GSK's chairman to retire at AGM

Published: 18-Apr-2002


Sir Richard Sykes, chairman of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), will retire at the company's AGM in May. He will be succeeded by Sir Christopher Hogg, currently a non-executive director.

Sykes said: 'Having overseen the successful merger of GSK, and as I approach my 60th birthday in August, I feel now is the right time to depart. I wish to devote my time and energy to my role as rector of Imperial College and leave GSK in great shape for the future.'

Sykes was appointed deputy chairman and ceo of Glaxo in March 1993. He led Glaxo's acquisition of Wellcome in 1995 and was a principal architect of Glaxo Wellcome's merger with SmithKline Beecham to form GSK.

In addition to his new role, Hogg is non-executive chairman of Reuters Group plc and non-executive director of Air Liquide SA.

Dr J.P. Garnier, ceo of GSK, said: 'On behalf of the board I would like to pay tribute to Sir Richard, who has made a tremendous contribution to Glaxo, Glaxo Wellcome and GlaxoSmithKline. He is a strong and committed ambassador for the pharmaceutical industry, and a great champion of the UK science base. I wish him well for the future. At the same time we welcome Sir Christopher as our new chairman and look forward to benefiting from his wide-ranging experience and knowledge.'

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