By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate

Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Global healthcare company, GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK) on Thursday said it has appointed current chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), as its new chairman.

The healthcare firm in a statement by Victoria Whyte, company secretary said Hampton will join the board of the company as non-executive director from January 01, 2015 and will become deputy chairman with effect from April 01, 2015.

‘’He will succeed Sir Christopher Gent as non-executive chairman with effect from September 01,  2015, or at an earlier date if released from other commitments,’’ the company said.

Hampton’s appointment who is scheduled to leave RBS in 2015 is coming on the heels of an extensive succession planning process undertaken by the board of GlaxoSmithKline over the last two (2) years.

This appointment was recommended by the Board’s Nominations Committee, chaired by Sir Deryck Maughan, seniour independent non-executive director at GSK.

“We are delighted Sir Philip is joining the GSK Board to succeed Sir Christopher as Chairman.  GSK is well positioned for the future, with a strong R&D pipeline and the impending transformative asset transaction with Novartis announced in April.  Sir Philip’s appointment provides a clear plan of succession and we welcome him to our Board,’’ Maughan.

Hampton has been chairman of the RBS since February 2009. He has also chaired J Sainsbury Plc and group finance director at Lloyds TSB Group, BT Group plc, BG Group plc, British Gas and British Steel plc, an executive director of Lazards and a non-executive director at RMC Group plc and Belgacom SA.

He is also a former chairman of UK Financial Investments Limited, which manages the UK Government’s shareholdings in banks.

Hampton is seniour independent director of Anglo American plc, chairman of their Remuneration Committee and member of their Audit Committee.