Walmsley gets role at Microsoft

THE chief c executive of Glaxosmithkline smithk is to take on an additional tional job – as a director of tech giant M Microsoft.

Emma Emm Walmsley, 50, has been nominated nomin for the post and is expected expec to be approved at a shareholder share vote in December, Microsoft Micros said.

She w would be required to attend at least leas four meetings per year of the co company’s board, as well as ‘informal’ ‘inform quarterly meetings for updates update on the business.

The appointment a is likely to raise eyebrows eyebro in the City, with Walmsley ley currently c steering Glaxo through throu some of the biggest changes chang in its history.

The company c is in the process of splitting splittin into two separate businesses nesse – one for prescription drugs and vaccines and another for its consumer arm – as well as a major turnaround designed to revitalise revita its pipeline of drugs.

A spokesman spo for Glaxo yesterday insisted insiste Walmsley, who took over as chief ch executive in 2017, remained remai ‘absolutely focused on the priorities pr of the company’.

Microsoft said the mother-offour’s appointment to its board would bring the total number of women directors to five.

John Thompson, its independent chairman, added: ‘Emma is an accomplished business leader who led major advances in research and development at Glaxo and will bring her significant insights and global experience to Microsoft.

‘We believe she will be a valuable addition to the board.’