GSK’s Emma Walmsley to Step Down as CEO After Eight Years

GSK announced that its chief executive, Dame Emma Walmsley, will step down at the end of 2025, marking the close of an eight year tenure. She will be succeeded by Luke Miels, currently the company’s chief commercial officer, who is set to take over on 1 January 2026.

Walmsley became the first woman to lead a major pharmaceutical company when she took on the role in 2017. During her leadership she oversaw a major transformation of GSK, including the 2022 spin off of its consumer health business Haleon, and sharpened the company’s focus on specialty medicines, vaccines and research investment.

While her time as CEO drew some criticism over share performance, she guided the company through a significant period of change and positioned it for future growth. The GSK board praised her leadership and said the transition would bring new momentum for the company.

Luke Miels, who joined GSK in 2017, has extensive global experience across medicines and vaccines and has held senior roles at AstraZeneca, Roche and Sanofi. He will now be tasked with delivering on GSK’s ambition to launch 15 blockbuster drugs by 2031 and to lift revenues significantly in the coming years. Walmsley will remain through the transition to ensure continuity.