Boots UK's Chief Information Officer (CIO), Richard Corbridge, has left the company after just 14 months in the role. Corbridge joined the company in October 2019, and his departure was announced internally on 10 December 2020.
Boots UK's Chief Information Officer (CIO), Richard Corbridge, has left the company after just 14 months in the role. Corbridge joined the company in October 2019, and his departure was announced internally on 10 December 2020.
Boots UK is part of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, which is one of the largest pharmacy chains in the world. The company operates over 2,500 stores in the UK and Ireland, and it also has a significant online presence.
Corbridge was responsible for Boots UK's digital transformation strategy, which aimed to improve the customer experience across all channels. He oversaw the development of new digital services, such as the Boots app, which allows customers to order prescriptions and book appointments online.
Corbridge also led the implementation of new technology in Boots stores, such as self-checkout machines and digital signage. He was also responsible for the company's cybersecurity and data protection policies.
Boots UK has not yet announced who will replace Corbridge as CIO. In the meantime, the company's IT team will report to Tracey Clements, the Managing Director of Boots UK.
Corbridge's departure comes at a time of significant change for Boots UK. The company has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a decline in footfall in its stores. In September 2020, Boots UK announced that it would be cutting 4,000 jobs, or around 7% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring plan.
Boots UK has also faced increased competition from online retailers, such as Amazon and ASOS. In response, the company has been investing heavily in its online presence, with a particular focus on its delivery and collection services.
Corbridge's departure has been met with surprise by some industry experts. Speaking to Internet Retailing, Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData Retail, said: "Corbridge's departure is a blow to Boots, which has been trying to modernize its business and improve its digital capabilities. It is unclear why he has left, but it is likely to be a setback for the company's transformation plans."
Corbridge has not yet commented on his departure from Boots UK. However, he has updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect that he is now a "freelance digital health consultant".
Sources:
https://internetretailing.net/boots-cio-departs/
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/12/boots-cio-richard-corbridge-departs-after-14-months/
