Superdrug owner appoints new property boss
AS Watson, the owner of Superdrug and Savers, has announced the appointment of Clare Jennings as property director.
She will take on the position in May, succeeding Nigel Duxbury who leaves after 20 years in the role.
Jennings joined AS Watson in 2018 as a senior regional estates manager before taking on the role of head of estates in 2021.
Her new responsibilities include overseeing Superdrug’s expansion strategy, which will see the opening of 30 stores in 2025, with new locations already confirmed in Leeds Briggate and Meadowhall. She will also be in charge of managing the property portfolios of Savers and The Perfume Shop.
Clare Jennings said: “I am delighted to be promoted into the role of property director at AS Watson, a business that has brought me so many career highlights already.
“I am very passionate about our store estate and for Superdrug in particular, we have strong ambitions in 2025. We aim to open 30 new sites this year, including best-in-class retail park stores in locations like Leeds Briggate and Meadowhall. We will also refit 65 stores to ensure that we continue to offer our customers and communities the very best in modern, up-to-date shopping experiences.
“These are exciting times to be part of the AS Watson Group and I look forward to driving our thriving estate forwards with support from my fellow executive board members, the property team and our retail colleagues across the country.”
Speaking on the outgoing Nigel Duxbury, Superdrug CEO and director of AS Watson Health & Beauty UK, Peter Macnabsaid: “Nigel’s immense contribution to the AS Watson Group has been nothing short of remarkable. He has played an integral role in transforming Superdrug, as well as Savers and The Perfume Shop, and has been instrumental in making them the robust businesses they are today.”