New Delhi: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday announced elevation of its Senior Vice President Indian Sub-Continent, Zubair Ahmed for a higher global role in its proposed joint venture with Novartis.
Ahmed has been appointed designate Head of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa for the proposed joint venture between GSK Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) and Novartis OTC, the company said in a filing to the BSE.
"This proposed role expansion is announced as part of the integration planning for the proposed joint venture with Novartis," it added.
Earlier in April this year, as part of a multi-billion transaction, GSK and Novartis announced that they would create a consumer healthcare joint venture in which GSK would have majority control with 63.5 percent stake and the rest with Novartis.
"Ahmed will take over this proposed role following the closure of the deal, which is expected in the first half of 2015," the company said.
In his new capacity, Ahmed's responsibility, in addition to the Indian sub-continent business, will include Asia Pacific, including China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Middle East (including Turkey, Iran and Pakistan) and Africa.
Commenting on the appointment, GSK Consumer Healthcare President Emma Walmsley said: "His business acumen, people management skills and sharp understanding of these markets will help us in our goal to accelerate growth across our emerging market business."
The company said it would make a separate announcement of the organisational structure under Ahmed.
He had joined GSK Consumer Healthcare in 2007 and has since led the company that has more than tripled its revenues in the GSK India sub-continent business, the statement added.
GSKCH India had a revenue of Rs 4,868.58 crore in FY14.
