Sanofi-Aventis states UK will play important role in programme

Sanofi-Aventis has asserted that its UK strand will play an important role in the company’s global transformation programme.

The comments, from the firm’s executive vice-president Hanspeter Spek, came after the pharmaceutical business announced Steve Oldfield will become the general manager for the company in Britain.

Mr Oldfield joined the company in England in 1994 and since then has achieved significant results for the business in a number of positions worldwide.

He has worked as general manager in Thailand and Korea, marketing director and business unit director in Mexico, and in a global marketing role in Paris.

Mr Spek commented: “With experience ranging across strategic and operational roles as well as across countries and culture, Steve is ideally placed ? to support our vision of becoming a global healthcare leader.”

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in modern languages, Mr Oldfield can speak five tongues ? English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

In 1986, he took his first step on the career ladder with a position at Procter and Gamble.

Sanofi-Aventis discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic remedies.