Ms Walmsley joins GSK from L’Oreal where she has been the leader of their consumer products business in China. Previously, she was based in New York where she had global responsibility for the mass-market Maybelline cosmetics business.
In her new role, Ms Walmsley will have operational responsibility for GSK’s European business and brands, succeeding Manfred Scheske. Within two years, global leadership for the Consumer Healthcare business will pass from John Clarke, president of Worldwide Consumer Healthcare, to Ms Walmsley.
Andrew Witty, CEO of GSK, said: “Under John’s leadership, Consumer Healthcare has become a key element in GSK’s strategy to deliver sustainable financial performance. Emma’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.”
John Clarke, president of Worldwide Consumer Healthcare, said: “In just under three years, Emma has greatly accelerated the growth in L’Oreal’s China consumer business. She has a strong track record and experience in FMCG marketing in both established and emerging markets. She joins us from a company which, like ours, has a strong scientific research base and I look forward to working closely with her over the next two years.”