November 26, 2012, by Fraser

Nottingham’s Sir Andrew Witty elected into Academy of Medical Sciences

Nottingham’s Chancellor in waiting Sir Andrew Witty has been elected to the Honorary Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

This honour is a result of Sir Andrew’s outstanding contribution to medical science, including in his role as CEO of pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

It has been a big year for Sir Andrew after his appointment as The University of Nottingham’s seventh Chancellor in October. He will take up the post on 1 January 2013.

Major role in promoting wider access to pharmaceuticals

Professor John Tooke, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “I am delighted that Sir Andrew Witty has been elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He has led the way in developing new models of innovation, encouraging collaboration with academia, and has played a major international role in promoting wider access to pharmaceutical products.

“Sir Andrew is a passionate supporter of the Life Sciences in the UK and typifies the new face of the pharmaceutical world – one that strives for leadership, innovation and collaboration both at home and internationally.

“It is wonderful that the Academy is able to recognise Sir Andrew for his efforts to maintain a vibrant, innovative and successful pharmaceutical industry in the UK, and for his impact on global health.”

Sir Andrew and Nottingham

Sir Andrew graduated from The University of Nottingham in 1985 with a joint honours BA in Economics. He joined Glaxo in the same year, holding a variety of roles before being appointed President of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Europe in 2003.

He became Chief Executive Officer of GSK in 2008 and was knighted for services to the economy and to the UK pharmaceutical industry in the 2012 New Year Honours.

Sir Andrew is being inducted alongside Professor Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, Director of Unite de Regulation des Infections Retrovirales, Baron Martin Rees of Ludlow, Former Master of Trinity College Cambridge and past President of the Royal Society, and Baroness Mary Warnock of Weeks, House of Lords.

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