Health and beauty retailer Holland & Barrett (H&B) has appointed a new UK CEO as it makes changes to its operating model.
Anthony Houghton, formerly the retailer’s COO, has been promoted to CEO of H&B’s new UK and Ireland division, part of its three newly created divisions to streamline the business.
Meanwhile, Alex Dower, the company’s former group CCO, will lead the company’s global strategy as international CEO.
The previous head of business and science division, Tamara Rajah, has been named CEO of wellness solutions and Chief Transformation Officer.
H&B said it hopes the new divisions will simplify the group structure, accelerate its growth and improve customer experience, according to the retailer’s executive chair Alex Gourlay.
“The new divisions will drive performance through empowerment at a more local level, simplify the group structure and further help us create truly integrated customer experiences with a completely omnichannel mindset,” said Gourlay.
“Sharpening our operating model in this way will help us go faster, effectively compete and accelerate growth, ultimately improving our customers’ experiences – the driver of all we do.”
The restructuring comes as H&B looks to expand beyond retail, following its acquisition of fitness start-up Avie to offer personalised wellness services for its customers.
The ongoing growth plan has also seen the retailer onboard former Starbucks exec Nick Allen as CFO last year.