Major Shake-Up: GSK CEO Emma Walmsley to Step Down in 2026, Luke Miels Named Successor

GSK CEO Emma Walmsley to Step Down in 2026, Luke Miels Named Successor

In a significant leadership transition for one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that CEO Emma Walmsley will step down after nearly a decade at the helm. Walmsley, who has led the London-based firm through a period of profound transformation, will formally leave the company on September 30, 2026.

Her successor will be Luke Miels, GSK’s current Chief Commercial Officer, who will take the reins to guide the company into its next strategic chapter. This planned succession marks a pivotal moment for GSK as it seeks to build on its reshaped identity as a focused biopharma leader.

A Decade of Transformation: Walmsley's Legacy

Appointed in 2017, Emma Walmsley’s tenure as CEO has been defined by bold, strategic moves to refocus and revitalize the pharmaceutical giant. In a statement, Walmsley noted that 2026 represents a “pivotal” point for GSK’s future, making it the right time to hand over leadership.

Her most significant achievement was overseeing the demerger of GSK’s consumer health division into a separate, publicly-traded company named Haleon. This was one of the largest restructurings in the company's recent history and allowed GSK to sharpen its focus on its core prescription drug and vaccine businesses.

Under her leadership, GSK aggressively pivoted towards specialty medicines and vaccines, working to improve its competitive stance in the global market. The board praised her “outstanding leadership” in executing this strategic transformation and orchestrating the complex Haleon spin-off.

Meet the New CEO: Luke Miels

Luke Miels, a key figure in GSK's recent strategy, has been named as the incoming Chief Executive Officer. Miels joined GSK in 2017, the same year Walmsley became CEO, and has served as the Chief Commercial Officer, playing an integral role in the company's commercial strategy and global growth.

His appointment signals a desire for continuity, ensuring the strategic path charted under Walmsley continues seamlessly. Having been deeply involved in the company's shift towards biopharma innovation, Miels is well-positioned to lead GSK's next phase of growth.

Compensation and Board Praise

During her tenure, Walmsley was one of the highest-earning executives in London. Her total remuneration for the last year was £10.6 million, a decrease from £12.7 million in 2023, primarily due to reduced bonus payouts. Her base salary remained steady at approximately £1.6 million.

GSK’s Chair, Jonathan Symonds, commended Walmsley’s leadership, stating she had presided over a company that now operates with a “new, more competitive standard.” He highlighted that the business is now better diversified and balanced between its specialty medicines and vaccines portfolio, leaving GSK “stronger than I found it,” as Walmsley herself noted.

The Road Ahead for GSK

The leadership transition comes at a challenging time for the global pharmaceutical sector. The industry faces uncertainties, including the potential for policy shifts in key markets, such as the possibility of former U.S. President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on branded medicines.

GSK, headquartered in London with over 65,000 employees worldwide and a market capitalization of approximately £60 billion, remains a cornerstone of the London Stock Exchange. As Emma Walmsley prepares to depart in 2026, the company is positioned to build upon her legacy—a legacy of structural boldness and a sharpened focus on innovation. All eyes will now be on Luke Miels to steer the newly streamlined biopharma giant through its future challenges and opportunities.