GSK plc has today announced that Dr Gavin Screaton will join the board of the company as a non-executive director. Screaton’s appointment follows a search to replace the skills and experience of Dr Jesse Goodman, who is stepping down after nine years of service.

Screaton is currently head of the Medical Sciences Division at the University of Oxford, and an expert in the field of immunology and infectious diseases. On appointment, he will become a member of the GSK board science committee and the corporate responsibility committee.

A former senior investigator at the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, Screaton is also a non-executive director of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and a trustee of the Jenner Vaccine Foundation.

He co-founded RQ Bio, a biotech company focused on development of preventative medicines to provide immunity and protection against viral infectious diseases.

Sir Jonathan Symonds, chair of GSK, said, “We are delighted to welcome Gavin to the board of GSK. His deep expertise in immunology and infectious diseases, which are core areas of scientific research focus for GSK, together with his considerable experience in public health, will bring valuable perspective to the board.

Symonds also paid tribute to Jesse Goodman’s “fantastic contribution to GSK”, adding that the board “has benefitted hugely from Jesse’s wealth of expertise in infectious diseases, regulation and public health”.