Former Alliance Boots director of corporate development for EMEA Jonathan Farrington has been appointed group chief executive of Dr Max, a value-led pharmacy retailer which operates across central and eastern Europe.

Farrington will devise a long-term strategy for the retailer, drawing on his experience at pharmacy wholesaler and health and beauty retailer Alliance Boots and Lloydspharmacy parent company Celesio.

Investment director of Penta Investments Václav Jirků highlighted Farrington’s “broad international background and expertise in pharmacies” and said:” I hope he will continue the successful development of Dr. Max and his presence will give it a long-term strategic dimension.”

Farrington was director of corporate development EMEA for Alliance Boots between 2007 to 2010 and prior to this held senior positions in Boots UK and Boots Retail International including director of finance, director of strategy and regional director, EMEA.