Walgreens Boots names global CFO

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. has appointed George Fairweather, formerly group finance director of Alliance Boots, as executive vice president and global chief financial officer, effective Feb. 20.

Fairweather will succeed Timothy McLevish, who served as Walgreens CFO since August 2014, where he advanced the company’s completion of its merger with Alliance Boots to form Walgreens Boots Alliance and served as the initial global chief financial officer of the combined companies.

“We welcome George to lead the Walgreens Boots Alliance global finance group as we move forward following our successful merger to create the first international pharmacy-led health, wellbeing and beauty retail enterprise,” said Jim Skinner, Walgreens Boots Alliance executive chairman. “George’s global experience and expertise, and service with Alliance Boots, will ensure an effective transition and the strong financial leadership the future combined enterprise will need going forward."

McLevish will continue his service to Walgreens Boots Alliance as senior adviser to the chief executive officer for finance, integration and business development. In this role, McLevish will work closely with acting chief executive officer Stefano Pessina and Fairweather to assist in the ongoing integration of the financial teams, the company’s cost-reduction program and business development for the future enterprise.

“Going forward, we are also very grateful that Tim will continue with the company as a senior advisor. Tim’s broad and deep experience as a chief financial officer for American companies with global reach will provide a critically important bridge as George and the team continue to combine and integrate our financial operations,” Skinner added.

Fairweather was group finance director of Alliance Boots since its formation in July 2006. He joined Alliance UniChem in the same position in 2002 and later led the financial integration during the merger with Boots Group. Previously Fairweather was group finance director of Elementis (joining when it was Harrisons and Crosfield) and before that, group finance director of Dawson International, both UK-based international groups with a significant U.S. presence. Earlier in his career, Fairweather worked for Dixons Group in the UK and U.S., Procter & Gamble and KPMG Thomson McLintock. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

McLevish said: “Over the last several months, I have worked extensively with George, and have the utmost respect for him as a leader and confidence in his global experience in retail pharmacy and wholesale. This will provide a strong foundation to allow Walgreens Boots Alliance to realize the great vision of this combined enterprise.

Walgreens Boots Alliance operates nearly 13,000 stores in 11 countries.