GlaxoSmithKline poaches Astra man for global drugs arm in rejig

GlaxoSmithKline has recruited a fresh face to run its £15 billion drugs division ahead of the arrival of chief executive Emma Walmsley.

The firm has poached Luke Miels from rival AstraZeneca to replace Abbas Hussain as president of global pharmaceuticals.

Walmsley, who takes the helm from current chief Sir Andrew Witty on April 1, said Miels would bring a “strong new voice” to the firm as the pharma division moved into a “critical period of commercialisation”.

Her background is in consumer healthcare — with 17 years at French beauty giant L’Oreal — rather than pharmaceuticals.

Witty said: “Succession processes are challenging for everyone involved and, unfortunately, it is rare that all of those involved stay with the company.”