GSK has appointed Luke Miels as its chief executive officer (CEO) designate, assuming full responsibilities as CEO on 1 January 2026.

He joined the pharmaceutical firm in 2017 and is currently serving as chief commercial officer.

GSK said Miels had been instrumental in building its specialty medicines portfolio, notably in oncology and respiratory. Miels will succeed GSK’s current CEO, Dame Emma Walmsley.

GSK said that it now performing to a new standard and has set targets for reaching more than £40bn in sales by 2031, while 2026 marks the "start of a pivotal new phase" for the company.

Dame Walmsley said: "[Next year] is a pivotal year for GSK to define its path for the decade ahead, and I believe the right moment for new leadership. 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 to have 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. I know Luke will lead them brilliantly to even greater impact for patients. I look forward to supporting this transition and to cheering GSK's future success as I begin my own new adventures."

Miels concluded: "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."

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