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GSK appoints Luke Miels as CEO designate, set to lead the company into a pivotal growth phase starting January 2026.
Miels has been with GSK since 2017 and currently serves as its chief commercial officer.
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GSK announced Luke Miels as its new CEO designate. He is expected to assume responsibility and join GSK’s board January 1, 2026. Miels has been with GSK since 2017, serving as its chief commercial officer while handling global vaccine and medicine responsibilities for the company.1
Sir Jonothan Symonds CBE, chair of GSK, touched on Luke being appointed CEO designate, saying, “I am delighted to announce that Luke will be the next CEO of GSK. He has outstanding global 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.”
GSK’s Board and current CEO Dame Emma Walmsley enacted its long-term succession plan along with conducting an extensive search process, handled by the board with external support, over the last few months. GSK’s process considered both internal and external candidates for the position, with the company’s desired criteria for the position being discussed and approved by the board.1 The board’s criteria reflected its belief that priorities for the next CEO must deliver shareholder value along with value recognition through exceeding its 2031 outlooks, focusing on its pipeline delivery, and preparing for the next wave of R&D.1
Luke Miels, CEO Designate of GSK, commented on his appointment, saying, “I am deeply honored 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.”
In her role as CEO, Walmsley delivered a comprehensive step-change in GSK’s operating performance, portfolio, and pipeline, prioritizing the development of specialty medicines and vaccines while delivering multiple major new products.1 Additionally, Walmsley focused on restoring R&D during her tenure, including 15 major pipeline opportunities expected to become available between 2025 and 2031.
“2026 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,” said Dame Emma Walmsley, CEO of GSK. “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.”
GSK says that it is now performing to a new standard, with clear outlooks for long-term growth including total sales expectations of more than £40 billion by 20312 and 2026 marks the start of a pivotal new phase for GSK to deliver these outlooks.1
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