Two key questions

Two key questions in recent announcements on GSK's reorganization and continued slide into oblivion.

1) Why doesn't the Board so something about Witty due to the poor overall company performance? Under this, there are so many individual "metrics" that can be used, but he simply under performs and is not looking out for the employees and the long term investment of the shareholders. THAT is the number one fiduciary responsibility of the Board to oversee.

2) Where has Witty been during the recent upheaval? A TRUE leader would be upfront and visible. Videos don't substitute for the need for his presence to take questions about the recent changes, the future of the organization, how to justify this bad looking deal with Novartis.

 

Fair points, I expect the answer to number 2 is that he gave the leaders in those groups (US Pharma and R&D) the "opportunity" to show their mettle! They are discrete parts of the company and have high level leadership so you could justify them giving the message. I agree that there is usually a live end of year broadcast, will see what happens in early 2015.

 

Who cares where Witty is or who tells you you're being let go?

 

Yes, Witty IS a problem, but the board is in his pocket and many in the UK "money club" with Sir titles, and do not have drug backgrounds (exception are those they consume). Just look how long it took them to rid Murdoch from the board after he was in so much trouble even with the British people and government.

Perhaps the new incoming Chairman will see it differently, hmmm, oh yeah he comes from a banking background so there's little chance of that.

Accept the simple truth if you work now at GSK, you work for a British company, through and through, until they are thru with you.

 

Well, information from the Wall Street Journal says that the GSK board is looking for a replacement for Sir Dandy Andy. My guess, even thought they won't say it publicly, the new Chairman of the Board sees how poorly Witty has done, and is ready to make a move. Those of us still around who remember when making drugs from R&D was a priority should gladly welcome a new face leading the group coming from a Pharma group outside GSK, and even then it will take many years to regain what has been lost under AV, MS and PV. Can't happen soon enough.

 

Witty has been around too long, has done too much damage, along with PV & MS. JB's area has generally delivered, but is still over staffed and his is getting long in the tooth.

 

Are you sure you're not in the JB fan club?

 

The dye has been cast,
the damage has been done,
time to sell off what's left,
Incompetence has won

- generic Advair