LONDON (Reuters) - British education publisher Pearson (>> Pearson plc) named Sidney Taurel as its new chairman on Monday, appointing the former pharmaceutical boss to lead its board at a time when it is facing questions over its strategy.

Taurel, the former chief executive and chairman of U.S. pharma giant Eli Lilly (>> Eli Lilly and Co), will take up the role on Jan. 1, replacing Glen Moreno after more than a decade of service.

Pearson has in the last two years issued a string of profit warnings, the most recent of which was last week, as it has restructured to focus on digital services and emerging markets in education. The company sold the Financial Times newspaper in July.

Moreno said Taurel's experience was well-suited to Pearson's needs.

"We are delighted to have in Sidney a new chair with strong experience of global business and markets, used to leading in a complex regulatory environment," he said in a statement.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, editing by William Hardy)

Stocks treated in this article : Eli Lilly and Co, Pearson plc