Boots picks director for 30m international task

David Kneale, marketing and merchandising director of Boots the Chemist, is moving to become managing director of Boots’ International Retail Development Project.

He will be in charge of Boots’ overseas pilot stores in Thailand, Japan and the Netherlands, which are due to open later this year.

Up to 30m is being invested in five stores in Thailand, three in the Netherlands and several in Japan over the next 18 months.

Boots Healthcare International already sells its Nurofen, Strepsils and Optrex products through overseas retailers.

The worldwide director of marketing at Boots Healthcare International Peter Milburn was seconded for six months last year to investigate overseas retail opportunities.

Kneale, who has been with Boots for two years, is also chairman of retail buying in Hong Kong. His most recent project was the relaunch of No7, the cosmetics brand of Boots the Chemist.

Boots has yet to appoint a replacement for Kneale.