GlaxoSmithKline appoints new non-executive board directors

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that Judy Lewent and Stacey Cartwright are to become non-executive directors on the company's board.

Ms Cartwright is currently the executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Burberry Group, while Ms Lewent previously held a similar position at Merck Sharpe and Dohme.

Additionally, Ms Lewent is currently a board member for three publicly-listed companies, including the healthcare firms Napp Pharmaceuticals and Mundipharma International.

They will take up their new roles with GlaxoSmithKline on April 1st 2011, whereupon they will also become members of the firm's audit and risk committee.

Sir Christopher Gent, chairman of the organisation, said: "Their experience of global business and finance and their respective knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and consumer brands will bring a fresh external perspective to the board."

Last week, GlaxoSmithKline announced that its chief strategy officer David Redfern has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of ViiV Healthcare, the joint venture company it operates with Pfizer.