Consumer healthcare business Perrigo Company has appointed Charles Atkinson as general counsel, replacing interim GC Todd Kingma.

Atkinson joins from Haleon, where he was serving as interim GC. At Perrigo, he will bring almost a quarter of a century of legal experience in the consumer self-care industry.

Perrigo, whose corporate headquarters are in Dublin, sells private label and branded over-the-counter products such as headache tablets, cough medicine, vitamins and supplements. Atkinson will primarily be based in New Jersey and its North American headquarters in Michigan.

Patrick Lockwood-Taylor, president and CEO of Perrigo, said: “I'm excited to welcome Charles to the Perrigo leadership team. His strategic insights, deep understanding of global regulatory landscapes and intellectual property background will be instrumental as we continue to consumerise our business.”

Atkinson arrives after just over two years at Haleon, having previously worked at GSK for close to two decades as associate GC before it span out its consumer healthcare business to create Haleon. He was made head of corporate legal on its formation, before stepping in as interim GC in March when GC Bjarne Philip Tellmann left to join Saudi Aramco.

Prior to joining GSK, Atkinson worked in private practice at Addleshaw Goddard.

He said: “I am thrilled to join Perrigo at such an exciting time. Together with the team, I am confident that we will elevate the company’s position as a leader in the consumer self-care industry.”

Kingma, meantime, departs after coming out of retirement in May to serve as interim GC when previous GC Kyle Hanson stepped down from the role. Hanson was retained as a special counsel and interim GC for litigation until 15 September, when he is due to move to an advisory role for the rest of the year.

Kingma had previously been Perrigo’s GC before his initial retirement in August 2022 after 19 years with the company.

Lockwood-Taylor said: “We greatly appreciate Todd for his willingness to step in and provide leadership continuity as well as steady guidance on all legal matters. We wish him all the best as he resumes his retirement.”

Haleon, meantime, lined up Tesco legal head Adrian Morris as its next GC, with Atkinson stepping in as interim while Morris served out his notice at the UK supermarket chain.