Walgreens Boots Alliance names new global chief information officer

By

Robin Driver

Published
Sep 10, 2019

US-based global retail pharmacy operator Wallgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) announced on Friday that it has appointed 17-year Kraft Heinz and Kraft Foods vet Francesco Tinto as global chief information officer and senior vice president.

 
In his new role, Tinto will oversee all of WBA’s IT operations and drive digital innovation at the company. His responsibilities will include data analytics, business intelligence, support and technical services.
 
In line with the group’s current projects, the executive will be expected to work alongside WBA’s major partners, such as Microsoft and Verily, to drive profitability through the optimization of the company’s IT infrastructure.

Tinto will be based at WBA’s corporate headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois, and will report to the company’s co-chief operating officers, Ornella Barra and Alex Gourlay. He succeeds Anthony Roberts, who is retiring from the role after 15 years, but will remain at WBA in an advisory capacity after assisting with the CIO transition.
 
Tinto joins WBA from The Kraft Heinz Company, where he most recently served as global chief information officer, having previously held the same role at Kraft Foods Group from 2012 to 2015.
 
The executive, who holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Bari Aldo Moro first joined Kraft Foods in September 2002, after an 11-year stint at Procter & Gamble, where he served as IT manager.
 
“I am very glad to be joining Walgreens Boots Alliance at a time when technology and innovation are more important than ever to the company’s success,” said Tinto in a release. “I am looking forward to working with my highly-talented team around the world to ensure WBA is at the forefront in this critical area of the business.”
 
WBA currently operates more than 18,500 stores in 11 countries, and boasts a portfolio of retail and business brands including Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade and Alliance Healthcare. The company also owns health and beauty brands including No7, Soap & Glory and Botanics.