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AstraZeneca adds Wan Ling Martello to board

(Neutral)
(Neutral)
Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has appointed Wan Ling Martello as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 September 2026. She will also join the company’s Audit Committee on her appointment. The Board highlights her extensive international executive and board experience across consumer products, retail and technology-enabled business models.

Martello is a founding partner of private equity firm BayPine and serves as an Independent Director of Alibaba Group and Director of The Lovesac Company. Her previous senior roles include global CFO and later CEO of Nestlé’s Asia, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa business, along with leadership positions at Walmart and other consumer companies. AstraZeneca states that, aside from the information disclosed, no further UK Financial Conduct Authority Listing Rules disclosures are required regarding her appointment.

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Board appointment effective date 1 September 2026 Effective date of Wan Ling Martello’s appointment as Non-Executive Director
Uber Technologies board tenure start June 2017 Start of period when Wan Ling Martello served as a director of Uber Technologies, Inc.
Uber Technologies board tenure end May 2025 End of period when Wan Ling Martello served as a director of Uber Technologies, Inc.
Stellantis board tenure start January 2021 Start of period when Wan Ling Martello was an independent non-executive director of Stellantis N.V.
Stellantis board tenure end April 2025 End of period when Wan Ling Martello was an independent non-executive director of Stellantis N.V.
Countries where medicines are sold more than 125 countries Scope of AstraZeneca’s global commercial footprint
Non-Executive Director regulatory
"has been appointed as Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 September 2026"
A non-executive director is a member of a company’s board who does not work for the company day-to-day but provides independent oversight, strategic guidance and checks on management. For investors, they matter because they act like an impartial referee or outside advisor, helping ensure decisions protect shareholder interests, reduce risks of poor governance, and add credibility to financial reporting and long-term strategy.
Audit Committee regulatory
"Wan Ling will become a member of the Audit Committee on appointment"
A company's audit committee is a small group of board members who act like independent inspectors for the firm's finances, overseeing how financial reports are prepared, monitoring internal controls, and managing the relationship with external auditors. Investors care because a strong audit committee reduces the risk of accounting errors, fraud, or misleading statements, making financial statements more trustworthy and helping protect shareholder value.
Listing Rules regulatory
"under paragraphs (1) to (6) of UKLR 6.4.8 R of the UK Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules"
Listing rules are the set of requirements a stock exchange and regulators impose on companies to join and stay on the exchange, covering things like financial reporting, disclosures, governance and minimum size. They matter to investors because those rules create a basic level of transparency and behavior—think of them as marketplace rules that make it easier to compare sellers, reduce surprises, and protect liquidity and value; breaking the rules can lead to fines, trading suspensions or delisting.
biopharmaceutical medical
"is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery"
A biopharmaceutical is a medicine made from living organisms or their components—such as proteins, cells or genetic material—rather than chemically synthesized compounds. For investors, these products can command high prices and long patent protection but also carry bigger development, manufacturing and regulatory risks; think of them like handcrafted, high-tech products that can generate strong returns if they work, but are costly and complex to produce.
digital transformation technical
"expertise in B2C technology-enabled business models and digital transformation"
Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to fundamentally change how organizations operate, deliver value, and connect with customers. It often involves updating systems, automating tasks, and improving digital tools to increase efficiency and stay competitive. For investors, it signifies a company's ability to adapt to technological advances, which can impact its growth prospects and long-term success.

FAQ

What board change did AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) announce in this 6-K?

AstraZeneca PLC announced that Wan Ling Martello has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director, effective 1 September 2026, and that she will become a member of the company’s Audit Committee on her appointment to the Board.

What role will Wan Ling Martello have on AstraZeneca’s board (AZN)?

Wan Ling Martello will serve as a Non-Executive Director of AstraZeneca PLC and will also be a member of the Audit Committee, contributing her finance and digital transformation experience to the Board’s oversight responsibilities.

