Boots international retail boss takes UK helm in restructure
Boots is again restructuring its business, putting international retail marketing chief Colin Webb in charge of retail marketing in the UK.
The rejig follows last year’s promotion of David Kneale to chief operating officer for Boots Retail – part of another restructure.
It also comes just two weeks after Barry Clare was ousted from his group board-level position as strategy and development director. Former Masterfoods and Procter & Gamble marketer Ann Francke has been appointed to take over his responsibilities, but not at board level.
Head of consumer marketing Amanda Jenkins, who was responsible for direct marketing, the Boots Advantage card and the Boots magazine, has left the company following the latest restructure.
Webb, who was director of marketing for Boots Retail International, will now report to Kneale, along with three commercial directors, each heading a separate business unit. Steve Hill, former director of beauty will look after health; Richard Holmes, former director of offer development, takes over beauty; and Ian Philby, deputy trading director for Boots, will be responsible for gifts and other items.
Boots has been coming under pressure from the City and supermarket rivals, and it has a number of tough decisions to make over its future strategy. It is currently considering a recommendation from management consultants to sell off Boots Healthcare International, which makes over-the-counter products such as Strepsils and Clearasil. The group is also searching for a chief executive to eventually replace Steve Russell.
