Why is GSK CEO Emma Walmsley stepping down for Luke Miels?

GSK CEO Dame Emma Walmsley is stepping down for Luke Miels, current Chief Commercial Officer (CTO), who will lead the company from 2026.

Since taking on the top role in 2017, Emma has significantly driven GSK’s growth through prioritising the development of specialty medicines and leading multiple major new products.

Discussing the announcement in a company statement she says: “2026 is a pivotal year for GSK to define its path for the decade ahead, and I believe the right moment for new leadership.”

Luke, now CEO Designate of the pharmaceutical and biotechnical company, says: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the next CEO of GSK, and grateful to all the people who have supported me on this journey, especially Emma.

“GSK is a very special company, with outstanding prospects and enormous capacity to impact people’s health and to change lives.

“As the next CEO, I am privileged to take on this responsibility, with humility and ambition.”

Who is new CEO Luke Miels?

Luke joined GSK in late 2017 and as CCO has been responsible for delivering medicines and vaccines world-wide.

In particular, the company points to him as being instrumental in building its speciality medicines portfolio, particularly products related to oncology and respiratory.

He is an experienced leader in the pharma sector, having previously worked in senior positions at AstraZeneca Roche and Sanofi-Aventis before joining GSK.

His appointment as CEO Designate is the result of what the company describes as a “rigorous process” conducted by the board, considering internal and external candidates.

Sir Jonathon Symonds CBE, Chair of GSK, says: “I am delighted to announce that Luke will be the next CEO of GSK. He has outstanding biopharma development and commercial experience, together with a deep understanding of the company, its prospects and its people.

“He is extremely well placed to lead, deliver and surpass the ambitions we have set for GSK, and to generate new growth and value for patients and shareholders.”

Taking over on 1 January 2026, Luke will be tasked with leading a new phase of the company, delivering GSK’s sales expectations of more than £40bn (US$53.76bn) by 2031.

Leading a step change in growth 

Since Emma’s appointment as CEO, she has engineered a return to growth for GSK. In particular, her focus on cancer and infectious disease treatments has helped to overcome the impact of patent expiries and weaker revenues from some of its best-selling medicines.

Emma has also overseen a strong focus on research and development, with 15 major pipeline opportunities set to launch in 2025 to 2031, including treatments for COPD, HIV and cancer.

Following what GSK says is a “successful demerger of consumer healthcare”, Haleon was created - a new independent healthcare company - in a move that was overseen by Emma. 

The demerger allowed GSK to focus on its biopharmaceutical business while Haleon operates as a standalone entity.

Recognising her career at GSK, Emma says: “As CEO, you hope to leave the company you love stronger than you found it and prepare for seamless succession. I’m proud to have done both - and created Haleon, a new world leader in consumer health.

“Today, GSK is a biopharma innovator, with far stronger momentum and prospects than nine years ago. Most importantly, the inspiring people in our labs, factories and markets worldwide are delivering innovation that matters to get ahead of disease.”

In a post on LinkedIn, the CEO shared: “In December 2016, as I was starting my own journey as GSK CEO, I wrote in my diary - “Found Luke, dream appointment for this adventure”. Today, all this time later, my sentiment’s exactly the same.

“Luke has been a key partner to me in so many ways and one of my most important hires. I know he will lead GSK brilliantly, alongside a great team, to even more impact for patients.”