GSK supports the LEAD Network because we know that diversity drives innovation, performance and trust. The positive feedback from our partnership in the US has now resulted in a European initiative whereby we will connect 100 GSK men and women with their colleagues in over 70 retailers and 130 FMCH/G companies. Let’s bring the outside in, let’s embrace diversity , let’s talk about it and let’s make this an even better place to work .”
Line De Decker, VP HR, Europe and Americas,

VP HR, Europe and Americas, GSK Consumer Health

INTERVIEW WITH GSK

Can you tell us a bit about your organisation?

We are a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. Our Consumer Healthcare business develops and markets consumer preferred and expert recommended brands in the Oral health, Pain relief, Respiratory, Nutrition/gastro-intestinal and Skin health categories.

We are one of the world’s leading over-the-counter healthcare companies. We hold number one positions in Wellness across 36 markets, and are market leaders in specialist oral care.

We have a portfolio of loved and trusted brands that are underpinned by science including: Sensodyne, Parodontax, Poligrip, Voltaren, Panadol, Otrivin and Theraflu.

In 2016, the Consumer Healthcare business accounted for £7.2 billion, or 26%, of total Group turnover.

Why is diversity, and specifically the advancement of women, so important to your organisation?

Creating a diverse and inclusive organisation is an important element of our key priorities of Innovation, Performance and Trust and central to being a modern employer. We believe that diversity brings improved performance and creativity and helps better reflect our shopper and consumer base. Although we have an almost 50/50 gender split of employees in GSK Consumer Healthcare in Europe, we would like to see more senior roles filled by women.

Which diversity initiatives do you have in your organisation?

Women made up half of our new graduates and participants of our Esprit programme* in 2017, and 38% of our new apprentices in science, technology and engineering roles, where women have traditionally been underrepresented. Additionally, our Women’s Leadership Initiative Employee Resource Group now has more than 4,000 employee members in more than 70 countries.

We provide coaching and support for high-performing female managers through our Accelerating Difference programme, which incorporates individual and group coaching, as well as sponsorship by senior managers, and which also actively engages men in dialogue about gender diversity and inclusion.

What role does LEAD play in reaching your organisation’s diversity goals?

We want to be an organisation which develops female leaders, supports them on the journey, and enables them to have successful careers. By being a partner, we support the LEAD Network. This partnership offers a lot of opportunities to GSK. The LEAD Network will share the know-how and support us in creating a diversity strategy which is specific to GSK Consumer Healthcare in Europe. We will have access to best practice from leading companies in the industry to understand how they advance women to transform their businesses.

What would you like your employees to take away from the LEAD Network?

GSK employees will have access to fantastic speaker opportunities, mentorship programmes, networking opportunities, access to webinars, and much more. In addition, the Network will help develop female talent through mentoring relationships between senior executives in consumer goods and retail sectors in Europe which will be invaluable to them.

*Four-year rotational programme which offers individuals opportunities to develop through real work, driving growth in our global business, whilst making differences to patients and consumers.