GSK appoints Heineken and Shell director Hans Wijers to board

Chairman designate of brewery firm Heineken, Hans Wijers, has been appointed to the board of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Wijers, who is also a non-executive director at Heineken and deputy chair at oil company Shell, will assume his GSK role from April 1, 2013, subject to shareholder approval at GSK's next annual general meeting.

Although lacking direct experience in healthcare, Wijers has a very rich history in business, having previously served as CEO and chair of paint and chemicals company AkzoNobel in addition to his current board roles.

He also has experience in politics, having served as minister for economic affairs in the Netherlands from 1994 to 1998.

GSK's chair Sir Christopher Ghent said: “I am delighted to welcome Hans to the Board. His broad business experience, including as chief executive of AkzoNobel, together with his economic and political knowledge will enable him to make a significant contribution to the future success of GSK.”

Wijers joins a list of board members from outside healthcare that includes economist and former CEO of mining company Rio Tinto Sir Robert Wilsom; JP Morgan's Jing Ulrich; and Stacey Cartwright, who is chief financial officer at fashion firm Burberry.