23.03.2010 • NewsPeopleGlaxoSmithKline (GSK)L'Oreal

Glaxo Nabs L'Oreal Exec To Head Consumer Health

GlaxoSmithKline has poached a top executive from French cosmetics group L'Oreal as president-designate of its consumer healthcare unit, underscoring the drugmaker's diversification drive. The British-based group said on Monday that Emma Walmsley, leader of L'Oreal's consumer products business in China, would run consumer healthcare in Europe from May 1 and take over from John Clarke as worldwide consumer head within two years.

Glaxo has come under pressure in the past to spin off consumer health, but under new chief executive Andrew Witty, the division has become a key pillar of the drugmaker's drive to reduce reliance on traditional prescription pharmaceuticals. Glaxo's consumer business includes over-the-counter medicines, toothpaste and nutritional drinks such as Lucozade.

Virtual Event

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry
CHEManager Spotlight

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry

Save the Date: October 22, 2025
The event will be promoted to a combined audience of over 100,000 professionals across Europe through the CHEManager and CITplus networks.

Innovation Pitch

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences
Discover Tomorrow’s Innovators

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences

CHEManager Innovation Pitch supports innovation in the chemistry and life sciences start-up scene. The platform allows founders, young entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their companies to the industry.

most read