GlaxoSmithKline CEO Andrew Witty to Retire in March 2017

  • Board will search for CEO candidate inside, outside drugmaker
  • Chairman Hampton also plans `board refreshment' this year
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GlaxoSmithKline Plc Chairman Phil Hampton began an overhaul of the biggest U.K. drugmaker by launching a search for Chief Executive Officer Andrew Witty’s successor and replacing a third of the board as he seeks to pacify some disgruntled investors.

Witty, 51, will retire next March, after almost a decade at the helm, the London-based company said in a statement Bloomberg Terminalon Thursday. Glaxo also plans what Hampton termed a “board refreshment” as directors Deryck Maughan, Stephanie Burns, Daniel Podolsky and Hans Wijers won’t stand for re-election at the annual meeting in May.