GE HealthCare has today announced that Yihao Zhang, president and chief executive officer (CEO), China, will retire from the company effective July 1, 2025. Will Song, past chairman of Johnson & Johnson China and global senior vice president of Johnson & Johnson Medical China, has been named GE HealthCare’s new president and CEO, China, and will join the company on April 1, 2025, ahead of leading the region starting July 1 following Yihao’s departure.
A company press release states that Yihao’s planned retirement allowed GE HealthCare to purposefully identify and prepare a qualified successor in Will, an exceptional leader with a strong track-record and the right skillsets to help deliver the company’s local strategy.
The press release continues, outlining that, since joining GE HealthCare in 2019, Yihao has been responsible for GE HealthCare’s strategic development and operations in China, driving the company’s long-term growth in the market. He has redefined the company’s localisation, innovation and partnership strategy in China, establishing a clear blueprint for long-term growth in the region. His efforts in developing and promoting industry-leading localisation have been critical in transforming the industry and helping the company navigate in the highly evolving, policy-driven and competitive market. He also doubled innovation investment within five years and expanded the company’s manufacturing footprint in Beijing, Wuxi, Tianjin and Shanghai and built two new manufacturing sites in Chengdu and Shenzhen.
“Yihao has proven himself to be a humble, energetic, people-focused leader who embraced our company culture, strategy and purpose. He has made an indelible mark on our colleagues and the industry,” said Peter Arduini, president and CEO, GE HealthCare. “I want to personally thank Yihao for his leadership and contributions through the years, and for positioning GE HealthCare as a leading innovator in China. I wish him a healthy and happy retirement. Looking ahead, I am confident that Will’s stellar reputation and in-depth knowledge of the China market, along with his robust relationships with key stakeholders and deep understanding of our customer base, will help enhance our position in China and move the region forward to effectively deliver on the future of healthcare.”
