HP appoints ex-GSK chief Emma Walmsley as next CEO
Wed, 4th Nov 2026 (Today)
HP has appointed former GSK Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley as its next CEO, with the appointment taking effect on 4 January 2027. She will succeed Bruce Broussard, who has served as Interim CEO since February 2026.
Walmsley brings experience across pharmaceuticals, consumer businesses and technology governance. She spent nearly nine years as Chief Executive Officer of GSK and has served on Microsoft's Board of Directors for seven years.
HP's Board of Directors unanimously selected Walmsley following a comprehensive global search. The company said the process focused on leadership experience in complex international businesses, organisational change and delivering value for customers and shareholders.
Leadership change
"Today's appointment follows a comprehensive global search focused on what HP needs to win in its next chapter. Throughout the process, Emma stood out for the strength of her leadership experience across multiple industries, the clarity of her strategic thinking and her ability to translate customer insights into new growth. She has a people-first leadership approach that aligns and inspires high-performing teams around clear priorities, strong execution and lasting value creation," said Chip Bergh, Chair of the Board.
Walmsley will take over as HP prepares for changes in personal computing, printing and workplace technology as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into products and services.
"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. Emma is a proven CEO with a track record of leading organizations at scale and guiding them through significant change. She has the experience and skills to bring HP's businesses, capabilities and people together to capture the opportunities ahead as AI moves to the edge, transforming how we work and live in a more connected world. I look forward to supporting her as she leads HP into its next phase of growth," said Bruce Broussard, Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Walmsley said she would focus on artificial intelligence and growth opportunities across HP's businesses.
"HP is an iconic company with a defining role in shaping the future of work on a global scale. I'm excited to join the team and, together, move forward with clarity and conviction. 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," said Walmsley.
GSK experience
Walmsley served as GSK's Chief Executive Officer from April 2017 to December 2025. She joined the pharmaceutical group in 2010 and became CEO of its Consumer Healthcare business in 2015 before taking on the group leadership role.
During her tenure, she oversaw a transformation that included sharpening GSK's focus on specialty medicines and vaccines, strengthening its research and development pipeline and improving its balance sheet following the separation of its consumer healthcare business.
Before joining GSK, Walmsley spent 17 years at L'Oréal in senior positions leading global consumer businesses.
Her experience across healthcare and consumer markets gives HP a chief executive with a background in managing large international operations and businesses serving different customer segments.
Board transition
The appointment also brings changes to HP's board leadership. Broussard will become Chair of the Board on 4 January 2027, succeeding Bergh, who has held the position since 2017 and served as a director since 2015.
Bergh will remain Chair until Broussard assumes the role. Broussard previously served as HP's Interim CEO from February 2026.
"I also want to thank Bruce for his strong leadership, which has enabled the Board to conduct an intentional and rigorous search leading to today's successful outcome. It's a privilege to hand the role of Chair to him, knowing he will provide important continuity and valuable guidance to Emma and the Board during the transition and in the years ahead," said Bergh.
"Chip has provided strong leadership as Chair for the past nine years, helping guide HP through significant change while maintaining a sharp focus on governance, capital allocation and value creation. I have appreciated his partnership while serving as Interim CEO," said Broussard.