GSK CEO Emma Walmsley Steps Down After 9 Years; Luke Miels to Succeed
Emma Walmsley, the first female CEO of a major global pharma company, will step down as Chief Executive of GSK at the end of December 2025 after 9 years in the role123.
She will be succeeded by Luke Miels, GSK's current Chief Commercial Officer, who will formally become CEO and join the board on January 1, 2026123.
Walmsley will remain with GSK through September 2026 to support the leadership transition and advise on strategic challenges, including geopolitics and technology12.
During Walmsley's tenure, GSK completed the demerger of its consumer health unit Haleon, refocused on specialty medicines and vaccines, and strengthened its research pipeline with 15 major opportunities slated between 2025 and 203112.
GSK's board described the CEO succession as the result of long-term, rigorous planning considering both internal and external candidates1.
Luke Miels brings senior international experience to the role, having previously held executive positions at AstraZeneca, Roche, and Sanofi-Aventis12.
The transition comes as GSK pursues major long-term investments, including a $30 billion US R&D and manufacturing plan12.
Sources:
1. https://www.soci.org/news/2025/9/gsk-chief-executive-emma-walmsley-to-step-down
2. https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/266063/glaxosmithkline-gsk-emma-walmsley-ceo-luke-miels/