After 17 years in the role, Mr Nuttall will leave Well Pharmacy to spend more time with his family and “transition into future non-executive director roles”, the multiple announced today (June 26).

He will be replaced by Seb Hobbs, who will join the business as “designate CEO” from July 22, working alongside Mr Nuttall, before taking over as CEO on September 30.

Mr Nuttall has led the business – under both its Co-operative Pharmacy and Well guises – since 2002 and has worked in pharmacy for more than 32 years, so “is a very familiar and friendly face across the industry and will be dearly missed”, Well said.

Most significantly, Mr Nuttall oversaw the rebranding of the Co-operative Pharmacy as Well, after it was bought by wholesaler Bestway in 2014.

More recently, Well Pharmacy has digitally transformed the business, including launching an online prescription service, a prescription delivery app and hub-and-spoke dispensing.

New CEO

Mr Hobbs is currently president and chief customer officer of Signet Jewellers, the world’s largest diamond retailer. He has also held senior retail roles with Blacks Leisure, WHSmith and Storehouse, Well explained.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Hobbs said he is looking forward to “helping Well grow in digital and through new ventures”, as well as its “core retail business”.