Takeda Announces Resignation of James Kehoe and Appointment of Costa Saroukos as CFO

Osaka, Japan, March 8, 2018 --- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) (“Takeda”) today announced that James Kehoe, Chief Financial Officer, has decided to pursue other career opportunity in the United States, outside of the pharmaceutical sector. Mr. Kehoe will step down from CFO on March 31, 2018. He will resign from the Board of Directors and leave Takeda on May 31, 2018. Costa Saroukos, CFO of Takeda's Europe and Canada (EUCAN) Business Unit, will be appointed as Takeda’s new CFO, effective April 1, 2018.

 

Since joining Takeda as CFO in June 2016, Mr. Kehoe has strengthened the Global Finance function to drive sustainable long-term future growth and performance. Through his leadership, he has elevated Takeda’s operational business performance while spearheading the Global Opex Initiative, which will continue to improve profitability.

 

Mr. Saroukos has been CFO of Takeda’s EUCAN Business Unit since 2015. With over 20 years of experience, he has held a number of leadership positions in finance in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Prior to joining Takeda, he was the Head of Finance and Business Development for the Asia-Pacific region, and before that the Finance Director for Greater China and Japan at Allergan. During his tenure, China and Japan became the fastest growing region in the company. Prior to this role, he spent 13 years at Merck & Co. where he held a number of finance leadership positions, including Executive Finance Director in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr. Saroukos will report to Christophe Weber, President and CEO, and will be based in Tokyo, Japan.

 

“We are excited for Costa to take on this new role as CFO,” said Weber. “For the past three years, he has been overseeing the EUCAN Business Unit’s finance team and has played an instrumental role in the enhancement of Takeda’s presence in Europe and Canada. He also was extremely involved in global programs especially the Global Opex Initiative. We expect a seamless transition and are confident that his leadership will contribute to Takeda's mid- and long-term growth. ”

For details, please visit Conference Call Regarding CFO Transition Held on March 9, 2018

 

---

 

Kazumi Kobayashi
[email protected]
+81-3-3278-2095