Novartis appoints Anne Harris as new Country President

Novartis Australia & New Zealand has announced the appointment of ex-Pfizer Managing Director Anne Harris as Country President of Australia & New Zealand, effective 3 August 2026.

Harris’ two decade tenure at Pfizer coincided with one of the most significant periods in healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a long-serving pharmaceutical executive whose career has combined commercial leadership, vaccine strategy, industry policy engagement and medicines access advocacy.

Jude Love, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Novartis, said “Anne is a highly respected healthcare leader with deep industry experience and a strong track record of building high-performing teams and partnerships across the healthcare sector. Her commitment to patients, collaborative leadership style and understanding of the Australia and New Zealand healthcare environment make her exceptionally well placed to lead our ANZ organisation into its next chapter.”

“I am excited to join Novartis, with its impressive record of transformational science and discovery,” said Harris. “I look forward to working with the Novartis team and stakeholders to help patients in Australia and New Zealand benefit from access to its cutting-edge medicines.”

Love also thanked Marco Muscardo, who has served as ad-interim Country President ANZ, in addition to his role as New Zealand General Manager.

“I would like to thank Marco for his outstanding leadership. He has provided stability, clarity and unwavering support for our people and stakeholders and we are deeply grateful for his contribution,” she stated.

Harris takes the reins from Ali Rossiter and will be based in Sydney to lead the organisation as it continues to focus on delivering innovative medicines to patients who need them. With her track record on Medicines Australia board, Harris could become the first Novartis leader in the past decade to secure a seat at the table. Muscardo will return to focus on his role as General Manager of Novartis New Zealand.

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