Boots chief quits after Walgreens’ sale plan stalls

(Reuters) -The boss of British health and beauty retailer Boots is quitting after U.S. owner Walgreens Boots Alliance’s plans for a sale or stock market listing of the chain stalled, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Sebastian James, who has run Boots since 2018, will remain in the post until November before taking up a new role elsewhere, the person told Reuters.

Walgreens did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment outside business hours.

Sky News first reported James’ exit, saying he had taken a role in the healthcare industry.

On Thursday, Walgreens warned on its profit outlook and said it had no plans to sell Boots, having decided to continue to invest in it.

($1 = 0.7910 pounds)

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru and James Davey in London; Editing by Andrew Heavens, David Holmes and Clelia Oziel)