THE WHAT? Sebastian James, CEO of Boots, the UK’s largest high street pharmacy chain, is set to leave the company in November. His departure follows the suspension of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s (WBA) plans for a £5bn sale or stock market listing of the chain.

THE DETAILS  James, who has been at the helm since 2018, will transition to a new role in the healthcare industry. His exit comes soon after WBA, Boots’ parent company, decided against pursuing a sale or flotation for the second time in two years.

THE WHY? WBA’s strategic review of its assets led to the decision to retain Boots, citing the chain’s growth, strategic strength, and cash flow as key contributors to the company.