Superdrug appoints Craig Watt in ‘newly created’ pharmacy director role
The former pharmacy manager who joined Superdrug at “just 16” years old will help the health and beauty giant accomplish its “ambitious plans for pharmacy”, C+D has learned.
Superdrug has appointed Craig Watt as its new “pharmacy director” – a “newly created role within the business”, C+D can exclusively reveal.
The new role will see Watt lead the chain’s “pharmacy, health clinic and online doctor functions”, as well as its on-and-offline “healthcare customer experience”, Superdrug told C+D yesterday (July 17).
The position will see Watt deliver the multiples’ “healthcare strategy, which includes growing Superdrug’s pharmacy and clinic portfolios”, it said.
His job description will also cover continuing “growth and innovation” for Superdrug Online Doctor and “implementing new IT systems to enhance the patient experience”, it added.
“Clear talent”
Watt “became a pharmacy manager at Superdrug in 2006”, the multiple told C+D.
Since then, he has held “various roles within the business” including regional healthcare manager, private services manager and head of healthcare operations, it added.
More recently, he held the position of head of pharmacy operations for the North, “demonstrating his clear talent for inspiring his team and delivering widespread success”, the multiple said.
“Stand out moments during his Superdrug career” include supporting the rollout and implementation of the multiple’s COVID-19 clinics in 2020 and celebrating both the 25-year anniversary of Superdrug pharmacy and the 10-year anniversary of Superdrug nurses in 2017, it added.
“Joined Superdrug at 16”
“I’m excited to take on this new role within a business that I truly am passionate about,” Watt said.
Reflecting on the new role, he added that “having joined Superdrug at just 16 years old working across both retail and health, I’ve been part of the brand's exciting growth - particularly in healthcare - for many years”.
“I’m looking forward to driving forward our pharmacy, clinic and online doctor platforms, in order to continue to support and improve our customers' healthcare,” he said.
Superdrug’s chief commercial director Simon Comins told C+D that Watts’ “proven track record” and “commitment and passion…made him the ideal candidate for this role”.
“We have ambitious plans for pharmacy and Watt’s appointment, along with the wider team, will help us deliver our goals,” he added.
The news comes after Superdrug revealed earlier this month that its pre-tax profits rose by a heroic 44%, soaring to £111.6 million last year.
Superdrug chief executive Peter Macnab said at the time that the multiple had “continued to invest in [its] store estate” over the year.
It opened 14 branches in the reporting period, with “larger stores” offering “health services”, and also refitted 45 “existing stores” with new shop fronts, floor layouts, signage, flooring and ceilings, it announced.
Meanwhile in May, the multiple revealed that it would open a further 25 bricks-and-mortar premises in 2024, which it expected to “create over 500 jobs nationwide”.
It said at the time that it would also extend seven existing stores and refit 60 over the course of 2024, but it was unclear how many, if any, of the stores will include a pharmacy.
