Ian C. Read

Ian C. Read was the Executive Chairman of Pfizer’s Board of Directors. In his previous role, Mr. Read served as Pfizer’s Chairman beginning in December 2011, and Chief Executive Officer beginning in December 2010. Ian also served on the Boards of PhRMA, Kimberly-Clark and the Partnership for NYC.  He retired on December 31, 2019.

Previously, Ian served as Senior Vice President, Pfizer, and Group President of the Worldwide Biopharmaceutical Businesses, which he led from 2006 through December 2010. In that role, he oversaw five global business units - Primary Care, Specialty Care, Oncology, Established Products and Emerging Markets.

Ian began his career with Pfizer in 1978 as an operational auditor. He worked in Latin America through 1995, holding positions in a number of Pfizer’s largest, fastest-growing operations, including Chief Financial Officer, Pfizer Mexico, and Country Manager, Pfizer Brazil. In 1996, Ian was appointed President of Pfizer’s International Pharmaceuticals Group, with responsibility for Latin America and Canada. He became Executive Vice President, Europe, in 2000, was named a Corporate Vice President in 2001, and assumed responsibility for Canada, in addition to Europe, in 2002. Ian later took on responsibility for operations in both the Africa/Middle East region and Latin America as well.

Ian received his B.Sc. in chemical engineering from London University Imperial College in 1974. He earned his Chartered Accountants certification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales in 1978.