Celgene names new UK and Ireland general manager

Celgene has announced the appointment of industry veteran Wim Souverijns as its new vice-president and general manager for the UK and Ireland.

Mr Souverijns has been working in the pharmaceuticals business for nearly 15 years and originally joined Celgene in 2007 as head of the European marketing operations team.

He then helped to launch the company's global marketing excellence function in the US in 2009, later being promoted to executive director. He returned to Europe in 2012 to become general manager for the Nordic countries.

Samantha Pearce, Celgene's previous UK general manager, has taken on the corresponding role within the firm's Europe, Middle East and Africa emerging markets unit.

Mr Souverijns said: "I am eager to continue our commitment here in the UK and Ireland to patients with cancer, inflammatory and immune-related diseases."

During the third quarter of 2014, the company achieved a revenue total of $1.98 billion (1.27 billion pounds), which represented a year-on-year increase of 18 percent.