Mark Bather joined the multiple at the start of the year as retail operations director, following just under three years at TUI, two years as head of stores at mobile company Telefónica and more than 25 years as store director at Tesco, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Mr Bather has replaced former managing director Kenny Black, who C+D exclusively revealed yesterday had left the organisation to pursue new career opportunities.

Steve Anderson, managing director of the Phoenix UK group, which owns Rowlands, said Mr Bather had already “made a considerable impact” in his role as retail operations director. “He brings a wealth of retail experience…which will help us grow our business profitably in the years ahead,” Mr Anderson added.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Bather said: “We all know that community pharmacy faces extremely tough trading conditions, but I believe we are building a great team and developing a strategy to deliver the healthcare services which our patients and the NHS want and need.

“I’m looking forward to working with the team and the broader Phoenix board and I am excited to begin shaping the Rowlands estate,” he added.