LloydsPharmacy has appointed Kevin Birch, chief retail officer at parent company McKesson, as CEO after three years in his current post.

Mr Birch's previously held roles include CEO at Avicenna pharmacy group, senior vice president at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and retail pharmacy operations director for Boots UK and Ireland.

As CEO of LloydsPharmacy, he will be responsible for leading the retail business, including MASTA Travel – which offers travel health consultations, vaccinations and antimalarials - and the healthcare services division.

‘I’m delighted to accept the position of CEO at LloydsPharmacy,’ Mr Birch commented. ‘I look forward to working with our colleagues on creating a new future for LloydsPharmacy.’

It follows the departure of former McKesson CEO Toby Anderson in May after almost four years in the post.

Also in May, McKesson UK chief financial officer Chris Keen stepped down from his leadership role with immediate effect.

In April, McKesson UK, the parent company of LloydsPharmacy and wholesaler AAH, was acquired by private equity firm Aurelius Group.