Exhibit 10.23 At the Annual General Meeting ofshareholders held on September 24, 2008, Shire made this service agreementavailable for review. Dated 2 July 2008 (1) SHIRE LIMITED - and - (2) MR GRAHAM HETHERINGTON SERVICE AGREEMENT

SHIRE LIMITED (registered number 99854) a company incorporated in and under the laws of Jersey and having its registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX (the "Company"); and

The Company may at its absolute discretion elect at any time to terminate the employment of the Executive with immediate effect by paying to the Executive (less deductions as appropriate) salary in lieu of notice and a sum (which shall be calculated by multiplying the Relevant Amount by the number of months' notice which the Executive was entitled to receive at the date of such termination) in compensation for the immediate loss by the Executive of his other benefits hereunder.

In the event that the Company terminates the employment of the Executive pursuant to Clause 1.3.1 at any time, the Relevant Amount shall be the aggregate of;

an amount, to be decided at the absolute discretion of the Remuneration Committee, which may be up to the target annual bonus under the Executive Annual Incentive Plan (EAIP) to which, had he served his notice, the Executive would have been entitled pursuant to Clause 4 based on 100% achievement of group and personal objectives for the bonus year in which his employment terminates (based on the Executive's salary at the date on which his employment terminates), divided by 12 (twelve); and

25% of the Executive's basic salary (taken at the date of termination of this Agreement) in lieu of Company contributions to the Executive's pension scheme pursuant to Clause 6 of this Agreement, and

On the termination of the Executive's employment under this Clause 1, the Executive's rights to receive shares or exercise rights in relation to (or calculated by reference to) shares under any relevant bonus or incentive scheme will be determined in accordance with the rules of the relevant scheme. 

faithfully and diligently perform such duties and exercise such powers consistent with them as the Board may from time to time properly assign to or confer upon him in such capacity or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company or any Associated Company;

perform and exercise the said duties and powers on behalf of any Associated Company and act as a director or other officer of any Associated Company;

do all in his power to protect, promote, develop and extend the business interests and reputation of the Group;

at all times and in all respects conform to and comply with the lawful and reasonable directions of the Board;

upon receiving reasonable notice promptly give to the Board (in writing if so requested) all such information, explanations and assistance as it may require in connection with the business and affairs of the Company and any Associated Company for which he is required to perform duties;

unless prevented by sickness, injury or other incapacity or as otherwise agreed by the Board devote the whole of his time, attention and abilities during his hours of work (which shall be normal business hours and such additional hours as may be necessary for the proper performance of his duties) to the business and affairs of the Company and any Associated Company for which he is required to perform duties (save that the Executive may, with the prior written consent of the Board, become a non-executive director of another company);

work at such place of business of the Company or any Associated Company as the Company may reasonably require for the proper performance and exercise of his duties and powers and the Executive may be required to travel on the business of the Company and any Associated Company for which he is required to perform duties; and

During the continuance of his employment the Executive shall devote his whole time and attention to his duties under this Agreement and shall not directly or indirectly carry on or be engaged, concerned or interested in any other business, trade or occupation otherwise than as a holder directly or through nominees (including for the purposes hereof through any trust whether established by the Executive or otherwise and whether discretionary or otherwise of which the Executive is a beneficiary) of not more than 3% in aggregate of any class of shares, debentures or other securities in issue from time to time of any company (or, if different, amounting to no more than 3% in terms of the economic value of all such shares and securities (whether by way of dividend or upon any return in capital) and/or voting or other rights attaching thereto in respect of any matters) which are for the time being quoted or dealt with on any recognised investment exchange (as defined by section 285(1)(a) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) provided that nothing in this Clause 3.1 shall prevent the Executive from continuing to hold his current portfolio of investments in securities.

During the continuance of his employment the Executive shall in relation to any dealings in securities comply with all laws affecting dealings in the securities of such companies and all regulations of any relevant stock exchanges on which such dealings take place.

shall not directly or indirectly procure, accept or obtain for his own benefit (or for the benefit of any other person) any payment, rebate, discount, commission, vouchers, gift, entertainment or other benefit from any third party in respect of any business transacted or proposed to be transacted (excluding air miles or similar vouchers from other such schemes) (whether or not by him) by or on behalf of the Company or any Associated Company ("Gratuities");

shall observe the terms of any policy issued by the Company in relation to Gratuities; and

shall immediately disclose and account to the Company for any Gratuities received by him (or by any other person on his behalf or at his instruction).

