GSK taps Novartis vet to lead GSK’s Consumer Healthcare division

LONDON - GSK on Thursday named Brian McNamara CEO of GSK’s Consumer Healthcare division, effective immediately.



He succeeds Emma Walmsley who was last week appointed GSK CEO Designate succeeding Sir Andrew Witty as GSK CEO. In his new role, McNamara will report to Andrew Witty until Emma becomes CEO. He will join GSK’s corporate executive team effective immediately and will continue as a member of the board of the Consumer Healthcare Joint Venture with Novartis.



He will be based in the U.K.



“With his significant experience and expertise, Brian is the clear choice to build on the current momentum we are seeing in our business and fully maximise the future opportunities we have with our brands and to deliver the benefits of the integration,” Witty said.



McNamara  is currently Head of Europe & Americas at GSK Consumer Healthcare. He joined GSK from Novartis following completion of GSK’s three-part transaction with Novartis and has been a member of GSK’s Consumer Healthcare executive team since 2015.



Prior to joining GSK, McNamara spent 11 years at Novartis and 16 years at Procter & Gamble.