What is Wan Ling Martello’s professional background relevant to AstraZeneca (AZN)?

Wan Ling Martello has held senior roles at Nestlé including global CFO and CEO of the Asia, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa business, and has worked at Walmart and other consumer companies, with significant expertise in B2C technology-enabled models and digital transformation.

What other board positions does Wan Ling Martello hold alongside her AstraZeneca (AZN) role?

Alongside her AstraZeneca role, Wan Ling Martello is a founding partner of BayPine, an Independent Director of Alibaba Group, and a Director of The Lovesac Company. She previously served on the boards of Uber Technologies, Inc. and Stellantis N.V.

Are there additional regulatory disclosures required for Wan Ling Martello’s AstraZeneca (AZN) appointment?

AstraZeneca states that, except for the information provided, no disclosure obligations arise under paragraphs (1) to (6) of UKLR 6.4.8 R of the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules in respect of Wan Ling Martello’s appointment.

What sectors does AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) focus on?

AstraZeneca focuses on Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory & Immunology, and sells its medicines in more than 125 countries worldwide.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Learn about SEC filing dates
FORM 6-K
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of September 2026 
 
Commission File Number: 001-11960
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
United Kingdom
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes __ No X
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________
 
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
1. Directorate change
 
 
1 September 2026
 
Non-Executive Board Appointment
 
AstraZeneca PLC announced today that Wan Ling Martello has been appointed as Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 September 2026.
 
Wan Ling will become a member of the Audit Committee on appointment to the Board.
 
Wan Ling Martello is a founding partner of BayPine, Independent Director of the Alibaba Group and Director of The Lovesac Company. Further biographical details are set out below.
 
Michel Demaré, Chair of AstraZeneca, said "I am delighted that Wan Ling has accepted our invitation to join the AstraZeneca Board. Wan Ling's substantial international experience as an executive leader and as a board member at large global businesses and in several industries, will undoubtedly bring a valuable contribution to the Board. Her CFO and digital transformation experience will have a significant impact on her work on the Audit Committee and the Board as a whole."
 
Biographical details - Wan Ling Martello
 
Wan Ling Martello has spent most of her career leading executive teams and organisations in the consumer products and retail industries, and has significant expertise in B2C technology-enabled business models and digital transformation. She has held senior leadership roles at Nestlé, Walmart, NCH Marketing Services (a former subsidiary of Nielsen), Borden Foods and Kraft Foods.
 
Among her career highlights, Wan Ling served as Nestlé SA's global CFO, where she revitalised the global finance organisation, established a new data-driven resource allocation and portfolio management framework for the entire company, and led numerous M&A transactions. She was then appointed as CEO of Nestlé's Asia, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa (AOA) business and re-focused the entire business on driving growth and using digital transformation initiatives to drive greater consumer engagement. Wan Ling is a founding partner of BayPine, a private equity firm based in Boston, USA.
 
In addition to her role at BayPine, Wan Ling is an Independent Director of Alibaba Group, listed on the New York Stock Exchange and a Director of The Lovesac Company, listed on Nasdaq.  From June 2017 to May 2025, Wan Ling was a director of Uber Technologies, Inc. (listed on the New York Stock Exchange from May 2019), and from January 2021 to April 2025, Wan Ling was an independent non-executive director of Stellantis N.V. (listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Euronext Milan and Euronext Paris).  
 
Wan Ling holds a BS from the University of the Philippines and an MBA-MIS from the University of Minnesota.
 
Except as set out above, no disclosure obligations arise under paragraphs (1) to (6) of UKLR 6.4.8 R of the UK Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules in respect of Wan Ling Martello's appointment.
 
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca's innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Social Media @AstraZeneca.
 
 
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.
 
 
 
Matthew Bowden
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
Date: 01 September 2026
 
 
By: /s/ Matthew Bowden
 
Name: Matthew Bowden
 
Title: Company Secretary