Walmsley to lead GSK's European consumer healthcare business

LONDON GlaxoSmithKline earlier this week named Emma Walmsley to the post of president, consumer healthcare Europe and president designate for its worldwide consumer healthcare business, effective May 1. Within two years, global leadership for the consumer healthcare business will pass to Walmsley from John Clarke, current president, worldwide consumer healthcare.

“Under [Clarke’s] leadership, consumer healthcare has become a key element in GSK’s strategy to deliver sustainable financial performance,” stated GSK CEO Andrew Witty. “[Walmsley’s] appointment comes at an important time as we seek to diversify and further grow this business. It is also continued evidence of our approach to maintain leadership excellence at GSK through proactive succession planning.”

Walmsley joins GSK from L’Oreal where she has been the leader of their consumer products business in China. Previously, Walmsley was based in New York where she had global responsibility for the mass-market Maybelline cosmetics business.

As president of GSK's European consumer healthcare business, Walmsley will have operational responsibility for GSK’s European business and brands, succeeding Manfred Scheske.