HP CEO Emma Walmsley to Take Charge in January 2027
HP CEO Emma Walmsley will take charge of the technology company on January 4, 2027, following her appointment as its next chief executive. The former GSK chief will succeed interim CEO Bruce Broussard, marking a major leadership change as HP navigates shifts in the personal-computing market and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
HP announced on November 4 that its board of directors had unanimously approved Walmsley's appointment. She will also join HP's board when she assumes the role. Broussard, who has served as interim CEO since February 2026, will become chair of the board on the same date, succeeding Chip Bergh.
HP CEO Emma Walmsley Brings Experience Across Industries
Walmsley led pharmaceutical company GSK from April 2017 until December 2025. During her tenure, she oversaw a major business transformation, sharpened the company's focus on specialty medicines and vaccines, and strengthened its research and development pipeline.
One of the defining developments during her leadership was the separation of GSK's consumer healthcare business, which became the independently listed company Haleon in 2022. Before joining GSK in 2010, Walmsley spent 17 years at L'Oréal in several international management and business leadership roles.
She also brings experience from the technology sector through her seven years as a member of Microsoft's board of directors. That background gives her exposure to the technology industry, although her executive leadership experience has primarily been outside the hardware business.
HP Faces Challenges in the AI and PC Markets
Walmsley will take over at a time when the computer industry is facing supply pressures and changing demand. The expansion of AI data centres has increased competition for memory chips, creating cost challenges for PC manufacturers.
HP must also respond to a changing personal-computing market as businesses and consumers consider AI-enabled devices. The company's next phase will involve balancing its established PC and printing operations with opportunities emerging from AI-powered hardware and workplace technology.
HP has identified AI as a major part of its future direction. In its announcement, Walmsley said she intends to focus on the opportunities created by the AI era and use the company's innovation capabilities to develop new sources of growth.
Bruce Broussard to Become HP Board Chair
The appointment also reshapes HP's board leadership. Broussard will move from the interim CEO position to board chair on January 4, 2027. He will replace Chip Bergh, who has held the chair position since 2017 and will remain on the board as a director.
The transition follows HP's search for a permanent chief executive after Enrique Lores stepped down in February 2026. Walmsley's appointment brings that search to a close and places an executive with experience in large-scale business transformation at the head of the company.
Her ability to apply that experience to a technology business will be closely watched as HP works through supply-chain pressures, evolving customer demand and the expansion of AI across personal computing.
