Fiona Smith-Laittan, Vice President of Global Health Strategy and Partnerships at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has been appointed Chair of Cambridge Global Health Partnerships (CGHP).
Fiona, who has led GSK’s Global Health Strategy & Partnerships team since 2019, said: “CGHP’s purpose, strategy and activity is aligned to what I care about most, in an area where I bring significant experience, insights and a strong network.”
“The global health funding landscape is facing significant challenges, with the multiplicative effects of poverty, conflict and climate change, exacerbated by fractured geopolitics and limited global resources. I am passionate about the need for ambitious cross-functional partnerships to drive sustainable impact in global health, which is fundamental to what CGHP stands for.”
At GSK, Fiona’s focus is on positively impacting the health of people in lower income countries through research, access and strengthened health systems. She has established the organisation’s 5-10 year Global Health strategy; prioritised investment of up to £100m a year on TB, malaria and anti-microbial resistance, and is managing significant long-term programmes with leading global health institutions.
A proud graduate of the University of Cambridge (Natural Science – Neuroscience, Emmanuel College), Fiona is passionate about the role of science and scientists for driving societal change, and the important contribution of academic excellence and international development to the UK’s position on the world stage.
Fiona joined GSK in 2005 where she’s held several key roles including Product Strategy Director for Asthma R&D, UK Dermatology & Allergy Business Unit Head, and Chief of Staff to the President of Global Affairs. Operating at the intersection of business, science and society, Fiona’s focus has increasingly been on global health strategy and responsible business programmes.
Fiona takes over from interim chair, Dr Mike Knapton, aCGHP Committee member, trustee and vice-chair of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), former Non-Executive Director at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) and current Non-Executive Director at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
Of Fiona’s appointment, Dr Mike Knapton said: “Fiona’s experience and passion for global health and research, over many years, bring much to the work of CGHP. As Cambridge Global Health Partnerships approaches its twentieth anniversary, we are looking forward and excited to work with Fiona.”
Cambridge Global Health Partnerships (CGHP) is a charitable organisation established in 2007 that facilitates equitable and collaborative health partnerships between institutions in Cambridge and the East of England and in global majority (i.e., low- and middle-income) countries. By connecting people and institutions across the world and encouraging knowledge exchange via two-way teaching, learning and training, we aim to strengthen healthcare systems and address some of the biggest health challenges of our time.
For nearly 20 years, CGHP has supported safe, ethical and effective long-term health partnerships, and provided advice, guidance and funding to individuals and teams participating in global health opportunities. CGHP-supported health partnerships bring together clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers, students and academics at all levels and disciplines in hospitals and healthcare institutions in the East of England and global majority countries.
The collaborative projects delivered are beneficial for everyone involved; growing knowledge, skills and experience for the individuals and teams while also building capacity and capability in the NHS and in partner country health systems.
More about GSK can be found at https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
Meet the rest of the CGHP team and committee.
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