Strategic growth leader brings deep M&A and pharma services expertise to accelerate next phase of expansion
West Palm Beach, FL, March 5, 2026 – Headlands Research, a leading multinational network of clinical trial sites, today announced the appointment of Jason Layton as Chief Growth Officer (CGO). Layton brings over 20 years of M&A and finance leadership, the last 15+ years focused exclusively on the pharmaceutical services industry.
“Jason’s experience across M&A, finance, and pharma services makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Kyle Burtnett, Chief Executive Officer of Headlands Research. “As we continue to expand our multinational footprint, his track record of driving strategic growth will help us scale with discipline and deliver consistent value for sponsors, research sites, and the communities we serve.”
As CGO, Layton will lead corporate development across Headlands Research’s site network. He will focus on strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and growth initiatives that strengthen the organization’s ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centered clinical trials, enabling Headlands to become the partner of choice for pharmaceutical sponsors, CROs, and study participants.
“Headlands has built an exceptional network with a clear mission and a differentiated value proposition,” said Layton. “Its focus on large-volume recruitment and diverse, inclusive populations helps sponsors generate high-quality data while creating a strong experience for participants. I’m excited to build on that foundation and expand our impact for biopharma partners and participants worldwide.”
Jason joins Headlands Research from Crosstree Capital, a boutique investment bank where he served as Managing Director and co-led the team’s Pharmaceutical Services practice. Prior to Crosstree, Layton was a partner at Jacobs Capital and held corporate development and finance leadership roles at PPD and IQVIA (formerly Quintiles). He also practiced as a corporate and M&A attorney for several years before pivoting to the clinical research industry. Layton holds a Bachelor’s degree from Duke University, a JD from Tulane Law School, and an MBA from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Layton’s appointment follows a strong year of expansion in 2025. Headlands announced a definitive agreement for THL Partners to acquire the company from funds managed by KKR to continue growth and investment in technology and centralized infrastructure. The company also expanded its footprint with the acquisition of CMRCenter in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and opened Headlands Research Twin Cities in Minneapolis, its 23rd fully owned site, extending sponsor access to diverse patient populations and supporting faster enrollment across therapeutic areas.
About Headlands Research
Headlands Research is a multinational integrated clinical trial site organization with a mission to improve lives by advancing innovative medical therapies. Its group of exceptional sites focuses on large-volume recruitment of diverse and specialty patient populations while delivering the highest quality data. Headlands Research’s principal investigators are proven industry leaders in their fields with expertise in a wide variety of indications. Utilizing expert recruitment strategies and access to diverse patients through its site databases and physician partnerships, Headlands Research has successfully completed more than 5,000 clinical trials. Additional information about the company is available at www.headlandsresearch.com.