Pharma veteran helms HP

Technology giant HP Inc. has appointed former pharmaceutical executive Emma Walmsley as its next chief executive, effective 4 January 2027, as the company prepares for its next phase of growth amid advances in artificial intelligence.

Walmsley, 57, previously led British pharmaceutical company GSK from 2017 to 2025 and has served on Microsoft’s board of directors for seven years.

She will succeed Bruce Broussard, who has been HP’s interim CEO since February 2026. Broussard will become board chairman, replacing Chip Bergh, who has held the position since 2017.

HP said the appointment followed a global executive search aimed at identifying a leader capable of steering the company through technological and organizational changes.

“HP has tremendous potential at an important inflection point in technology, and we need a leader who can build on our innovation heritage and strengths to boldly shape the company’s future,” Broussard said.

During her tenure at GSK, Walmsley oversaw a major restructuring that included the separation of its consumer healthcare business and a stronger focus on medicines and vaccines.

Before joining GSK in 2010, she spent 17 years at cosmetics company L’Oréal.

Walmsley said she intends to focus on artificial intelligence and innovation to develop new sources of growth for HP.

“We will focus on harnessing the power of the AI era and putting HP’s creativity and innovation to work to unlock new sources of growth and deliver lasting value for our customers, shareholders, partners and people,” she said.