Celesio UK has appointed a new chief executive officer, who will join the company in September. 

Toby Anderson joins from health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group, the owner of Superdrug.

He worked for the Watson Group for 12 years, most recently as CEO Asia and Eastern Europe with accountability for 3,300 stores, including 1,500 pharmacies. His career has included various country management roles and eight years as marketing director for Asia and Eastern Europe.

Prior to joining A.S. Watson Group, Toby worked for J. Sainsbury. He graduated from Birmingham University with an honours degree in Commerce, and has studied executive education at Harvard Business School, London Business School, Ashridge and Cranfield.

Brian Tyler, chairman of the management board of McKesson Europe, said: “We are evolving into an agile business that can respond to changing customer behaviour, play a larger role in the health of our communities, take advantage of technological advancements and react to legislative changes.

“Toby is committed to navigating the current and future challenges that our company faces and helping us to truly transform healthcare in the UK.”   

Celesio UK, part of McKesson Europe, has 1,750 community pharmacies and 25,000 employees, comprising LloydsPharmacy, AAH Pharmaceuticals, LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare, John Bell & Croyden, Masta, Online Doctor and Betterlife.

Mr Anderson will take up the role on 1 September 2018.