As GlaxoSmithKline boss Andrew Witty celebrates his second anniversary at the helm of the pharma group, one of his former rivals, David Stout , has been hired as a director at Ireland-based speciality drugs company Shire.

Mr Stout, an American who previously headed GSK's pharmaceuticals division, left after he lost out to Mr Witty in the race to succeed Jean-Pierre Garnier as chief executive.