GSK in brief
- Rank: #7 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #2 of 5 in Healthcare & Pharma.
- WCRC Power Score: 71.88 out of 100.
- Founded: 2000, by Merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham.
- Owner: GSK plc, London, England.
- Leadership: Luke Miels, Chief Executive Officer.
- Latest revenue: £32.7bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +4.0%), group revenue of GSK plc, as per company filings.
What makes GSK powerful
GSK enters 2026 with higher profits and a clearer focus on specialty medicines. Turnover reached £32.7bn in 2025, up 4% at actual rates and 7% at constant exchange rates, while core operating profit rose to £9.8bn, a margin close to 30%. Specialty Medicines grew 17% to £13.5bn, with HIV up 11% to £7.7bn and oncology up 43% to £2.0bn.
Its vaccines remain a global public-health asset. Shingrix sold £3.6bn and meningitis vaccines £1.6bn, while the respiratory medicine Trelegy reached £3.0bn. That spread across infectious disease, respiratory, immunology and cancer gives GSK relationships with health systems worldwide. A new chief executive, Luke Miels, is now steering the group towards its ambition of more than £40bn in sales by 2031, backed by the cash flow of an established portfolio.
GSK aims to grow annual sales to more than £40bn by 2031.
Why GSK ranks #7
GSK ranks seventh with a WCRC Power Score of 71.88, just behind HSBC and ahead of Shell. Product & innovation is its strongest pillar at 76, reflecting a specialty medicines and vaccines portfolio that delivered £32.7bn of turnover in 2025. Positioning & recall and Digital & financial both score 74. Trust and Sustainability & governance, at 68 each, hold it back from the very top, as investors weigh slower growth and patent expiries ahead.
The Achilles' heel
GSK has told investors that growth will slow. Its 2026 guidance points to turnover growth of only 3% to 5%, down from 7% at constant currency in 2025, and press coverage linked the slowdown to looming patent losses. With HIV medicines now worth £7.7bn a year, the pipeline must replace maturing products on time if GSK is to reach its ambition of more than £40bn in sales by 2031.
The 2026 story
In February 2026 GSK reported 2025 turnover of £32.7bn, up 7% at constant exchange rates, and core operating profit of £9.8bn, and reaffirmed its outlook of more than £40bn of sales by 2031. Its first results under chief executive Luke Miels guided to 3% to 5% turnover growth and 7% to 9% growth in core operating profit and core earnings per share for 2026, as specialty medicines, up 17% to £13.5bn, become a larger share of the business.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is GSK in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
GSK ranks #7 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 71.88 out of 100.
What makes GSK powerful?
A broad portfolio led by specialty medicines and vaccines such as Shingrix, Trelegy and its HIV franchise gives GSK scale in fast-growing therapy areas.
What is GSK's revenue?
£32.7bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +4.0%), group revenue of GSK plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns GSK?
GSK was founded in 2000 by Merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. It is owned by GSK plc and based in London, England.
Who leads GSK?
Luke Miels, Chief Executive Officer.
What is GSK's biggest challenge?
Sales growth is set to slow in 2026 as patent expiries approach.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Healthcare & Pharma brands
- Top 10 Best British Brands
- UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- Biggest British Brands by Revenue
- Most Famous British Brands
- UK's Most Trusted Brands
- Most Innovative British Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | GSK |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | GSK plc |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder(s) | Merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham |
| Leadership | Luke Miels, Chief Executive Officer |
| Latest revenue | £32.7bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +4.0%), group revenue of GSK plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Healthcare & Pharma |
| Website | gsk.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by GSK plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
