Boots UK Chief Information Officer Rich Corbridge departs for life outside of the retail technology space
Rich Corbridge has left Boots UK where he served as Chief Information Officer.
He joined the health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain in 2019, taking on the role of Director of Innovation, and becoming CIO in 2020.
Corbridge told RTIH that he was departing the retail sector, but could not yet reveal his next destination.
Boots UK did not respond to our request for comment regarding his replacement.
In a LinkedIn post, posted yesterday, he said: “Well the day has come and I need to say goodbye to this wonderful place and this brilliant team.”
“I have had the most amazing four years getting to know how this thing we call IT at Boots works and then trying to make a difference to how we all work together to deliver for this lovely business.”
He went on to list a series of stand out moments, including his first all staff conference in Leicester, and “achieving the unachievable and being able to announce the movement of the Data Office into Boots”.
Also: the final moment of a HCL migration and IBM cloud changes; the last pharmacy system go live, the opening of Innovate; and hearing the feedback after a helpdesk improvement programme.
Corbridge concluded: “Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way, it has been a brilliant ride! #TechAtBoots will go on and on being successful because the team here is brilliant.”
Uber Eats partnership
Beauty essentials and healthcare products from Boots can now be found on Uber Eats, offering rapid delivery to customers’ doors.
The retailer last year kicked off a pilot in 14 of its stores around the UK, with 13 of those giving people within range access to third-party doorstep delivery of its products for the very first time.
Uber Eats customers within range of participating Boots stores can choose from more than 900 products, including toiletries, medicines for minor ailments, food and drink options, and beauty and gifting options.
Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer at Boots, said: “We are hugely excited to be launching our partnership with Uber Eats.”
“As the first health and beauty retailer on its platform, we can offer an extensive range of product options to customers for delivery straight to their door.”
“Whether it’s medicines for mild illnesses or last minute gifts, beauty items or top-ups of a favourite skincare brand, we can meet all our customers’ needs both quickly and conveniently.”
Alex Troughton, Head of Commerce at Uber Eats UK, says: “As customers are increasingly using Uber Eats to get anything, this partnership will mean high quality health and beauty products delivered in minutes. So, no matter what you need, Uber Eats and Boots have got you covered."
Major stores taking part in the trial include Oxford Street, Sedley Place in London, Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow and Market Street in Manchester.
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