Photo: Stekzar / CC BY-SA 4.0
HP named former GSK chief Emma Walmsley its next chief executive on Wednesday, with the appointment taking effect January 4, 2027.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Walmsley, who will succeed interim CEO Bruce Broussard. Broussard, who has held the interim role since February 2026, will become board chair on the same date, replacing Chip Bergh.
For HP’s employees, customers and business partners, the announcement sets a date for the end of the interim leadership period while keeping Broussard involved in board oversight.
A move from pharmaceuticals to technology
Walmsley led GSK from April 2017 through December 2025. She has served on Microsoft’s board for seven years and previously spent 17 years at L’Oréal, according to HP’s appointment announcement.
She joined GSK in 2010 and became CEO of its Consumer Healthcare business in 2015 before taking the group CEO role.
HP said the selection followed a global search. Bergh cited Walmsley’s leadership experience across industries and her ability to turn customer insights into business growth.
HP links the appointment to its AI plans
Broussard framed the appointment around opportunities as artificial intelligence moves to the edge, meaning processing closer to users and their devices. That is HP’s strategic view, not an announced product launch or a new financial forecast.
Walmsley said she would focus on the AI era and new sources of growth. HP did not announce specific product changes or a new financial target in the appointment release.
Bergh, who has chaired HP’s board since 2017 and served as a director since 2015, will remain chair until Broussard takes over on January 4.
JBizNews Desk | Palo Alto
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