Hospira welcomes appointment of new CEO

Hospira has welcomed the imminent arrival of F Michael Ball to the company in the role of chief executive officer (CEO).

Mr Ball will join Hospira on March 28th 2011 from his current position as president of fellow healthcare company Allergan and will also become a member of the firm's board.

During his 16-year career with Allergan, he helped the company to expand its international market presence, record top-level financial performance and assume a position near the forefront of each of the categories in which it operates.

He has been appointed as the successor to Hospira's founding CEO Christopher Begley, who will continue to serve the company in the role of executive chairman.

Mr Begley said: "We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the Hospira family and I look forward to partnering with him and our board to continue to advance our great company."

Last month, the company published its financial report for 2010, highlighting its year-on-year sales growth and progress with its business optimisation programmes.