Walgreens Boots Alliance makes new executive appointments

Business Wire

DEERFIELD - Walgreens Boots Alliance announced a number of changes to its senior management as the company transitions into a global drug store network following its merger in 2014.

Alex Gourlay, executive vice president of Walgreens Boots Alliance and president of Walgreens, and Ornella Barra, executive vice president of Walgreens Boots Alliance and president and chief executive of Global Wholesale and International Retail, have been appointed to the role of co-chief operating officers. Gourlay will oversee Walgreens and Boots, while Barra, in addition to her current responsibilities, will supervise Global Brands, Human Resources and other business services.

Ken Murphy, who becomes executive vice president of Walgreens Boots Alliance and chief commercial officer and president of Global Brands, and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, executive vice president and global chief human resources officer, will report to Barra.

Simon Roberts, executive vice president of Walgreens Boots Alliance and president of Boots, has decided at this time to pursue new opportunities and will leave the company in July 2016. Elizabeth Fagan, currently senior vice president and MD International Retail, is appointed as senior vice president and managing director of Boots.

"As we continue to work together to find simpler and more effective ways to manage our company, I believe this is the right structure at the right time," said Jim Skinner, Walgreens Boots Alliance executive chairman. "The changes announced today will allow us to further enhance operating performance, while developing our company for the longer term. I want to congratulate Ornella and Alex on their extended responsibilities. We are very fortunate to have these two world-class corporate executives working together in a senior management team that is very well positioned to guide our businesses across the world through the changing landscape of health care."

Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Pessina said Gourlay and Barra will be instrumental in driving company operations in the next phase of its evolution.

"With the two co-chief operating officers overseeing the day-to-day activities of the company and the continued support of George Fairweather (Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer), Marco Pagni (Executive Vice President, Global Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel) and the other leaders, I will be able to further focus on driving the growth strategy and development of Walgreens Boots Alliance," Pessina said.

added: "I would like to warmly thank Simon for his outstanding contribution and for the key role he played at Boots during the past 13 years of his career. We wish him the very best for the future. I also want to congratulate Elizabeth on her new position, where I am sure she will make a strong contribution."