The Company shall pay to the Executive with effect from 1 July 2008 a basic salary (which shall accrue from day to day) at the rate of £400,000 per year inclusive of any directors' fees payable to the Executive under the articles of association of the Company or any Associated Company (and any such fees as the Executive shall receive he shall pay to the Company). Such basic salary shall be inclusive of an annual amount payable in respect of Board duties performed by the Executive in the Republic of Ireland ("the Irish Board Fee"), The Irish Board Fee shall be £65,000 or such greater amount as is payable to the senior non-executive director of the Company (other than the Chairman) in respect of his or her duties as a director of the Company. The salary shall be payable by equal monthly instalments in arrears on the last day of each calendar month and shall be subject to review by the Remuneration Committee not less than annually with effect from 1 January in each year.

Subject as stated below the Executive shall be entitled to receive a bonus in accordance with the rules and terms of the Company's EAIP scheme (or such other bonus scheme as the Company may Implement from time to time). The amount of any bonus shall be at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. The target annual bonus under the EAIP shall be a cash target of fifty-five per cent (55%) and a share target of fifteen per cent (15%) of the Executive's basic annual salary from time to time paid under Clause 4.1. The maximum annual bonus under the EAIP shall be a cash bonus of one hundred per cent (100%) and a maximum share bonus of fifty-five per cent (55%) of the Executive's basic annual salary under Clause 4.1. Any bonus payment shall be subject to deductions as appropriate. The Company reserves the right to change any bonus terms from year to year.

In the event that the Executive's employment hereunder terminates during any bonus year he shall be entitled to receive a proportion of the bonus he would have received had his employment not been terminated and the Remuneration Committee shall use its best endeavours but at its sole discretion to determine the estimation of such bonus. Such proportion shall be calculated as the fraction derived from dividing the period during which the Executive was employed hereunder during the relevant bonus year by the period of the bonus year.

If the Executive is at any time granted options or awards pursuant to a share incentive scheme of the Company, those options or awards shall be subject to the rules of that scheme as in force from time to time which rules shall not form part of the Executive's service agreement. In particular, if the Executive's employment should terminate for any reason (including as a result of a repudiatory breach of contract by the Company) he will not be entitled to any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit or prospective right or benefit under any such scheme which he may have enjoyed whether such compensation is claimed by way of damages for wrongful dismissal or other breach of contract or by way of compensation for loss of office or otherwise.

The Executive shall be entitled to a pension contribution in respect of his basic salary (but excluding the Irish Board Fee). The Company shall contribute to such pension scheme as the Executive shall specify an amount equal to such proportion of his basic salary (excluding the Irish Board Fee) as would give rise to a contribution equal to twenty-five per cent (25%) of the Executive's basic salary hereunder from time to time. Such contributions shall be made monthly at the date when salary is paid hereunder. Such contributions shall be in addition to the Executive's basic salary.

No contracting-out certificate is in force in respect of the employment of the Executive.

Subject to his complying with and satisfying any applicable requirements of the relevant insurers the Company shall during the continuance of his employment:

provide for the Executive and his partner or spouse and children under the age of 18 years membership of an appropriate private patient medical plan (to include cover for dental treatment) with such reputable medical expenses insurance scheme as the Company shall decide from time to time. The Executive shall be entitled to remain a member of such plan in accordance with and subject to its rules from time to time. The Executive shall also be allowed to participate in an annual Executive Physical program, subject to a maximum annual reimbursement of £1,500;

provide the Executive with life assurance cover which in the event of his death during the continuance of his employment may pay to his chosen dependants (subject only to the discretion of the trustees of the appropriate scheme) a lump sum equal to a minimum of 4 (four) times his then annual rate of salary. If such lump sum is more than the permitted maximum, such surplus will be made available (subject to the discretion of the trustees aforesaid) for the purchase of an annuity for the Executive's dependants subject as necessary to a medical examination. The Executive will co ­operate with the Company in any way reasonably necessary in order for the Company to comply with its obligations thereunder including, without prejudice to the generality hereof, by submitting himself for such medical examination as may be required of him in connection therewith from time to time;

provide for the Executive membership at the cost of the Company of any permanent health care scheme and prolonged disability scheme operated by the Group for the benefit of executives. The Executive shall be entitled to remain a member of such scheme in accordance with and subject to its rules from time to time; and

provide Directors' and Officers' insurance cover for the benefit of the Executive under the same policy as will be provided for the other directors such cover to continue to cover the Executive in respect of acts or omissions committed during his employment hereunder whether claims are made during or within the period of 7 (seven) years after the termination of the employment hereunder.

