Bob began his career in the pharmaceutical industry as a professional sales representative and rose through a series of roles with increasing responsibility to ultimately become CEO/Chairman of GlaxoWellcome. He co-led the merger and integration that formed GlaxoSmithKline, the world's second largest pharmaceutical company. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, he was asked by the Board to serve as Vice Chairman Pharmaceuticals, GSK, which he did until January 1, 2010, at which time he became Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, GlaxoSmithKline plc.

He serves as Lead Director, VALEANT Pharmaceuticals International. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Allergan Inc., Cree, Inc., Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Lowe's Companies, Inc. and PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Bob was asked by former US President George H.W. Bush to form and chair the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. He is a member of numerous other civic and professional organizations. In January 2004, Bob was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award for International Service. On July 27, 2006, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Advisory Board.

Bob is a member of the Boards for the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, Project HOPE, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, President's CEO Roundtable on Cancer, and Chairman, GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.

Bob graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BS degree in Business Administration.