any time before its use by delivering to us a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any shareholder who has executed a Proxy but is present at the Annual Meeting, and who wishes to vote in person, may do so by revoking his or her Proxy as described in the preceding sentence. This Proxy when executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made this Proxy will be voted FOR all director nominees and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE



      QuickLinks

      NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS to Be Held on May 8, 2018
      PROXY SUMMARY
      GENERAL INFORMATION
      PROPOSAL ONE— ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
      NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
      2017 Director Compensation
      BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
      SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
      PROPOSAL TWO—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
      PROPOSAL THREE—APPROVAL OF THE 2018 INCENTIVE PLAN
      COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
      REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
      2017 Summary Compensation Table
      2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
      Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2017 Year-End
      2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
      2017 Pension Benefits
      2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
      Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
      REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
      PROPOSAL FOUR— RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
      OTHER MATTERS
      CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO NON-GAAP EARNINGS(1) (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
      CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 2018 INCENTIVE PLAN Originally adopted by the Board of Directors On March 20, 2018
      French Schedule