Boots Group CEO to retire from role and become chairperson
The Boots Group has announced that Ornella Barra will retire as the company’s chief executive and replace Stefano Pessina as chairperson of its board of directors.
Barra, 72, has led the group since 2016 when she was appointed co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance. She became chief executive in August 2025 following the completion of WBA’s acquisition and the subsequent separation of The Boots Group under new owner Sycamore Partners, alongside Stefano Pessina and his family.
Subscribe to TRBShe remains a shareholder and serves on the boards of the standalone companies formerly part of WBA. While Pessina will continue as a director, Barra will retain oversight of the company’s ESG agenda as chair of The Boots Group ESG Committee.
Following Barra’s retirement on 9 February, Anthony Hemmerdinger, SVP and managing director, who is currently responsible for Boots UK, Ireland and Opticians, will assume a wider range of responsibilities, including oversight over No7 Beauty Company and the assumption of all group-level functions. He will report to the board of directors.
Barra said: “For some time now, I have been considering transitioning to a less operational role. I concluded that this is the perfect moment and the right choice for me to best serve the company moving forward.
“The Boots Group is in great shape, both financially and operationally, with Boots UK having grown market share for 19 consecutive quarters, and has strong leadership teams in place across all of its businesses.”
She added: “In partnership with Sycamore, I am confident that Boots, No7 Beauty Company, and all of the businesses across The Boots Group will continue to flourish and unlock their full potential.”
Pessina said: “Ornella has been a defining leader for this business, and I thank her for her dedication and impact over many years. Our family remains fully committed to The Boots Group, and we have great confidence in Anthony and the management teams as the Company continues to move forward.”
In line with the company’s post-separation strategy from WBA, each business within The Boots Group, including Boots, Alliance Healthcare Germany, and Farmacias Benavides, will continue to operate autonomously, reporting to The Boots Group board, and executing their long-term strategies.
