The UK’s Boots chain has a new managing director with owner Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) on Thursday saying Anthony Hemmerdinger takes over as MD of Boots UK and Ireland, effective 4 November. 

The news follows the announcement in July that Seb James — who’s overseen an impressive recovery at the business — would be stepping down after after six years to pursue a new role in the healthcare sector.

The company has spent recent months looking at both external and internal candidates and it decided on the latter with Hemmerdinger currently Retail & Operations Director at Boots UK, a role he’s held since September 2022. 

He leads the team operating roughly 1,900 stores and distribution centres and “has been a principal member of the leadership team under which the business has undergone a successful transformation, growing into the UK’s leading health and beauty destination. Anthony has spearheaded Boots’ significant beauty re-fit and brand expansion programme across the company’s stores and has been instrumental in the delivery of its enhanced healthcare and beauty services in-store”.

Beyond Boots, he has 30 years+ experience in the UK retail sector and was COO at Asda for six years before this arrival at Boots. He’s also worked at Sainsbury’s and was with M&S for 17 years. His very first Saturday job decades ago was at Boots.

Ornella Barra, EVP, COO, International at WBA, said: “Anthony is a great leader with extensive retail experience. His deep understanding of our business, passion for brilliant customer service and strong relationships will ensure a seamless leadership transition and enable us to build on our transformation journey apace.      

“Since he joined the Boots team in 2022, Anthony has successfully guided our retail and operations team through our change journey, which has delivered consistent growth across all our categories. I am confident that he, together with our talented leadership team, will ensure that Boots maintains its very positive trajectory.

“I would also like to once again thank Seb for his leadership over the last six years. On behalf of the whole team, we wish him all the best in his next role.”