8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) – January 3, 2011

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania	1-8036	23-1210010
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
101 Gordon Drive, PO Box 645, Lionville, PA		19341-0645
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 610-594-2900

Not Applicable

(Former name or address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))  

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On January 3, 2011, Steven A. Ellers resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer and our Board of Directors appointed Jeffrey C. Hunt as President, Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems.  In his new role, Mr. Hunt will succeed Mr. Ellers as head of our Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems business.  Mr. Ellers, who intends to retire during the first half of 2011, will provide transitional support to Mr. Hunt and other senior management.

Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 3, 2011, our Board also appointed Warwick Bedwell as President, Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems Asia-Pacific Region, succeeding Ron Van Dijk, who has concluded his assignment in Asia.  Mr. Bedwell will report to Mr. Hunt.

We issued a press release describing these management changes on January 5, 2011, which is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1

The information in this Form 8-K under Item 7.01 and in Exhibit 99.1 is not considered “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (Exchange Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will it be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific referencing in such filing.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)	Exhibits
	Exhibit 99.1	West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Press Release, dated January 5, 2011.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.

/s/ John R. Gailey III

John R. Gailey III, Vice President, General

Counsel and Secretary

January 5, 2011

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Press Release, dated January 5, 2011.

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EX-99.1

Contacts: West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Michael A. Anderson Vice President and Treasurer (610) 594-3345 Investors and Financial Media: Westwicke Partners John Woolford/Stefan Loren (443) 213-0506/0507

West Names New President of Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems

- Fills Opening Created by Planned Retirement -

LIONVILLE, PA, January 5, 2011 – West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) has appointed Jeffrey C. Hunt President of the Company’s Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems business, previously headed by Steven A. Ellers, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, who is planning to retire.  Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems is a global business and is the Company’s largest, generating annual sales revenue of nearly $800 million.

Mr. Hunt, 52, joined West in July 2010 as Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development.  He has over 23 years of experience in medical device and related businesses.  Prior to joining West, he served as President of the $1.4 billion Patient Care and Safety Products Global Business Unit of Covidien, Mansfield, Mass.  Prior to that, he was Vice President and General Manager of the SharpSafety Division of Tyco Healthcare/Kendall.

“Jeff joined West with a proven record of developing and implementing successful strategic initiatives in the med-device business units that he has managed,” said Donald E. Morel, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Since joining us, he has been working with the senior management team on our long-term business strategy and M&A efforts, and through those processes, developed key management relationships and acquired a deeper understanding of our operations. He is very well suited and prepared to lead Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems.”

Mr. Hunt replaces Steven A. Ellers, 60, who resigned his position as President and Chief Operating Officer in anticipation of his retirement during the first half 2011. He will provide further transitional support to Mr. Hunt and senior management in the interim.  Mr. Ellers joined West in 1983 as Manager of International Finance and held senior management positions in operations, sales and finance prior to his appointment to his current position in 2005.  Commenting on Mr. Ellers’ retirement, Dr. Morel said, “Throughout his career with West, Steve has held critical leadership positions and has played a significant role in the Company’s growth. Steve served West around the world, including assignments in South America and Singapore and three years as Chief Financial Officer.  We are grate ful to Steve for his dedication and service to West, and for his recent efforts to insure an orderly succession.  We wish him the very best.”

Separately, Warwick Bedwell has been appointed President of the Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems’ Asia-Pacific region, succeeding Ronald Van Dijk, who has concluded his assignment in Asia. Mr. Bedwell will report to Mr. Hunt.  Prior to joining West, Mr. Bedwell served as President and General Manager of Roche (Philippines) Inc. and in managerial positions for Roche and Schering-Plough in Australia and, most recently, Vice President and Commercial Director – Bone and Rheumatology for Roche Products (UK) limited.

About West

West is a global manufacturer of components and systems for injectable drug delivery, including stoppers and seals for vials, and closures and disposable components used in syringe, IV and blood collection systems. The Company also provides products with application to the personal care, food and beverage markets. Headquartered in Lionville, Pennsylvania, West supports its partners and customers from 50 locations throughout North America, South America, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit West at www.westpharma.com.