Sir Christopher Gent has been non-executive chairman of GlaxoSmithKline plc since January 2005. He was non-executive deputy chairman of GlaxoSmithKline plc from June 2004 to January 2005. Prior to his retirement in July 2003, he had been a member of the Board of Directors of Vodafone Group Plc since August 1985 and its chief executive officer since January 1997. Sir Christopher joined Vodafone as managing director of Vodafone Limited in January 1985 when the mobile phone service was first launched and held that position until December 1996. Prior to joining Vodafone, Sir Christopher was director of Network Services for ICL. In this role, he was managing director of Baric, a computer services company owned jointly by Barclays and ICL, and was responsible for ICL's computer bureau services worldwide. Sir Christopher was Knighted for his services to the mobile telecommunications industry in 2001. He is a director of Ferrari SpA, a member of the Financial Reporting Council, a senior advisor to Bain & Company, Inc. and a member of the advisory board of Reform. He served as the national chairman of the Young Conservatives from 1977 to 1979, and was vice president of the Computer Services Association Council at the time he left ICL. Sir Christopher has been a director of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. since 2003. He serves as a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Benefits Committee. |