Murdoch to step down as GSK director James Murdoch, the embattled chairman of BSkyB and deputy chief operating officer of his father Rupert's News Corp, is to step down as a non-executive director of GlaxoSmithKline. The UK pharmaceutical group said he would not stand for re-election following the annual general meeting this year. The action follows intense speculation in recent months about Mr Murdoch's future on other company boards as he has come under growing scrutiny about what he knew and when of the News of the World phone hacking scandal. Sir Andrew Whitty, GSK's chief executive, was personally keen to bring Mr Murdoch on to the board in 2009, as representing a younger generation of business leaders. However, as he has moved to settle a series of outstanding legal actions and improve the pharmaceutical company's ethical reputation, he has faced questions in recent months about Mr Murdoch's presence. Sir Christopher Gent, GSK's chairman, said: "James has taken this decision to focus on his current duties as non-executive chairman of BSkyB, and following his decision to relocate to the United States, as chairman and chief executive, international, of News Corporation. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank James for the very strong contribution he has made since he was appointed in 2009 and wish him well for the future. Mr Murdoch is also a non-executive director of Sotheby's, the auction house. Shares in GSK were unchanged on Friday morning at £14.41.