Name:John Lechleiter.

Age:54.

Position:Chief executive of US pharmaceuticals giant Eli Lilly.

Family:Married to Sarah with three adult children.

Education:Graduated from Xavier University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry before completing Master's and PhD studies in Harvard.

Outside interests:Likely to have less time to himself in his new role but remains a keen golfer.

Something you might expect:He is a director of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a lobby group representing the research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Something that might surprise:Writes his own regular blog for employees.