Glaxosmithkline (GSK) announced the new company, to result from the demerger of consumer healthcare from GSK in mid-2022, is Haleon.
Haleon (pronounced ‘hay-lee-on’) comes from the merging of the words ‘Hale’, which is an old English word that means ‘in good health’ and Leon, which comes from the word ‘strength’.
Input from employees, healthcare practitioners and consumers developed the new brand identity. It will appear in more than 100 markets around the world where the business operates.
The creation of Haleon results from a series of successful investments and strategic changes over the last eight years. This also includes integrations of the consumer product portfolios from Novartis and Pfizer.
It is now a highly valuable and focused global business. And it generates annual sales of approximately £10 billion.
As a standalone company, Haleon is a new world-leader in consumer healthcare. It offers a compelling proposition – to bring deep human understanding together with trusted science. As well as to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
‘Haleon brings to life years of hard work’
Brian McNamara, chief executive officer designate, Haleon, said: ‘Introducing Haleon to the world marks another step in our journey to become a new, standalone company.
‘Our name is grounded in our purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. And to be a world-leader in consumer healthcare.
‘We are on track to launch Haleon in mid-2022 and our business momentum is strong. We look forward to updating investors and analysts more on this at our capital markets event at the end of February.’
Emma Walmsley, chief executive officer, GSK, said: ‘Haleon brings to life years of hard work by many outstanding people; to build this new company purely dedicated to everyday health.
‘Haleon has enormous potential to improve health and wellbeing across the world with strong prospects for growth. And through listing it will unlock significant value for GSK shareholders.’
Bas Vorsteveld vice president and general manager Great Britain and Ireland, GSK Consumer Healthcare, said: ‘As Haleon, we have a solid base from which to begin. With a focused portfolio of category-leading brands that meet real consumer needs.
‘I am delighted to drive this exciting chapter in our company’s history together with the superb GBI team.
‘With our popular brands such as Sensodyne, Voltarol, Panadol and Centrum, we will of course continue to be an important partner for our consumers, customers and healthcare professionals across Great Britain and Ireland, working together to improve everyday health.’
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