The Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, has appointed Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis AG, to its board of directors, effective March 1, 2018. 

Jimenez has served as CEO of Novartis since 2010, managing the company’s diversified healthcare portfolio of leading businesses in innovative pharmaceuticals, eye care, generics, consumer health, vaccines, and diagnostics. During his tenure, Jimenez focused on leading global businesses, while divesting non-core divisions. He helped reshape Novartis through a series of complex transactions worth more than $30 billion in 2015 and put a new operating model in place that allowed Novartis to be more efficient, sustain its investments in research and development, and focus resources on customers. 

"Joe has a distinguished track record of success in healthcare, consumer products and international businesses," said David S. Taylor, P&G’s chairman, president, and CEO. "We will deeply benefit from Joe’s experience, expertise, and leadership as we continue to transform P&G." 

Jim McNerney, P&G’s lead director, said that "we are fortunate to be able to add Joe Jimenez, a highly experienced and accomplished leader in the consumer products industry, to our board. We appreciate the input we have received from shareholders as we continue to refresh our board." 

Jimenez said that "I’m honored to be appointed to the board of directors. P&G is one of the most respected companies, recognized for its exemplary consumer focus. I look forward to being part of a strong team contributing to this great company’s transformation and future success."