LONDON, June 7 (Reuters) - Former HBOS Plc chief executive Andy Hornby has been in talks to become CEO of Alliance Boots, the privately owned high-street chemist.
'Alliance Boots confirms it is currently engaged in discussions with Andy Hornby, who is a leading candidate for the role,' the company said in a statement on Sunday.
'It hopes to complete the process shortly and a further announcement will be made at that time.'
The new CEO role would report to executive chairman Stefano Pessina, Boots said.
His appointment, if successful, would be a return to retail for Hornby who was previously managing director of George, ASDA supermarket's clothing business. He was touted as a possible Boots CEO years ago.
He is also a non-executive director of Home Retail Group Plc .
Hornby was CEO of HBOS until its takeover by Lloyds Banking Group in a government-brokered rescue in January.
He was one of a handful of top bankers who apologised for their role in the banking crisis before a meeting of Britain's Treasury Select Committee in February.
(Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien and Julie Crust; editing by Ralph Boulton) Keywords: ALLIANCEBOOTS/HORNBY (julie.crust@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 3847) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'Alliance Boots confirms it is currently engaged in discussions with Andy Hornby, who is a leading candidate for the role,' the company said in a statement on Sunday.
'It hopes to complete the process shortly and a further announcement will be made at that time.'
The new CEO role would report to executive chairman Stefano Pessina, Boots said.
His appointment, if successful, would be a return to retail for Hornby who was previously managing director of George, ASDA supermarket's clothing business. He was touted as a possible Boots CEO years ago.
He is also a non-executive director of Home Retail Group Plc .
Hornby was CEO of HBOS until its takeover by Lloyds Banking Group in a government-brokered rescue in January.
He was one of a handful of top bankers who apologised for their role in the banking crisis before a meeting of Britain's Treasury Select Committee in February.
(Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien and Julie Crust; editing by Ralph Boulton) Keywords: ALLIANCEBOOTS/HORNBY (julie.crust@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 3847) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.