Novartis reshuffles senior leadership chairs, splits operations into technical operations and business services

Novartis has made several changes as it added several figures in the team starting April, while its Operations president, André Wyss, has decided to step down. As a result, Novartis Operations will be split into Novartis Technical Operations and Novartis Business Services.

Novartis has named Bertrand Bodson, Chief Digital Officer, Steffen Lang, Global Head Novartis Technical Operations, and Shannon Klinger, Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer, have been appointed to the Executive Committee of Novartis (ECN).

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, said the changes were made to “harness the full strength of Novartis” as the company builds into the leading medicines company, powered by data and digital. “The appointments of Bertrand Bodson, Steffen Lang and Shannon Klinger to the ECN will help us accelerate our efforts to lead in data and digital, increase our focus on operational execution, and reinforce our commitment to return more to society than we take,” Narasimhan said.

The drugmaker’s CEO, Dr. Narasimhan, said about André Wyss’s decision to leave Novartis to start a new chapter in his career, that his journey is unique, as he grew from a chemistry apprentice in manufacturing all the way to the Executive Committee as the President of Novartis Operations and Country President for Switzerland. “I am very grateful for all the opportunities Novartis has offered me throughout my career,” said Mr. Wyss. “With our strategy clearly defined and our transformation successfully completed, I am confident the organization is well set up for future success. I can therefore leave in good faith, looking forward to exciting new chapters.”

Novartis said in the press release that, after stepping down, Wyss will be available to support a proper handover.

Steffen Lang, who joined Novartis in 1994, Global Head Novartis Technical Operations, will report directly to the CEO and become a member of the ECN. Lang served as Global Head Biologics Technical Development and Manufacturing, and Global Head Technical R&D prior to his current role.

Philippe Barrois, Head Novartis Corporate Affairs, will lead the Novartis Business Services organization ad interim. An internal and external search for a new Head of Novartis Business Services has started. Matthias Leuenberger, Delegate Novartis Switzerland, will assume the role of Country President for Switzerland.

Bertrand Bodson, Chief Digital Officer, will become a member of the ECN. He joined Novartis on January 1, 2018 and has begun to shape the new Digital organization across Novartis. Mr. Bodson brings extensive digital leadership experience, and a proven track record in creating and implementing digital innovation and culture change across global companies such as Sainsbury Argos, Amazon and EMI Music.

Shannon Klinger will join the ECN and her role will be expanded to Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer allowing for an integrated approach to risk identification and management that is aligned with our commitment to hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in all of our activities. She joined Novartis in 2011, as General Counsel, North America, Sandoz US. She was then appointed Global Head Legal and General Counsel for Sandoz, before assuming her current role of Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Head of Litigation.

Image: FILE PHOTO: The logo of Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG is seen at its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo