Head of GSK China replaced amid corruption scandal

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GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has replaced its head of operations in China with one of its top European executives, as it continues to investigate the ongoing corruption scandal the company is involved in.

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GSK Europe senior vice-president Herve Gisserot will take over as general manager from Mark Reilly, Reuters has reported.

Reilly, who is currently in Britain, will remain an employee of GSK. Currently, he is helping the UK-based company with its ongoing Chinese bribery investigation.

A GSK spokesperson said: "From what we understand and have been told by the authorities, there are no allegations of wrongdoing against Mark."

Gisserot’s prime focus in his new role in China will be to ensure GSK’s China business continues to run smoothly amid the bribery allegations.

GSK’s finance chief for China Steve Nechelput is believed to have had travel restrictions lifted, which had been place on him by Chinese authorities. He is expected to continue his role as finance director for GSK China and will remain based there.

Four GSK executives have been detained by Chinese authorities after it was alleged the drug company passed up to £318m through travel agencies to facilitate bribes to doctors and officials.

After initially saying they could find no evidence of wrongdoing, GSK has admitted that some Chinese executives appear to have broken the law, but that head office had no knowledge of this wrongdoing.

Image: GSK’s headquarters in the UK. Photo: courtesy of Maxwell Hamilton.