Meet Jacob Thaysen, CEO of Illumina, Inc. He started his role on September 25, 2023, after a solid background at Agilent Technologies, where he was a priority player in life sciences. With a master's degree from UC Berkeley, Jacob brings...

Meet Jacob Thaysen, CEO of Illumina, Inc. He started his role on September 25, 2023, after a solid background at Agilent Technologies, where he was a priority player in life sciences. With a master's degree from UC Berkeley, Jacob brings strong business skills to Illumina, leading the company's moves in genomics and personalized medicine. He’s made a name for himself by focusing on innovation and results-driven strategies. In 2023, his total compensation included a hefty sign-on bonus, which shows that the company sees him as a key player for the future. Jacob has a solid grasp of biotechnology and is noted for his clever business insights and hands-on leadership. Recently, he bought $1 million worth of Illumina shares to align himself with the company's goals, which shows he believes in where the company is heading. Keep an eye on him; Jacob is here to shake things up in genetic technology advice and leadership.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Illumina CEOs

I

Jacob Thaysen

CEO of Illumina

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

January 1, 1975 - 50 years ago

CEO of Illumina for

1 year 8 months (Sep 2023 - Present)

Previous Experience

Senior Vice President at Agilent Technologies

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Jacob Thaysen

Holdings

See how much did Jacob Thaysen make over time.

Jacob Thaysen's financial journey has interesting ups and downs, particularly with Illumina shares. Back in 2019, his net worth was tied to his holdings of over $200 million, reflecting a strong belief in the company. Fast forward to 2023, there...

Jacob Thaysen's financial journey has interesting ups and downs, particularly with Illumina shares. Back in 2019, his net worth was tied to his holdings of over $200 million, reflecting a strong belief in the company. Fast forward to 2023, there was a noticeable increase, reaching up to $464.68 million. Following his appointment as CEO, his wealth continues to rise, influenced partly by his strategy of purchasing shares within the first 90 days. This commitment reinforces his alignment with shareholders. The highs and lows of his holdings illustrate a strong connection and a significant trust in Illumina's future amidst the fluctuating market landscape. Understanding this background provides insight into how Jacob’s financial interests align with the company’s vision.

Mar 18, 2025

A

shares

A @ $123.10

I

shares

ILMN @ $85.16

Total Stock Sold

$8.18M

A

$8.18M

71,525 A shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Jacob Thaysen didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra A71,525 shares worth $6.52M.
This is -20.35% and $1.67M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Jacob Thaysen.

ILMN

29,702 shares

ILMN

Mar 5, 2024

Received

ILMN

$996.34K

ILMN at $135.93/share

Feb 22, 2024

Purchase

ILMN

7,531 shares

ILMN

Oct 5, 2023

Received

A

$2.01M

A at $155.14/share

Nov 30, 2022

Sale

A

$4.49M

A at $148.00/share

Nov 15, 2022

Received

A

$802.57K

A at $137.45/share

Sep 9, 2022

Sale

A

$749.18K

A at $127.43/share

Jun 2, 2022

Sale

A

$4.79M

A at $161.39/share

Nov 16, 2021

Received

A

$2.33M

A at $142.90/share

Jun 10, 2021

Sale

A

$3.10M

A at $109.86/share

Nov 17, 2020

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Jacob Thaysen make over time.

In 2023, Jacob Thaysen received a total compensation of $691,233. His base salary was set at $250,000, but the real spotlight was on his sign-on bonus of $500,000 meant to compensate for what he left behind at his previous job. This shows the company's confidence in him as a leader. Even though he didn’t have stock awards vest in 2023, he was granted $3,894,603 in stock awards through Performance Stock Units (PSUs). Starting in 2024, he is set to hit the ground running with a new package allowing him to earn up to $10 million in equity grants per year, heavily tied to performance measures, showing that his success is directly linked to the company's well-being. This unique compensation plan shows how his goals align with those of the business and its shareholders, creating a win-win situation for both sides.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$796.63K

Salary

$250.00K

Board Justification

The compensation package is designed to align with stockholder interests, with a significant portion tied to performance metrics and long-term equity incentives.

Bonus

$500.00K

Board Justification

Sign-on bonus to make Mr. Thaysen whole for the bonus he forfeited with his prior employer, subject to clawback if he leaves within two years.

Other

$46.63K

Board Justification

Includes relocation costs and other benefits.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSU)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2023 as the RSUs and PSUs granted will vest in future periods.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include relative TSR and EPS targets for PSUs.

Other Illumina CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Illumina

Charles Dadswell

Ex-CEO of Illumina

June 2023 - September 2023