GSK has announced the creation of a new chief digital and technology officer role, as part of the company’s ongoing digital agenda. The appointment of former Wal-Mart CIO Karenann Terrell was made public a day before the quarterly results were published – reiterating the company’s commitment to digital transformation as a top business priority.

Farida Gibbs, founder and CEO of Gibbs Hybrid, says, “GSK’s move to create a new senior role responsible for digital change is admirable, as it points to the growing realisation that it should be a boardroom priority across every industry.

“Of course, the challenge when making these high-level appointments is that the tech skills shortage we see across almost all areas of the industry is exacerbated when it comes to boardroom talent. GSK has been able to secure the talents of Terrell, who was responsible for Walmart’s CIO brief, but board-level digital experience is hard to come by.

“Capitalising on the latest opportunities and improving business results through technology is a task that requires many businesses to prioritise board-level training and also the process of building a pipeline of digital talent that can, eventually, step into senior business roles. In the short-term, those who want to signal their digital intentions might consider more flexible solutions – such as consultants who can act as a catalyst to kick-start the digital conversation.”