Walgreens Boots Alliance Appoints Richard Ashworth President of Walgreens

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) today announced the appointment of Richard Ashworth as President of Walgreens. Ashworth will be responsible for developing the strategies and plans for all Walgreens operations and will have full responsibility for the leadership, development and management of the business. He will report to Alex Gourlay, Co-Chief Operating Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Previously, Ashworth served as President of Operations, Walgreens, and has held a variety of leadership positions with increasing responsibility overseeing pharmacy, health care commercial, retail and other segments during his 28-year tenure with the company. He began his career as a service clerk with Walgreens in 1992, holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) as well as his master’s degree in business administration. Ashworth also serves as vice chairman on the board of directors of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and will assume the board’s chairmanship in April.

“Richard is a strong leader who grew up with the Walgreens brand and who has a great appreciation for its storied heritage. He truly understands our customers and is passionate about the role we play in their daily lives,” said Stefano Pessina, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “We are pleased to have Richard lead the Walgreens business, and lead the charge as we create the Walgreens of the future. His experience will be incredibly valuable as we continue to accelerate our ongoing transformation to best meet the needs of our customers, communities and team members.”

Gourlay, who has served as President of Walgreens since 2014, and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance, will focus on his broader responsibilities in his role as Co-Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for oversight of the Walgreens and Boots businesses, execution and transformation, and will continue to oversee global operations along with Co-Chief Operating Officer, Ornella Barra. Gourlay reports to Pessina.

Pessina continued, “I would also like to thank Alex for his leadership and dedication through a pivotal time, following the formation of Walgreens Boots Alliance, and most recently into a period of rapid change across pharmacy and retail. He will continue in a key, global role as a member of my leadership team, advancing our health and wellness strategy while working closely with Richard.”

Notes to Editors:

About Walgreens Boots Alliance

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy, touching millions of lives every day through dispensing and distributing medicines, its convenient retail locations, digital platforms and health and beauty products. The company has more than 100 years of trusted health care heritage and innovation in community pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesaling.

Including equity method investments, WBA has a presence in more than 25 countries, employs more than 440,000 people and has more than 18,750 stores.

WBA’s purpose is to help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives. The company is proud of its contributions to healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace. The company’s businesses have been recognized for their Corporate Social Responsibility. Walgreens was named to FORTUNE* magazine’s 2019 Companies that Change the World list and Boots UK was recognized as Responsible Business of the Year 2019-2020 by Business in the Community.

WBA is included in FORTUNE’s 2019 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies, ranked first in the food and drugstore category. This is the 26th consecutive year that WBA or its predecessor company, Walgreen Co., has been named to the list.

More company information is available at www.walgreensbootsalliance.com.

*© 2019, Fortune Media IP Limited. Used under license.

(WBA-GEN)