Home UK & Ireland Grocery News Health & Beauty

Holland & Barrett’s UK Head Promoted To Group CEO Role

Holland & Barrett (H&B) has announced the appointment of Anthony Houghton as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective from the beginning of the retailer’s new financial year in October.

Anthony Houghton
Anthony Houghton

Houghton has been with the health & wellness business since September 2018, first serving as Group Retail and Property Director, then as COO and most recently as its CEO for the UK & Ireland.

The executive will join H&B’s board while Chairman Alex Gourlay will remain in his position.

The company noted that the appointment represented the business’s focus on “stability and strong succession planning with a continued focus on the delivery of the company’s transformation strategy.”

Houghton commented: “I am delighted to have been offered the chance to take on the role of Group CEO at Holland & Barrett. It is with immense pride that I get the opportunity to lead a business with such a clear purpose: to support the health and wellness of our customers while fostering an environment where our colleagues and communities can flourish.

“What I’ve seen achieved by this business over the past seven years is a real testament to the incredible dedication and talent of our people. Their commitment every day, combined with the undoubted significant potential of the team, gives me great confidence that the investments we’ve made and the plans we’ve put in place will not only keep Holland & Barrett competitive in today’s market, but position us to lead for years to come.”

Additionally, Holland & Barrett has appointed Vineta Bajaj as its new Group Chief Financial Officer, replacing Nick Allen, who is leaving the retailer to pursue other opportunities.

Bajaj previously held the same position at Rohlik Group, an online grocer spanning five countries in Europe. She also spent ten years at Ocado Group, working in various positions, including several finance director roles.

H&B’s last financial results showed that investment in its stores and product offer had helped drive up sales by 10% in the second year of its turnaround strategy.

Earlier this week, it was announced that H&B is collaborating with Co-op to expand its health and wellness offerings in its convenience stores.