GlaxoSmithKline has made several changes to its corporate executive management team. The appointments will take effect on May 22 when Andrew Witty officially assumes the role of chief executive officer.
Mr. Witty remarked, "It is clear that our industry is facing a rapidly changing environment. Demand for innovative medicines and healthcare products continues to grow, however we are also presented with increasing challenges, such as cost containment, regulatory pressures and generic competition."
He emphasized the need for GSK's business regions to drive sales growth, and announced new operational structures to expand and improve the company's capability, particularly in emerging markets and in Asia.
"Emerging markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and the Middle East, are significant growth drivers of the future. They are already contributing close to 25% of today's market growth and are forecast to grow even faster in the future, around triple the rate of western countries. It is essential that we have an operating structure that is dynamic and responsive to the opportunities in these markets," said Mr. Witty. "I am therefore creating a new Emerging Markets region which will ensure that we devote the focus required to build on our excellent foundations in those markets and truly establish ourselves as a trusted, long-term partner, one that is actively working to address the specific healthcare needs in those countries," he said.
A new Asia Pacific region will also be created, which includes Japan and Australia. As part of the changes to business regions, GSK has realigned markets in North America (combining the U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican businesses) and has established new operational areas in Europe in an effort to maximize opportunities for growth.
The company's new corporate executive team includes:
Julian Heslop, chief financial officer;
Moncef Slaoui, chairman, R&D;
Chris Viehbacher, president, North American Pharmaceuticals;
Simon Bicknell, senior vice president, company secretary and compliance officer;
John Clarke, president, Consumer Healthcare;
Marc Dunoyer, president, Asia Pacific;
Eddie Gray, president, Pharmaceuticals Europe;
Abbas Hussain, president, Emerging Markets;
Duncan Learmouth, senior vice president, Corporate Communications & Global Community Partnerships;
Bill Louv, chief information officer;
Dan Phelan, chief of staff;
David Pulman, president, Global Manufacturing & Supply;
David Redfern, chief strategy officer;
Jean Stephenne, president and general manager, Biologicals;
Claire Thomas, senior vice president, Human Resources, senior vice president and general counsel.
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