HP has chosen an executive from the pharmaceutical industry to take the helm of its operations. Emma Walmsley, former CEO of the British pharmaceutical company GSK, will succeed Bruce Broussard as head of the U.S. computer and printing systems manufacturer on January 4. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the board of directors.
Bruce Broussard, who has served as interim CEO since February 2026, will assume the role of chairman of the board on that same date. He will replace Chip Bergh, who has been a member of HP?s board since 2015 and chairman since 2017.
An executive with a background in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
Emma Walmsley joined GSK in 2010 and led the company from 2017 to 2025. During that time, the British company refocused its operations on specialty medicines and vaccines, reorganized its research and development, and spun off its consumer healthcare business, HP notes.
Prior to that, Emma Walmsley had spent 17 years at L'Oréal, where she held various positions within the French cosmetics manufacturer's international operations.
HP's future CEO has also served on Microsoft's board of directors for seven years.
"Today's appointment follows an extensive international search focused on HP's needs to succeed in its next phase of development. Throughout the process, Emma stood out for her strong leadership experience across multiple industries, her clear strategic vision, and her ability to turn customer expectations into new sources of growth." , said Chip Bergh, chairman of the board of directors.
Artificial Intelligence Among the Priorities
This appointment comes as HP seeks to expand its business in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly its integration into computing devices.
"HP has immense potential at a pivotal moment in the history of technology, and we need a leader who can build on our legacy of innovation and our strengths to boldly shape the company's future. Emma (...) has the experience and skills needed to bring together HP?s businesses, capabilities, and teams to seize the opportunities ahead, as AI becomes more accessible to end users, transforming the way we work and live in a more connected world." , said Bruce Broussard, interim CEO.
For her part, Emma Walmsley highlights the need to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to develop new sources of growth.
