Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd. has appointed Ron Wilson as its new president and chief executive officer, effective March 2, as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth and operational transformation.
The pharmacy retailer said Wilson will succeed Nicolas Caprio, who will transition from his role as president to join Rexall’s board of directors and support the leadership change through the end of March.
The leadership changes also include the appointment of Jeff Boutilier, currently senior vice-president of store operations and pharmacy, as chief operating officer.
Leadership transition
Rexall said Wilson will be responsible for leading the company’s strategy as it advances its position in community-based health and wellness across Canada.
Wilson most recently served as president of Best Buy Canada, where the company said he led a number of growth and innovation initiatives. Those initiatives included expanding the Best Buy Express store network, scaling the Best Buy Marketplace and modernizing fulfillment and customer-facing operations.
Rexall said Wilson brings experience leading large-scale retail organizations through periods of change and operational growth.
“I’m honoured to join Rexall at an important moment of growth for the business,” said Wilson. “Rexall is a trusted name for Canadians, and I’m excited to work alongside the pharmacy teams to empower their expertise, enhance performance, drive growth, and continue improving how we support customers and patients.”
Strategic focus
In his new role, Rexall said Wilson will focus on strengthening execution across the organization, increasing engagement and advancing what the company describes as its pharmacy-first strategy to community care and health services.
The company characterized Wilson as a people-focused leader who emphasizes organizational culture, collaboration and frontline teams responsible for delivering care and service.
Rexall said pharmacy operations will remain central to its business model and strategic direction.
As part of that focus, Boutilier’s appointment as chief operating officer is intended to strengthen the company’s pharmacy strategy and operational leadership.
“With pharmacy at the heart of Rexall’s purpose and business, Jeff Boutilier, currently Senior Vice President, Store Operations & Pharmacy, is also appointed Chief Operating Officer, where he will lead a pharmacy strategy dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of Canadians,” the company said in its release.
Board continuity
Caprio, who has served as president, will remain involved with Rexall through his role on the board and during the leadership transition period.
The company said the planned transition is intended to maintain continuity while advancing its long-term priorities.
“It has been a privilege to lead Rexall and our dedicated teams across the country. As I transition to the Board of Directors, I am incredibly confident in Ron’s ability to lead Rexall into its next chapter of growth,” said Caprio. “Ron’s extensive retail expertise, combined with Jeff Boutilier’s deep pharmacy leadership as the new Chief Operating Officer, ensures that our pharmacy-first commitment remains at the heart of everything we do. This planned transition reinforces our stability and our unwavering focus on providing exceptional care to the patients and customers we serve.”
Company overview
Rexall operates more than 370 pharmacies across Canada and employs approximately 7,800 people. The company provides prescription services, preventive care and in-store health support.
The retailer said its leadership changes are aligned with its stated purpose of delivering health care services at the community level, with pharmacy operations as the foundation of its business.
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