Boots UK parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced the appointment of Tim Wentworth as its new chief executive from October 23. 

Mr Wentworth replaces Rosalind Brewer, who announced on September 1 that she was stepping down after just over two years in the role. He joins from Evernorth, a health services organisation headquartered in Connecticut, and previously held roles in “specialty pharmacy” company Accredo and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.

The company commented that he is joining at time when it is “right-sizing” its business, including axing hundreds of pharmacies in Britain and America, and seeking to create “greater value for employees, patients, customers and shareholders”.

It also follows an unsuccessful attempt last year by Walgreens executives to offload Boots, with speculation persisting in business titles that a second sale attempt could be on the cards.

Mr Wentworth said: “I am honoured and excited for the incredible opportunity to lead the next phase of WBA’s evolution, working with the board and WBA leadership to deliver sustainable value and results.

“WBA has a differentiated model with the power to build on the company’s pharmacy strength and trusted brand to evolve healthcare delivery. I believe in WBA’s vision to be the leading partner in reimagining local healthcare and wellbeing for all.

“I’ve spent my career working to improve the health of the patients we’ve served. I believe WBA is well positioned to deliver more personalised, coordinated care and achieve better outcomes at a lower cost.

“I fully recognise the challenges that health plans, healthcare providers, pharmacies and retailers are confronting today and am confident that WBA and its customer and patient-focused teams can seize the opportunities of a dynamic marketplace and be the partner of choice.” 

WBA executive chairman Stefano Pessina said: “He is an accomplished and respected leader with profound expertise in the payer and pharmacy space as well as supply chain, IT and Human Resources. We are confident he is the right person to lead WBA’s next phase of growth into a customer-centric healthcare company.”