Boots has appointed Steve Banks as its superintendent pharmacist, following Paul Bennett's departure from the company after five years in the role.

Mr Banks took over as superintendent at the beginning of this year, Boots announced on Tuesday (January 23), moving on from his post as director of capability at the health and beauty giant, in which he was responsible for recruitment, learning and development.

Having worked at Boots for 28 years since qualifying as a pharmacist, Mr Banks will now be responsible for providing professional leadership to all of the company's pharmacists and their teams.

Mr Banks said it was a great honour to assume the role at a crucial point in community pharmacy's development.

Steve Banks said it was a great honour to become Boots superintendent at such a crucial point in pharmacy's development	More on Boots Boots offers free diabetes risk assessments PDA attacks Boots for locum contract changes Alliance Boots Nottingham site to get £25m       development
	"There is no doubt that we are in a time of great change in our profession and the opportunities and challenges have never been greater," he said. "With Boots UK's full range of healthcare and pharmacy services allied to providing expert care across all channels, we have the chance to inspire, support and enable people to take control of their health."

Boots UK director of pharmacy Peter Bainbridge said he was delighted with the appointment of Mr Banks. "His passion for pharmacy and patient care alongside his great leadership will enable him to be a great superintendent pharmacist as we develop our pharmacy operations in the future," he said.

Mr Bainbridge also pledged to help Mr Banks build upon the "excellent work" Mr Bennett had done during his five years as superintendent.

Under Mr Bennett's professional leadership, Boots implemented a number of initiatives in its pharmacies, from a drive-through pharmacy to a focus on condition-led care.

Boots was unable to confirm any details of Mr Bennet's new role.

Steve Banks' rise through the Boots ranks

2005-06 Regional director and member of operating board
 Leading one of four Boots regions, Mr Banks was responsible for seven area managers covering 330 pharmacies

2006-07 Director of profit protection
 A cross-company position in which Mr Banks says he significantly reduced stock losses

2007-10 Director of IT
 Leading a team of 250 Boots IT employees as well as external suppliers, Mr Banks' achievements in this position included reducing IT spend by a third and integrating two teams

2010 Director of transformation 
In this briefly held position, Mr Banks led a strategic review to increase profitability across 2,500 Boots stores

2010-12 Director of capability
 With responsibility across 70,000 employees, Mr Banks led Boots' reward, policy and people strategy, as well as the creation of a ‘centre of excellence' for recruitment, learning and development

2013- Superintendent pharmacist
 Mr Banks says it is "a great honour" to assume professional leadership of all Boots' UK pharmacists and teams