IR TV: Sonya Ghobrial of Haleon on challenges of demerging from GSK

Difficulties surround building IR team from scratch

It has been more than a year since British multinational consumer healthcare company Haleon demerged from pharmaceutical giant GSK.

Since then, Haleon has listed on the London Stock Exchange and established its own identity as a consumer brand, stepping out of GSK’s shadow.

IR Magazine sat down with Sonya Ghobrial, head of investor relations at the consumer health company, to discuss the process of creating an IR team from scratch as well as the challenges of Haleon becoming its own entity.

‘It’s been a journey,’ she says. ‘I think I would say don’t underestimate the transformation from being part of a bigger entity to suddenly being a stand-alone firm. The other big difference for us was that we came out of GSK, which was covered by pharmaceutical sector analysts, so moving to the consumer sector into household personal goods was an education.’

While acknowledging the challenges associated with setting up an IR team at Haleon, Ghobrial says it’s been very rewarding and an ‘amazing experience’.

‘I think the challenge has probably been around education and building things from scratch. But the strength has been the phenomenal team members: I am incredibly lucky to have them and we wouldn’t be where we are now without them,’ she adds.

The full interview is available to listen to on the latest Ticker podcast episode.

Share this on:


Upcoming events

  • Briefing – Lessons from the 2025 Proxy Season
    Tuesday, July 22, 2025

    Briefing – Lessons from the 2025 Proxy Season

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm BST / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event The 2025 proxy season was influenced by several key issues, including changes announced in Staff Legal Bulletin 14M regarding the interpretation of Rule 14a-8, and…

    Online
  • Briefing – Effective earnings preparation amid macro volatility
    Thursday, August 07, 2025

    Briefing – Effective earnings preparation amid macro volatility

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm BST / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event Amid constant tariff news, geopolitical upheaval and other developments stemming from the new US administration, IR teams have their work cut out as they prepare…

    Online
  • IR Impact Forum – AI & Technology
    Wednesday, November 12, 2025

    IR Impact Forum – AI & Technology

    About the event As more investors and corporate communication teams embrace AI, machine learning and emerging technologies to inform their decision-making, investor relations professionals are facing a pivotal moment: adapt and lead, or risk falling behind. At this early but fast-moving stage of adoption, IR teams are asking important questions…

    New York, US

Explore

Andy White, Freelance WordPress Developer London