New GSK CEO makes new appointments

UK-headquartered drug giant GlaxoSmithKline's Andrew Witty, who takes over as chief executive on May 22, has announced the appointment of Abbas Hussain as president of emerging markets. Mr Hussain joins the firm from US competitor Eli Lilly, where he was head of European operations for 20 years. Mr Witty will also expand the firm's executive committee from 14 to 17 members. The new team will include: Julian Heslop as chief financial officer; Moncef Slaoui as chairman of R&D; Chris Viehbacher as president of North American pharmaceuticals; Simon Blacknell as senior vice president, company secretary and compliance officer; John Clarke as president of consumer health care; Marc Dunoyer as president of Asia Pacific; Eddie Gray as president of European Pharmaceuticals; and Jean Stephenne as president and general manager of biologicals. These changes take effect on May 22, when Mr Witty takes over the company.