Sebastian James will join the multiple “in the summer”, and will officially take up his role as president and managing director of Boots on September 1, parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance said in a statement last Friday (January 19).

Currently group chief executive of Dixons Carphone – having been chief executive of Dixons Retail from 2012-14 – Mr James has also worked for Synergy Insurance Services, Ink Publishing and Mothercare, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“Deep retail expertise”

Commenting on Mr James's appointment, Walgreens Boots Alliance co-chief operating officer Alex Gourlay said: “We are delighted that Sebastian will join our company at an equally exciting and challenging time for the retail environment in the UK, and for the future development of Boots, a brand synonymous with pharmacy and care.”

His “deep retail expertise will drive significant progress and innovation at Boots”, Mr Gourlay added.

Mr James said he is “very excited…to be offered the privilege of leading Boots, surely one of the UK’s most iconic, venerable and trusted brands”.

“At a time of unprecedented change in both the retail and healthcare markets, to build on the fantastic work that the team have done over the last few years, and to be a part of the next chapter for this great company is an extraordinary opportunity,” he added.

Mr James will replace Elizabeth Fagan, Boots' senior vice president and managing director since June 2016, who will take on the newly-created role of non-executive chairman at the multiple in September.