Boots: Retailer announces appointment of Anthony Hemmerdinger as new managing director - who is he?

Hemmerdinger, who has been overseeing the company’s retail and operations, will officially step into his new role in November 2024. His promotion comes at a time of uncertainty for the company, which has been navigating potential changes in ownership.

Hemmerdinger is no stranger to Boots. His association with the company began as a teenager when he worked a Saturday job. Fast forward to September 2022, and he rejoined the business as retail director, managing over 1,900 stores across the UK and Ireland.

His career spans several leadership roles, including senior positions at Asda, Sainsbury’s, Greene King, and Carphone Warehouse. This extensive experience in the retail sector has equipped him to lead Boots through what could be a transformative period.

Hemmerdinger takes over at a time when Boots' ownership is under speculation. In May 2024, Bloomberg reported that Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), Boots' US-based parent company, was exploring potential buyers for a possible £7 billion sale of the UK pharmacy chain.

Additionally, in recent years, there have been discussions around spinning off Boots as an independent entity via an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange. Such a move would be significant for Britain's financial markets, boosting investor confidence in one of the UK's most recognisable high street brands.

Sebastian James, the outgoing chief, has taken on the role of chief executive at Veonet, a healthcare firm backed by private equity. Veonet is one of Europe’s largest chains of ophthalmology clinics, including the British brand SpaMedica, which provides cataract surgeries for the NHS.

James, the son of the fifth Baron Northbourne, also made waves in the political sphere when he endorsed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer ahead of the general election. This endorsement drew attention because of James' past connections to the Conservative Party, having been part of the elite Bullingdon Club at Oxford University alongside former Conservative prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson.

Ornella Barra, chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s international business, praised Hemmerdinger’s leadership, saying that his appointment will ensure a “seamless leadership transition and enable us to build on our transformation journey apace.”

Since joining Boots in 2022, Hemmerdinger has led the retail and operations team through significant changes, delivering "consistent growth across all our categories,” according to Barra. Hemmerdinger himself is optimistic about the future, highlighting Boots’ "unique position at the heart of the UK’s health and beauty sector."