Pharmaceutical CFO will move into post next spring
GUS has hired GlaxoSmithKline chief financial officer John Coombe as a non-executive director. He will join the retailer's board on April 1 next year. GUS chairman Sir Victor Blank said: 'I am very pleased to welcome John to GUS. He has wide ranging experience of successful growth on an international scale, which when combined with his knowledge of business and regulatory issues makes him a very well suited addition to our board.'

Coombe joined GlaxoSmithKline in 1986 and rose to finance director in 1992, where he was involved in the mergers with Wellcome, and SmithKline Beecham. He was appointed chief financial officer in 2000 and will retire from the post on March 31 next year.