Holland & Barrett has appointed Michelle Boothroyd as chief people officer..

She joins Holland & Barrett from FTSE 250 residential landlord Grainger, where she also served as chief people officer for more than four years.

Boothroyd has held a string of senior HR roles during her career, including positions at Nationwide Building Society, Santander and NatWest Group, as well as earlier roles at Howden Insurance Brokers and Virgin Atlantic.

In her new role, Boothroyd will oversee Holland & Barrett’s people strategy as the retailer continues to invest across its stores, digital operations and customer proposition.

She said the opportunity to apply Holland & Barrett’s focus on helping customers live healthier lives to its own workforce was a key attraction of the role.

Boothroyd added that she was looking forward to building a culture where colleagues feel “supported, empowered and confident” as it continues its growth plans.

The appointment was revealed amid a broader overhaul of Holland & Barrett’s leadership team.

Earlier this year, it appointed Steve Worboys as chief operating officer, giving him responsibility for retail operations across all markets, its supply chain and customer experience.

Holland & Barrett has been ramping up investment as it seeks to position itself as a broader wellness destination, with recent initiatives spanning store upgrades, digital services and an expansion of its beauty and preventative health offer.

It posted an 11 per cent rise in annual sales to £981m in its latest financial year, marking its third consecutive year of double-digit growth. However, pre-tax losses widened to £71m as it continued to invest in stores, staff training and digital improvements.

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