Boots CEO Sebastian James to Take Helm at Veonet
In a recent development, it has been revealed that the current CEO of Boots, Sebastian James, will be stepping down to take on a new role as the group chief executive of Veonet. The news comes after Sky News reported on Saturday that James would be leaving Boots in November.
Veonet, one of Europe’s largest chains of ophthalmology clinics, is owned by private equity firm PAI Partners and Canada’s Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. James is set to join the company soon after his departure from Boots. Veonet was acquired by its current owners in early 2022 from Nordic Capital, another buyout firm.
Operating in five European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, Veonet provides eye care services to over 2 million patients annually. One of its subsidiaries, SpaMedica, performs eye operations such as cataract removals for the NHS.
The current Veonet CEO, Dr. Markus Hamm, will be retiring but will continue to serve on the company’s board. James’ departure from Boots comes after its parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, announced the abandonment of plans to sell or float the pharmacy chain for the second time in two years. This news comes during the retailer’s 175th anniversary year.
An official announcement regarding James’ exit from Boots and his appointment at Veonet is expected to be made early this week. Despite attempts to reach Veonet for comment, no response was received. PAI and OTPP, the owners of Veonet, declined to comment on the matter.