HP Names Emma Walmsley CEO Starting January 2027
Businesses that buy from or supply HP should plan around a new CEO taking over January 4, 2027, with Bruce Broussard becoming Board Chair.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
HP Inc.'s Board of Directors unanimously appointed Emma Walmsley, former CEO of GSK, as Chief Executive Officer effective January 4, 2027. Bruce Broussard, currently Interim CEO, will become Board Chair on that date, succeeding Chip Bergh.
Why it matters
The leadership change puts a new chief executive in charge of a company operating in more than 180 countries, with HP stating its focus is harnessing the AI era to unlock new growth. For operators, a CEO transition can shift procurement, pricing and vendor priorities, so the timing gives businesses that buy or sell HP hardware a window to plan.
Walmsley brings nearly nine years leading GSK and 17 years at L'Oréal before that, with seven years on Microsoft's Board. HP operates in more than 180 countries, and the transition takes effect January 4, 2027, 61 days after the announcement.
The players
HP Inc.
A global personal computing and printing company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with operations in more than 180 countries.
Emma Walmsley
Former Chief Executive Officer of GSK who previously spent 17 years at L'Oréal and has served on Microsoft's Board for seven years.
Bruce Broussard
HP's Interim Chief Executive Officer since February 2026, who will become Chair of the Board on January 4, 2027.
Chip Bergh
Chair of HP's Board since 2017 and a Board director since 2015, who will hand over the chair position to Broussard.
The details
The Board ran a comprehensive global search before selecting Walmsley, whose background includes leading GSK's separation of its consumer healthcare business. Broussard, who has held the interim role since February 2026, moves into the Board chair position, while Bergh remains Chair until the handover. HP has framed the appointment around positioning the company for growth in the AI era.
Timeline
February 2026: Bruce Broussard began serving as Interim CEO.
November 4, 2026: HP announced Emma Walmsley's appointment as CEO.
January 4, 2027: Walmsley assumes the CEO role and Broussard becomes Board Chair.
Market Landscape
Walmsley's GSK tenure included leading the separation of its consumer healthcare business, a portfolio-restructuring precedent relevant to a large multinational. HP's move to a new CEO follows an interim period that began in February 2026, placing the company's leadership change within a broader reshaping of its executive team.
Operators who buy HP hardware or supplies should watch for any shifts in pricing, product or vendor priorities as the new CEO takes over in January 2027. Companies that depend on HP as a supplier should review contract terms and renewal timing ahead of the handover.
The takeaway
HP's leadership handover is set for January 4, 2027, so businesses with HP contracts should calendar that date and review supplier terms before the transition. Track whether the new CEO's strategy around AI-era growth translates into changes in product lines or pricing in the months that follow.
What happens next
The leadership transition takes effect on January 4, 2027, when Walmsley assumes the CEO role and Broussard becomes Board Chair, with Bergh remaining Chair until that date.
Further reading
For more on executive moves like this one, explore the People section of our business coverage.
