UK News
GlaxoSmithKline has chosen to establish its new headquarters in London’s West End, on the corner of New Oxford Street and Earnshaw Street in the Capital’s centre. The new hub is expected to open in 2024.
The building is currently still under construction but it is scheduled to be completed next year. The new headquarters marks part of GSK’s plans to locate itself within ‘London’s Knowledge Quarter’, an area filled with universities, such as University College London, and other scientific and research organisations.
GSK’s new HQ will have space for approximately 3,000 staff, and marks something of a homecoming for the company, which was established as Plough Court Pharmacy in the City of London in 1715. The company moves to its new West End home from its old offices in Brentford, West London. The company’s plans to move its offices followed its split from consumer healthcare business Haleon, which took place in the summer.
Haleon, GSK’s previous partner, is also constructing a new head office for £120m. Its office will be based in Weybridge. Following their split, Haleon’s shares gained 1% while GSK’s fell 0.9%. Emma Walmsley, GSK’s chief executive officer and board director, commented: “As a global biopharma company, we are proud to call London our home and look forward to the opportunities for even closer collaboration with the city’s world-class science, academic and healthcare institutions.”