GSK picks oral care marketing director

GlaxoSmithKline has promoted Carol-Ann Stewart to the role of oral care marketing director in its UK consumer healthcare division. Stewart is currently the over-the-counter marketing and business development director for GSK in Japan.

Stewart (pictured) will take up her new role on October 6 and will report directly to James Hallatt, general manager of GSK’s consumer healthcare business in the UK.

GSK oral care brands include the Aquafresh and Macleans ranges of toothpaste, mouthwash and toothbrushes, the Sensodyne range of products and medicated mouthwash brand Corsodyl.

Stewart has worked at GSK in a number of roles across consumer and nutritional healthcare, in the UK and abroad. She replaces Rachel Ferdinando who was recently shifted to a US-based role as vice-president of marketing on Alli, a weight loss product available in the US.

Stewart’s move comes after a management shake-up at GSK following the promotion of Roger Scarlett-Smith from head of GSK’s consumer healthcare business in the UK to president of consumer healthcare, North America. Hallatt was promoted to take Scarlett-Smith’s place at the helm of the UK consumer division (MW July 24).

GSK recently lost two directors in the wake of a battle to replace chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier, who retired in May. Chris Viehbacher, head of GSK’s North American business, and pharmaceuticals head David Stout have both left after being passed over in favour of Andrew Witty, who was president of GSK’s European business before his appointment as chief executive (MW.co.uk September 9).