Well appoints pharmacist as operations director; Nigel Swift moves to Phoenix to assist group's CEO

Well Pharmacy has announced the appointment of Louis Purchase as operations director.

He replaces Nigel Swift who is leaving the company to join Phoenix as the group's assistant chief executive officer, UK.

Commenting on Nigel's departure, Seb Hobbs, CEO of Well Pharmacy, said: “Nigel leaves with my thanks and our best wishes for his next role. It is important for the pharmacy sector to have strong leadership as we seek fair funding for the amazing work community pharmacy delivers for the NHS and our patients.”

Louis is a pharmacist and has been with Well for five years, first serving as a regional manager, leading pharmacy teams across the South West before being promoted as head of central operations at the UK’s largest independent pharmacy chain.

Commenting on his new role and promotion, he said: “I’m excited to step up into the role at such an important and exciting time at Well. Our Delivering Well strategy is clear and sets out our path to build the best pharmacy experience in the UK and make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our patients.

"As a pharmacist I know first-hand how our community pharmacy teams help alleviate pressure on the NHS and at Well we’re working to harness technology-led solutions to give our Pharmacists and pharmacy teams more time to provide care for their local communities.”

Louis has previously worked in operational roles at Boots UK and a large family-owned independent pharmacy chain.

Hobbs, concluded saying: “I am thrilled with Louis taking on the role of Operations Director (Designate) as he has the understanding of Well and has leadership capabilities that make him the ideal person to lead and inspire our pharmacy teams. His promotion further evidences the career development opportunities available at Well.”

With the latest appointment, the independent pharmacy chain has three pharmacists as members on its executive committee. The company in a statement on Tuesday (June 1) claimed that this move "makes it (Well) even more inclusive and representative of its business operation".