GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that Sir Christopher Gent will step down as chairman of GSK at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) on 7 May 2015. He will be succeeded by Sir Philip Hampton with effect from the end of the AGM.

Sir Philip joined GSK's board as an independent non-executive director on 1 January 2015, and will become deputy chairman on 1 April 2015. Sir Philip chairs the company's nominations committee. He will remain chairman of RBS until 31 August 2015.

In addition, Mr Tom de Swaan, independent non-executive director, is not seeking re-election to the Board at the AGM. He has been a Board member for 9 years and is currently chairman of the remuneration committee and a member of the audit & risk Committee (of which he was previously chairman), and the nominations committee. A successor for Mr de Swaan as Chairman of the remuneration committee will be announced in due course.