Just who is Glaxo's Andrew Witty?

If yesterday was Andrew Witty's [1] debut as heir apparent to the GlaxoSmithKline CEO suite, then today is the morning-after gossip session about his prospects. Here's a sampling:

• He's young--just 43--so he has the luxury of thinking long-term strategy; he could be at Glaxo's helm for 20 years.
• He has his work cut out for him, considering Glaxo's stock decline over the past six years. Investors are impatient [2].
• He's a details man, but not a control freak
• He's a motivator, a visionary
• He's passionate about unlocking value
• His international experience will serve him in good stead as Glaxo looks to expand in Asia
• If he's so charismatic, why doesn't he step up to the mike?

And so on. As with any executive appointment, this one raises as many questions as it answers. All the Monday-morning quarterbacking in the world won't predict exactly how his tenure will unfold. But who doesn't love to speculate?

- see the article [3] from the San Diego Union Tribune
- read this Financial Times report [4]
- here's the Telegraph's skeptical commentary [5]
- read what analysts think [6] of Witty

Related Articles:
GSK taps Witty as next CEO. Report [1]
At GSK, a public race for the top spot. Report [7]
GSK chief shrugs off growing criticism. Report [8]
Riled investors look for big changes at GSK. Report [2]
GSK chief outlines big plans in R&D. Report [9]