The Boots Group chief executive Ornella Barra is retiring from her role as the head of Boots UK and Ireland to take on a “wider range of responsibilities”.
Barra will retire as chief executive officer effective February 9, but will replace Stefano Pessina as chairperson of the board of directors. Pessina will continue as a director, while Barra will oversee the company’s ESG agenda.
She has led the group of businesses since 2016, when she took on the role of co-chief operating officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA).
She then became chief executive of The Boots Group in August 2025 after WBA was acquired by Sycamore Partners and The Boots Group became standalone. Barra remains a shareholder.
Her retirement means Boots UK, Ireland and Opticians senior vice president and managing director Anthony Hemmerdinger will assume a wider range of responsibilities, such as overseeing No7 and group-level functions.
Barra said: “For some time now, I have been considering transitioning to a less operational role. I concluded that this is the perfect moment and the right choice for me to best serve the company moving forward.
“The Boots Group is in great shape, both financially and operationally, with Boots UK having grown market share for 19 consecutive quarters, and has strong leadership teams in place across all of its businesses.”
“In partnership with Sycamore, I am confident that Boots, No7 Beauty Company, and all of the businesses across the Boots Group will continue to flourish and unlock their full potential.”
Pessina added: “Ornella has been a defining leader for this business, and I thank her for her dedication and impact over many years. Our family remains fully committed to the Boots Group, and we have great confidence in Anthony and the management teams as the company continues to move forward.”
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