Emma Walmsley

Emma Walmsley (born 1969) is a British business executive. She has been the chief executive officer (CEO) of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical company, since April 2017. Walmsley is the first woman to run a major pharmaceutical company.

Early life and education

Walmsley was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. She studied Classics and Modern Languages at Oxford University, one of the world's leading academic institutions.

Career

After graduating from Oxford, Walmsley worked for L'Oreal, a French cosmetics company, for 17 years. She held various general management roles in the company in the UK, Europe, and the United States.

In 2010, Walmsley joined GSK as President of Consumer Healthcare Europe. In 2015, she was appointed CEO of GSK Consumer Healthcare, a joint venture between GSK and Novartis, a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company.

In 2017, Walmsley succeeded Sir Andrew Witty as CEO of GSK, becoming the first woman to lead a major pharmaceutical company. Under her leadership, GSK has focused on strengthening its pharmaceuticals business by prioritizing research and development.

Personal life

Walmsley is married and has four children. She has been recognized for her leadership in the business world and her efforts to promote gender equality in the workplace.

See also

• List of chief executive officers
• Women in business

External links

• Emma Walmsley at GlaxoSmithKline