JP Garnier to head France's Pierre Fabre

Former GlaxoSmithKline chief executive JP Garnier is returning to his roots with his appointment as general manager of France's health and beauty company Pierre Fabre. The announcement marks Garnier's first major executive move since he retired as ceo of GSK at the end of May, where he was succeeded by Andrew Witty.

The company's founder, 82-year-old Pierre Fabre, is transferring his 60% stake in the group to a foundation set up in 1999 to ensure its independence. The shares transfer by Fabre, who has no children, is aimed at ensuring the company's long-term independence.

The structure of the Pierre Fabre group is also being altered to include a supervisory committee, which will be chaired by Fabre, with Garnier heading the management board.

"We are fortunate to have a man with so much experience in the global pharmaceuticals arena in the person of Jean-Pierre Garnier, who will enable us to successfully sustain the considerable r&d efforts the company has been making over the past few years and amplify its growth.," said Fabre.

Founded in 1961 in Castres, south west France, Pierre Fabre is France's second-biggest pharma company, employing nearly 10,000 people worldwide. Its turnover in 2007 was b1.7bn.

Garnier's appointment is in addition to a number of other senior advisory roles he already holds, including non-executive roles at United Technologies, Renault and Dubai Capital.