Peter Harding, currently general manager of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, has taken over as the new president of PAGB, the UK trade association for manufacturers of over-the-counter medicines and food supplements.

Peter has been with GSK for a number of years and has held a range of increasingly senior positions.  Most recently he led GSK’s Nutritional Healthcare business as General Manager where he was successful in delivering long term growth for its drinks brands.

In 2012 he took up the leadership of GSK’s Consumer Healthcare business in the UK and Ireland, encompassing the company’s nutritional healthcare, oral health, wellness and skincare brands.

Sheila Kelly, PAGB chief executive, said:  “I am delighted that Peter has been willing to take on the role of PAGB president and I look forward to working with him to deliver the programmes that will help stimulate the development of the OTC market in the UK.”

Harding said:  “I’m very pleased to be taking up this role at a time when our industry continues to be faced with a lot of change.  I’m very excited by the work programmes that we’ve put in place in 2012 and genuinely believe that these initiatives will contribute positively to driving innovation in our sector and growth in the market.”