GSK promotes India chief in global push

Another Indian is making entry into the growing global CEO list with the proposal of world's pharmaceutical gaint GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK Plc) to appoint S Kalyanasundaram (popularly known in the industry as Kal), the flamboyant managing director of GSK India, as vice president (commercial strategy and market expansion) of Pharmaceuticals International of GlaxoSmithKline Plc.

In the new role, his principal responsibility will be to spearhead the vision, strategy and planning of the International Management Team's strategic priorities of seeking to extend GSK's commercial product offering to more than just the wealthier people in emerging markets.

With the new portfolio that will cover commercial strategies for more than 100 countries in the GSK's global map, Kal will be reporting directly to Peter Bains, head of Commercial Strategy, Pharmaceuticals International of GSK Plc in London. The official announcement regarding the high profile appointment from the GSK Plc head quarters in London is expected shortly. Kal's new appointment was part of a new initiative at GSK Pl based on the corporate presentation "" "Tearing Down the Barriers" made by Russel Grieg, president, Pharmaceuticals International, at a Leadership Conference early this year.

With this initiative, Kal will work with appropriate area directors and country management teams in progressing this important strategic priority. He will evaluate existing initiatives and explore new business models with implementation of key activities involving several markets.

Kal's new position will be effective from January 1, 2007 and he will be based in Singapore with the new international assignment. Having served the Indian company for the last six years beginning ffrom 2000, he had handled portfolios as commercial head for the first three years and managing director of GSK India.

While serving as managing director of the Indian company, he was also in charge of commercial strategies for the South East Asian markets. Before joining the Indian company, Kal was based in Singapore as managing director of Glaxo Singapore.

During his tenure at the Indian company, the major achievements in his career was the smooth transition of two mergers "" Glaxo with SmithKline Beecham and GSK with Burroughs Welcome, in India. He could also create substantial value to GSK India by taking the annual growth rate of 13 per cent in 2003 to 33 per cent in 2006 with substantial improvement in employee productivity.

Kal, a science graduate from Madurai University and an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, joined Burroughs Wellcome, New Zealand, as Commercial Advisor in 1988. He started his career with Lovelock & Lewes, Chartered Accountants in India in 1979.

His long and varied career with Burroughs Wellcome, Glaxo Wellcome and now GlaxoSmithKline, includes assignments as Commercial Director (Burroughs Wellcome, New Zealand), General Manager "" Business Development (Glaxo Wellcome, New Zealand), and Managing Director, Glaxo Wellcome (Singapore, Indochina & Mynamar).