Charles Simmons
Vice President & Head of Corporate Development

Charles joined G&W in early 2016 and brings 20 years of extensive experience in corporate development and leadership. As Vice President and Head of Corporate Development at G&W, Charles is responsible for identifying and executing potential value-enhancing business combinations including acquisitions, joint ventures, and alliances. Charles works closely with Corporate Strategy and Business Development in identifying and managing the company’s pipeline of potential corporate development opportunities, while leading due diligence efforts and establishing a standard process for all deals and transactions.

Charles has led and executed complex business transactions and negotiations for leading global companies in the healthcare, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries. Most recently, Charles was President of Commercial Development and Operations for IDIS Pharma where he cultivated business critical partnerships and consolidated operations to support the successful sale of the company.  Prior to that, Charles was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Mars, Inc., a leading global consumer products company.  Before that, he spent 11 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb where he held several roles of increasing responsibility and leadership, culminating as Vice President of Corporate Development. While at BMS, Charles partnered with Jeremy Levin (former BMS senior executive and current CEO of Ovid Therapeutics) to execute one of the most successful business development strategies in the industry, known as the BMS “string of pearls.”

Charles earned his JD from Pace University School of Law, and his BA from Tufts University.

Charles resides in McLean, Virginia, with his wife and two daughters.