Rowlands Pharmacy has found a replacement to Kenny Black as managing director of the company after his departure was announced yesterday (3 June).

The chain's former retail operations director Mark Bather has been appointed to the position and will also sit on the board of Rowlands' parent company PHOENIX UK, it was revealed today (4 June).

He replaces Kenny Black, who has now moved on from the company 'after 20 years of loyal and committed service in order to pursue new career opportunities’, Rowlands said.

UK Group managing director for PHOENIX Steve Anderson said: 'Mark joined us at the start of 2019...and has already made a considerable impact.

'He brings to this post a wealth of retail experience from his time at Tesco, O2 and Thomson (TUI), which will help us grow our business profitably in the years ahead.'

Mr Bather said: 'Since I joined Rowlands, I have been impressed by the dedication and determination of colleagues to deliver first class customer service and patient care.

'We all know that community pharmacy faces extremely tough trading conditions, but I believe we are building a great team and developing a strategy to deliver the healthcare services that our patients and the NHS want and need.

'I’m looking forward to working with the team and the broader PHOENIX board and I am excited to begin shaping the Rowlands estate, which will be fit for the future a great brand; great people; great service and a determination to innovate.'