Sanofi has announced that Hanspeter Spek, president, Global Operations, will retire from his current role in mid-2013. A succession plan will be announced in due course.
Christopher Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi, said: ‘During his many years with Sanofi, Hanspeter has made an exceptional contribution to the success of the Group and has helped bring Sanofi to the forefront of the industry. He has been a key member of the Executive Committee, which has transformed Sanofi as a healthcare leader. His early recognition of growing opportunities in the emerging markets has contributed to the building of Sanofi’s leading position there. With the Group now having an outlook of long term sustainable growth, I would like to sincerely thank Hanspeter for his leadership, commitment and energy and wish him the very best for the future.’
Spek joined Sanofi in 1985 as marketing director with Sanofi Pharma GmbH Germany. He was appointed to his current position as president, Global Operations in November 2009.
Sanofi says he has been instrumental in the evolution of the Group, contributing to the success of flagship products such as Plavix, Lantus and Taxotere, and a key player in the various partnerships Sanofi has entered into and the integrations of Synthelabo in 1999, Aventis in 2004 and, more recently, Chattem and Merial.
Spek will retain his role as chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sanofi GmbH Germany during a transitional period.