The Company shall provide the Executive with the sum of £12,000 per annum (payable in 12 (twelve) monthly instalments on the date the Executive's salary is paid less any deductions the Company is required to make by law) to enable the Executive to purchase, maintain, comprehensively insure and tax a car for his use during the continuance of his employment, together with reimbursement of all business and reasonable private petrol.

The Company shall during the continuance of his employment reimburse the Executive in accordance with the Company's travel and expenses policy as amended from time to time.

The Company shall, under its Executive Financial Services Reimbursement Programme, provide the Executive with the sum of £5,000 per annum (less any deductions the Company is required to make by law) towards the cost of legal expenses and financial planning services.

The Executive shall (in addition to the usual public and bank holidays) be entitled during the continuance of his employment to 25 (twenty-five) working days' paid holiday in each holiday year, or such greater number in accordance with the Company's policy from time to time to be taken at a time or times as shall be convenient to the Company.

The Executive shall be entitled to carry forward to the following year up to 5 days' untaken annual holiday entitlement in each holiday year. The carry forward of any additional holiday entitlement not taken by him for any reason from one holiday year to the next shall require the prior written consent of the Board (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

Upon the termination of his employment the Executive's entitlement to accrued holiday pay (which accrues at the rate of 2.09 days per month) shall be calculated on a pro rata basis in respect of each completed month of service in the holiday year in which his employment terminates and the appropriate amount shall be paid to the Executive in addition to payment in lieu for any holidays not taken in previous holiday years provided that if the Executive shall have taken more days holiday than his accrued entitlement the Company is hereby authorised to make an appropriate deduction from the Executive's final salary payment.

Subject to his complying with the Company's procedures relating to the notification and certification of periods of absence from work as from time to time in force the Executive shall continue to be paid his salary (inclusive of any statutory sick pay or social security benefits to which he may be entitled) during any periods of absence from work due to sickness, injury or other incapacity incapacitating the Executive from attending to his duties up to a maximum of 26 (twenty-six) weeks in aggregate in any period of 52 (fifty-two) consecutive weeks.

If the Executive shall have been absent from work due to sickness, injury or other incapacity for a continuous period of 26 (twenty-six) weeks or more then he shall receive such benefits (if any) as are available to him under the terms of the Company's permanent health insurance scheme or such greater sum (if any) as the Board may in its absolute discretion decide.

If any incapacity of the Executive shall be or appear to be caused by any alleged action or wrong of a third party and the Executive shall decide to claim damages in respect thereof, then the Executive shall use all reasonable endeavours to recover damages for loss of earnings over the period for which salary has been or will be paid to him by the Company under Clause 11.1, and shall account to the Company for any such damages recovered (in an amount not exceeding the actual salary paid or payable to him by the Company under Clause 11.1 in respect of the said period) less any costs borne by him in achieving such recovery.

The Executive shall keep the Company informed of the commencement, progress and outcome of any such claim.

For the purposes of this Clause 12 the term "IPRs" means any and all patents, trade and service marks, unregistered design rights, registered design rights, trade and business

names, copyrights (including copyright in software), database rights, topography rights and all other intellectual property rights (whether or not any of these is registered and including applications for registration of any such thing) and all rights or forms of protection of a similar nature or having equivalent or similar effect to any of these which may subsist anywhere in the world.

Executive. The maximum number of Monthly Payments shall be 12 unless notice under Clause 1 has been given before the Company makes any election under this Clause 15.4, and the Executive has worked part of that notice period, in which case the maximum number of Monthly Payments shall be reduced accordingly to reflect the remaining period of notice. The Monthly Payments shall commence on the date such notice is given to the Executive or such date thereafter as the Company shall determine and the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall cease on that day (the "Commencement Date").

Subject to adjustments as contemplated in Clause 15.4(iii) below each Monthly Payment shall be calculated by dividing the Executive's basic salary at the date notice is given by twelve and adding the Relevant Amount as defined in Clause 1.32. Each Monthly Payment shall then be paid on a monthly basis subject to such deductions as may be required by law and in accordance with Clause 15.4(vi) below.

The Company may instead of paying the part of the Relevant Amount relating to benefits as referred to in 15.4(ii) continue the provision of those benefits which the Executive would otherwise have been entitled to receive during the period of the Monthly Payment. If the Company decides to continue the provision of the benefits, the Monthly Payment shall be reduced accordingly.

On the termination of the Executive's employment under this Clause 15, the Executive's rights to receive shares or exercise rights in relation to (or calculated by reference to) shares under any relevant bonus or incentive scheme will be determined in accordance with the rules of the relevant scheme.

