Lloydspharmacy's parent company Celesio chief executive Markus Pinger has been ousted from the management board over a difference of opinion.

Celesio could not give the full reasons behind the dismissal of Mr Pinger, who has been chief executive and member of the management board since August 2011, but said it was down to conflicting views.

Under Mr Pinger's leadership, Celesio revealed plans to create a "more consistent brand and sales format" across its European pharmacies and unveiled independent pharmacy network. The company also cut its global staff members by 1,000.

Celesio chief financial officer Marion Helmes has become provisional spokesperson for Celesio's management board while it decides on a new chief executive.

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	"[Dr] Helmes has contributed decisively to the chosen path of the realignment of the group," said Celesio supervisory board chairman Stephan Gemkow. "The supervisory board is looking forward to working together with Ms Helmes in her extended responsibilities."

In March, Lloydspharmacy and AAH UK managing director Mark James was replaced by Cormac Tobin, the managing director of the company's Irish division. Celesio did not reveal the reasons for Mr James' departure.

Celesio operates across 16 countries and employs 39,000 people, with a total of 2,200 pharmacies and 140 wholesale branches.