GSK have called the UK an ‘attractive location for investment in advanced manufacturing’, citing a skilled workforce and existing scientific infrastructure. The news has come despite the recent Brexit decision; before the EU referendum, the company’s CEO Andrew Witty was a vocal supporter of the Remain campaign.
The investment will be spread across three of GSK’s nine UK sites: Barnard Castle in County Durham, Montrose in Scotland and Ware in Hertfordshire (pictured). Between them, the three sites employ almost 3,000 people – half of GSK’s workforce in the country. The sites will be tasked with producing and delivering the company’s latest respiratory and large molecule biological medicines. Of these, the vast majority will be destined for export abroad. The company is also investing heavily in its workforce, and several new job opportunities are set to arise.
Commenting on the investment, Witty said: “It is testament to our skilled UK workforce and the country’s leading position in life sciences that we are making these investments in advanced manufacturing here. From their manufacture in the UK, many of these medicines will be sent to patients around the world.”