The Executive shall be under a duty, beginning on the Commencement Date, to use reasonable endeavours actively to seek a suitable alternative remunerated position (defined below) and shall also be required to keep the Company informed in relation to his search when reasonably requested.

If the Executive obtains an alternative remunerated position during the period for payment of the Monthly Payments then:

The Executive will not be entitled to receive any payment in addition to the Monthly Payments in respect of any holiday entitlement that would have accrued during the period for which the Monthly Payments are made, and will not accrue any entitlement to pension contributions or bonus during such period.

Any delay or forbearance by the Company in exercising any right of termination shall not constitute a waiver of It.

The Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company he will receive and have access to confidential information of the Company and its Associated Companies (including without limitation those matters specified in Clause 133 of this Agreement) and he will also receive and have access to detailed client/customer lists and information relating to the operations and business requirements of those clients/customers and accordingly he is willing to enter into the covenants described in this Clause 16 in order to provide the Company and its Associated Companies with what he considers to be reasonable protection for those interests.

"Restricted Business" means the Business of the Company and its Associated Companies at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment with which the Executive was involved to a material extent at any time during the period of 12 (twelve) months ending on the Restriction Date and for the purposes of this Clause the term "Business" shall mean the research, development, marketing, sale or supply of pharmaceuticals for administration to humans;

"Restricted Customer" means any firm, company or other person who, at any time during the period of 12 (twelve) months ending on the Restriction Date, was a customer of or in the habit of dealing with the Company or any Associated Company and with whom the Executive dealt to a material extent or for whom or which the Executive was responsible on behalf of the Company or any Associated Company during that period and in respect of such customer material damage to the Interests of the Company or any Associated Company could occur if such customer ceased or reduced its business with the Company or any Associated Company; 

"Restricted Employee" means any person who, at the Restriction Date was employed by the Company or any Associated Company at a senior level and who could materially damage the interests of the Company or any Associated Company if he became employed in any business concern in competition with the Restricted Business and with whom the Executive worked closely or about whom the Executive obtained material detailed information, in either case at any time during the period of 12 (twelve) months ending on the Restriction Date; and

"Restriction Date" means the date of termination of this Agreement.

The Executive will not, for a period of 12 (twelve) months after the Restriction Date, solicit or endeavour to entice away from the Company or any Associated Company the business or custom of a Restricted Customer with a view to providing or receiving goods or services to or from that Restricted Customer in competition with any Restricted Business.

The Executive will not, for a period of 12 (twelve). months after the Restriction Date, provide goods or services to or otherwise have any business dealings with any Restricted Customer in the course of any business concern which is in competition with any Restricted Business.

The Executive will not, for a period of 12 (twelve) months after the Restriction Date, in the course of any business concern which is in competition with any Restricted Business offer employment to or otherwise endeavour to entice away from the Company or any Associated Company any Restricted Employee.

The Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Board, for a period of 6 (six) months after the Restriction Date, be engaged in or concerned in any capacity in any business concern which is or might reasonably be expected to be in competition with any Restricted Business. This Clause shall not restrain the Executive from being engaged or concerned in any business concern in so far as the Executive's duties or work shall relate solely:

to geographical areas where the business concern is not in competition with the Restricted Business; or

to services or activities of a kind with which the Executive was not concerned to a material extent during the period of 12 (twelve) months ending on the Restriction Date.

The obligations imposed on the Executive by this Clause 16 extend to him acting not only on his own account but also on behalf of any other firm, company or other person and shall apply whether he acts directly or indirectly.

The Executive hereby agrees that he will at the request and expense of the Company enter into a direct agreement or undertaking with any Associated Company whereby he will accept restrictions and provisions corresponding to the restrictions and provisions in this Clause 16 (or such of them as may be appropriate in the circumstances) in relation to such activities and such area and for such a period not exceeding 12 (twelve) months as such Associated Company may reasonably require for the protection of its legitimate business interests.

It is agreed between the parties that whilst the restrictions set out in this Clause 16 are considered fair and reasonable for the protection of the Company's business and trade secrets, if it should be found that any of the restrictions be void as going beyond what is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances and if by deleting part of the wording or substituting a shorter period of time or different geographical limit or a more restricted range of activities for any of the period of time, geographical limits or ranges or activities set out in this Clause 16 it would not be void then there shall be substituted such next less extensive period and/or limit and/or activity or such deletions shall be made as shall render this Clause 16 valid and enforceable.

the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment (other than for cause in accordance with Clause 15 of this Agreement); or

the Executive's resignation where such resignation is as a consequence of a repudiatory breach of contract by the Company and amounts to a constructive dismissal,

within the period of 12 (twelve) months following the date of a Change of Control.