Holland & Barrett appoints new UK CEO as it restructures leadership team

Holland & Barrett has promoted Chief Operating Officer Anthony Houghton to CEO in the UK and Ireland as the business looks to "accelerate its growth and transformation strategy".

Houghton first joined Holland & Barrett as Retail & Property Director in September 2018, before taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer in February 2023.

Prior to this, he served as Retail Director at Wilko, as well as in other retail roles at Pedigree Group and Woolworths Group.

The move comes as the business creates a new operating model with three new divisions and promoted leadership as part of its ongoing transformation strategy, according to Retail Week.

Houghton will lead its UK and Ireland business, while group Chief Commercial Officer Alex Dower has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Holland & Barrett’s international division.

Meanwhile, Chief Business & Science Officer Tamara Rajah has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Wellness Solutions and Chief Transformation Officer.

Holland & Barrett said the divisions will be "supported by central group functions across HR, finance and tech, and group capability across product development, customer, marketing and communications".

It comes as the business continues to invest in its workforce, upping hourly in-store work rates by 9%, from £11.00 to £12.00. London-based colleagues will receive an increase from £11.95 to £13.00.

The new pay, which comes into effect on 1 April 2024, means store-based colleagues will have received a 25% raise in the past two years.