Johnson and Johnson appointments ‘allow smooth transition of responsibilities’

Johnson & Johnson has announced a number of executive appointments the company claims will facilitate a smooth transition of responsibilities within its senior leadership team.

Sheri McCoy has been named as worldwide chairman of its pharmaceuticals group, while Alex Gorsky has been appointed as worldwide chairman of its surgical care group.

Ms McCoy was previously worldwide chairman of the surgical care group where she was appointed earlier this year.

Both these appointments are effective from January 1st 2009.

Ms McCoy will succeed Christine Poon who last month announced plans to retire from the firm next march

Mr Gorsky is currently company group and worldwide franchise chairman of Ethicon and will become a member of the executive committee of Johnson & Johnson when he assumes his new role.

William C Weldon, chairman and chief executive officer of the company, said: “These appointments allow for a smooth transition of responsibilities within our senior leadership team.”

He added Ms McCoy and Mr Gorsky are proven leaders in developing talent across multiple business units and driving high performance.

In August 2008, Johnson & Johnson joined Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Schering-Plough and Wyeth to sponsor a programme to help explain to students how medicines are manufactured.