Australia's CSL names GSK exec Deborah Waterhouse as next CEO
CSL•CSL named ViiV Healthcare CEO Deborah Waterhouse as its next chief executive and managing director, effective February 1, 2027. Interim CEO Gordon Naylor will remain in the role until then and return to the board as a non-executive director.
1. CEO appointment
CSL named Deborah Waterhouse as its next chief executive and managing director, effective February 1, 2027. Waterhouse is currently CEO of ViiV Healthcare and president of GSK Global Health.
2. Leadership transition
Interim CEO and managing director Gordon Naylor will continue in those roles until February 2027, when he will resume his position on CSL’s board as a non-executive director, the company said in an exchange filing.
3. Recent challenges
The appointment follows investor pressure after CSL announced plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs and postponed the spin-off of its Seqirus vaccines business. The company has also faced scrutiny over impairments linked to its 2022 purchase of Vifor Pharma and the earlier announcement of CEO Paul McKenzie’s retirement. CSL shares closed down 0.1% at A$196.08 on Wednesday.
