LONDON — Brian McNamara has been named CEO designate of the new, independent consumer health care company that will be spun off from GSK in 2022.

As set out at GSK’s Investor Update on 23 June 2021, subject to approval from shareholders, the separation of Consumer Health care will be by way of a demerger in mid-2022 of at least 80% of GSK’s holding to shareholders. The new resulting Consumer Health care company is expected to attain a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange.

GSK said the new company will be a new world-leader in consumer health with a portfolio which generated annual sales of more than £10 billion in 2020. The company will have a strong portfolio of brands including Sensodyne, Voltaren, Panadol and Centrum and will hold category leadership positions and major sales presences in the U.S. and China.

Sir Jonathan Symonds, GSK chairman, said: “We are delighted to announce Brian’s appointment to lead the proposed new Consumer Healthcare company, following a thorough process conducted by the Board. Brian is an exceptional leader, and through two global integrations, has successfully transformed GSK Consumer Healthcare into a category-leading business. His strong track record of success and deep experience of fast moving consumer goods and consumer health, proven at P&G, Novartis and GSK, means he is the right choice to unlock the potential of Consumer Healthcare as an independent company and deliver its strong prospects for sustainable sales and profit growth, high cash generation and attractive returns for shareholders.”

McNamara joined GSK from Novartis in 2015, where he was head of the Over the Counter (O-T-C) division. He has been a driving force behind two successful Joint Ventures, first between GSK and Novartis and more recently with Pfizer to create a new world-leading Consumer Healthcare business.

“I am honored to have this opportunity. Together with the many talented people we have in our business, I am looking forward to our exciting future as an independent company. I am confident we are well positioned for growth, building on our brands and innovation, with leading-edge science and human understanding, to deliver better everyday health,” said McNamara.

As previously communicated, the board of GSK conducted an extensive search and selection process to appoint a CEO designate for the new Consumer Healthcare company. The process, conducted over six months and supported by two leading global search firms, was overseen by the Nominations & Corporate Governance Committee and resulted in direct evaluation and interview of several external and internal candidates for the position.

With the separation of consumer health care, the board of GSK has been preparing for two separate, appropriately qualified, independent boards at the point of separation. A formal process to appoint a chair and to form a board of directors for the new consumer health company is well underway. The appointment of a Chair is expected in the second half of 2021 who will then, in accordance with best practice, lead the process of appointments to establish the new board. This new board will include the appropriate mix of skills, experience, diversity and continuity, relevant to consumer health, to represent and maximise the value of this new business for shareholders.

McNamara began his career at P&G and, over a 16-year tenure, gained extensive experience in product supply, brand marketing, and customer leadership before moving to Novartis in 2004.

He is a board member of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). He previously served as a board member of the Global Self Care Federation (GSCF) for seven years, acting as chairman from February 2017 to March 2019 and, for three years was an active member of the board of trustees for Treloar’s – a trust providing support and independence education for young people with physical disabilities.

He has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York and an MBA in Finance from University of Cincinnati.