LloydsPharmacy owner Celesio's operations director exits as digital boss sought

Operations boss Steve Anderson has quit after 30 years with the group, where he started at its wholesale division AAH Pharmaceuticals.     

Anderson, who joined Celesio UK’s board of directors in 2012, will leave at the end of this month and recruitment for a replacement is underway. 

“Steve feels that this is the right time to move on to new challenges and is exploring his options,” a spokeswoman told Retail Week.

Celesio UK, which is currently the subject of a competition probe over its acquisition of Sainsbury’s pharmacy business, also plans to appoint its first digital director to “take full advantage of the opportunities of engagement through digital”. 

The digital director will report into sales and marketing board director Nigel Swift.

Celesio said it is facing the challenge of “accelerated” Government funding cuts. In December, the Government revealed plans to cut 6% from community pharmacy funding from October, equating to around £170m.

“This means we need to adapt our strategy more quickly in order to keep the business healthy,” the spokeswoman said. Changing the way its board works, it said, is a “first step” in this process. 

The group is also recruiting for a healthcare speciality director. 

Last September it emerged that Celesio is looking to acquire more pharmacies in NHS hospitals as part of its growth plans.