Emma Walmsley

	Personal details
Born	1969/6/1 (age 56); Barrow-in-Furness, England
Nationality	British
Education	MA in Classics and Modern Languages
Spouse	David Owen (m. 1995)
Children	4
Parents	Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Walmsley; Lady Christina Walmsley
	Career details
Occupation	Business Executive
Title	CEO of GSK
Term	2017–2026
Compensation	£10.6 million (2024)
Net worth	£50-70 million (est.)
Awards	DBE (2020)

Dame Emma Natasha Walmsley DBE (born June 1969) is a British businesswoman serving as Chief Executive Officer of GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) since April 2017, making her the first woman to run a major pharmaceutical company. Born in Barrow-in-Furness to Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Walmsley and Lady Christina Walmsley, she earned an MA in Classics and Modern Languages from Christ Church, Oxford. After 17 years at L'Oréal in marketing and general management roles across Paris, London, New York, and notably as General Manager of L'Oréal China (2007-2010) where she lived in Shanghai with husband David Owen and their four children, she joined GSK in 2010. Rising to lead GSK's global consumer healthcare division, she was appointed CEO in 2017 at age 48, leading the company through major transformation including the 2022 demerger of consumer healthcare into Haleon (now worth £30+ billion). Her £10.6 million 2024 compensation (potentially £21.6 million with performance targets) and leadership of the £60+ billion pharmaceutical giant has made her one of the UK's most powerful businesswomen. Married to David Owen since 1995 with four children, Walmsley was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in 2020. She announced in September 2025 she will step down as CEO in early 2026 after nearly nine years leading GSK.

Key Facts

First female major pharmaceutical company CEO
L'Oréal China General Manager experience (2007-2010)
4 children
DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) 2020
Stepping down as CEO in early 2026

Career

Emma spent 17 years at L'Oréal in various marketing and general management positions across Paris, London, New York, and Shanghai before joining GSK in 2010. As General Manager of L'Oréal China from 2007-2010, she gained invaluable international experience.

At GSK, she rose to lead the global consumer healthcare division before being appointed CEO in April 2017, becoming the first woman to run a major pharmaceutical company.

Compensation

£10.6 million (2024)
Potential £21.6 million with performance targets met
Net worth estimated at £50-70 million

Personal Life

Emma married David Owen in 1995, having met at university. They have four children together and lived in Shanghai during her tenure as L'Oréal China General Manager.

She is the daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Walmsley, giving her a distinguished family background.