Vasudevan Lakshmanan believes HR is indispensable for business. “I believe that HR is at the heart of an organisation's success. By understanding and nurturing our people, we can create a culture of innovation, performance, and growth,” says Vasudevan. As a seasoned HR professional currently serving as the Senior HR Business Partner for Vaccines at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals India Ltd (GSK), Vasudeva has a deep-rooted belief in the power of people and culture.

Understanding the role of HR

Vasudevan has carved a successful career in HR, driven by his innate empathy and a strong bias for action. His journey into HR was influenced by his diverse upbringing and a natural flair for language, which instilled in him the ability to connect and influence people from various backgrounds. He is passionate about leveraging his skills to create inclusive workplaces where employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the organisation's success.

Vasudevan’s vision for HR in 2025 is centred around strategic partnership with the business to drive transformation, ensuring the organisation is equipped with the right talent and structure to achieve its goals. He has played a pivotal role in shaping HR capabilities at GSK, particularly within the vaccines business.

Leading change at GSK

As an HR partner to both a new business vertical and a legacy business, Vasudevan has demonstrated his ability to adapt to changing business landscapes. His work has driven culture transformation in the pediatric vaccine business, which has led to significant productivity and employee engagement improvements. Furthermore, he has successfully built and onboarded a large sales force for the newly established adult vaccines business, contributing to the company’s expansion in this critical area.

“Our focus on building a high-performance culture, coupled with our talent development initiatives, has been instrumental in driving business growth,” Vasudevan explains. Recognising the challenge of retaining top talent in a rapidly evolving business environment, Vasudevan spearheads a transformative initiative to revamp the sales representative ecosystem. By focusing on understanding future workforce needs and designing strategies to equip employees with the necessary skills, he aims to strengthen GSK’s position in the market and positively impact millions of lives.

Experience with Are You In The List 2024 awards

Vasudevan’s leadership has been further refined through his participation in the People Matters Are You In The List 2024, Powered by Aon. The assessment helped him identify his strengths in partnership building and business acumen while highlighting areas for development. This experience has empowered him to lead more confidently and effectively, driving innovation and fostering a high-performance culture within his organisation.

“Participating in the awards validated my work and provided a platform to learn from other HR leaders. It has been a transformative experience,” says Vasudevan. With a deep understanding of the evolving people and work landscape, Vasudevan is committed to creating a future-ready workforce at GSK India. His focus on employee well-being, skills development, and diversity and inclusion initiatives demonstrates his holistic approach to HR leadership. As a strategic partner, he is poised to drive organisational success by aligning people strategies with business objectives.

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