Holland & Barrett appoints new Chief People Officer as it continues transformation

Holland & Barrett has appointed Michelle Boothroyd as Chief People Officer as the health and wellness retailer continues its transformation.

At Holland & Barrett, Boothroyd will lead the company’s people strategy as the company continues to invest in its store estate and digital operations, as well as expanding its beauty offer.

She joins the health and wellness retailer from the residential landlord Grainger, where she also served as Chief People Officer for the last four years.

She has also held senior human resources roles at Nationwide Building Society, Santander, NatWest Group and Virgin Atlantic, as well as Howden Insurance Brokers.

Announcing her appointment on LinkedIn, Boothroyd said Holland & Barrett’s evidence-led advice and science-based approach had attracted her to the role, including the opportunity to extend its customer philosophy to employees.

“I believe great organisations are built when we back our people. When we listen, invest in their potential, create opportunities to grow and build an environment where everyone can thrive,” she said.

“Our culture is what makes us special, which I have seen over the last couple of weeks when I have been speaking to colleagues across our stores and hubs.”

Boothroyd said she was looking forward to listening to employees across the business and continuing to build a culture where people feel “supported, empowered and confident”.

“There is something incredibly exciting about joining a business with over 150 years of heritage, while looking to the future with clear strategic direction and leadership commitment to our people,” she added.

Investment supports continued expansion

The appointment comes as Holland & Barrett expands its retail footprint and develops a broader health and wellness proposition under Group CEO Anthony Houghton. 

For the year ended 30 September 2025, Holland & Barrett reported an 11% increase in annual revenue to £981 million, extending its run of annual double-digit growth to three years. Digital sales rose 20%, while the company invested £124 million in capital expenditure, including £43.5 million in technology development.

The retailer opened 47 stores across the UK and Ireland during the period, bringing its estate to 809 locations after closures and other changes. Its expansion has also included partnerships with Ocado, Co-op, NEXT and Morrisons. The first Holland & Barrett concession inside Morrisons opened in Stockport in September 2025.

Beauty forms part of the wider transformation

Beauty has become a larger part of Holland & Barrett’s growth strategy, with the retailer combining topical products and ingestible wellness through an “inside-out” approach.

Vicky Kelly, Beauty Category Director at Holland & Barrett, said in a recent interview with TheIndustry.beauty that the category returned to double-digit growth within the first 12 months under the reshaped strategy.

The work has involved adding new brands and creating partnerships, while also bringing together skincare and haircare with supplements supporting hair, skin, nails and collagen.