Neale, senior vice president and general manager of Nutritional Healthcare UK, has been appointed to the newly created role of senior vice president, Nutritional Healthcare Future Group. The new Nutritional Healthcare Future Group will apply the known success factors of the existing GSK Future Group in order to maximise the potential opportunities for Lucozade and Ribena around the world. The GSK Future Group model has had a significant impact on accelerating growth on other global GSK brands such as Aquafresh and alli, through marrying R&D and commercial expertise to increase the rate and quality of product innovation and develop strong global brands rooted in marketing excellence.
This development supports GSK’s strategic priority to grow a diversified global business, exemplified by the announcement in October of the launch of Lucozade into China. Further global launches are anticipated.
Neale has led the Nutritional Healthcare UK business since 1998, a period that witnessed the considerable growth of Lucozade, Ribena and Horlicks. The company became the fastest growing and most profitable soft drinks company in the UK in 2007. Prior to this role, Neale held numerous positions across the business, including general manager and vice president of Central and Eastern Europe, France and South East Asia. He has also held industry posts outside GSK, including presidency of the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) and UNESDA, the Union of European Beverages Associations.
Meanwhile, Peter Harding, vice president of GSK’s Aquafresh Future Team, takes over the running of Nutritional Healthcare UK from Neale, in the position of vice president and general manager. Harding joined GSK’s Nutritional Healthcare business in 1997 as Marketing Director Lucozade; he became VP marketing, Nutritional Healthcare UK in 1999 and played a leading role in driving consecutive years of sales growth. In 2003 he was appointed VP/GM Consumer Healthcare Ireland and in 2006 moved to become VP Aquafresh Future Team. Aquafresh is GSK’s largest global brand, and Harding oversaw years of consecutive growth during his tenure.
“My first priority will be to maximise globalisation opportunities, accelerate innovation, and deliver superior brand strategy in order to drive increased growth for our brands,” said Neale. “I am delighted to be appointed to this new role at what is a very exciting time for the business, and I look forward to working to globalise our business in line with GSK’s overall strategy.”
Harding added: “Graham has led the Nutritional Healthcare UK business through a period of tremendous growth and has shown strong, inspiring leadership. I am excited to take over the running of this business, as a thriving Nutritional Healthcare business lies at the heart of GSK’S ambitious plans for growth.”
Source: GSK
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