Zubair Ahmed to be regional head of GSK Consumer, Novartis JV

NEW DELHI: Zubair Ahmed, senior VP Indian sub continent (India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) of GSK Consumer Healthcare, has been appointed designate head of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa for the proposed joint venture between GSK Consumer Healthcare and consumer healthcare and pharma company Novartis OTC.
In this new capacity, his 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.
This role expansion is announced as a part of the integration planning process for the proposed joint venture with Novartis. It is proposed that he will take over this role following closure of the deal, which is expected in the first half of 2015.
Emma Walmsley, president GSK Consumer Healthcare, said: “Zubair's business acumen, people management skills and sharp understanding of these markets will help us in our goal to accelerate growth across our emerging markets business.”
Ahmed joined GSK Consumer Healthcare in 2007 and over the last seven years has been responsible for leading a team that has more than tripled revenues in the GSK India sub continent business.