Sameer Goel leaves GSK for Cipla

Cipla has appointed GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) veteran Sameer Goel as country head for its operations in India.

Goel spent 26 years at GSK, gaining senior experience in the emerging markets in India and Africa.

He most recently served as general manager for GSK in Africa, leading a $0.4bn business based in South Africa. He established Africa as a new region for the company, and has worked to set out GSK as a leader in the region.

Previous roles at GSK include managing director for West Africa and VP, sales, for the Indian sub-continent.

This experience in India will be valuable in his new role at Cipla, which is one of the leading domestic drug companies in the country.

Cipla's managing director and CEO Subhanu Saxena said: “This appointment signals the continuation of Cipla's strategy of strengthening the highly experienced senior management team and to show our strong determination to increase the market share in India.”