The new CEO at IDH

After creating a bit of a tease on Monday, I can now report on the appointment of a new CEO for Integrated Dental Holdings from July 2010.

Richard Smith has spent the last 5 years with Lloyds Pharmacy assuming responsibility, as Managing Director, for 17,000 staff working across 1700 branches and sales in excess of £1.7bn.

Prior to that, Richard has held management posts in Somerfield, Gateway, BAT and Unilever.

Existing CEO and founder David Hudaly will now transition into a part-time role as Chairman.

During a 1:1 conversation with Richard last week, it became evident to me that he has done his homework on the dental sector, has an enormous energy and a crystal-clear vision of where he wants to take IDH in its next stage of evolution.

Whilst I will continue to operate in both the NHS, corporate and independent sectors as an advisor, I am truly excited about Richard’s arrival at IDH and the implications of that for all areas of the profession.

The arrival of experienced retailers like Richard (and other recent appointments elsewhere) is a clear portent of the future – and I still believe it is a future where all sectors can thrive.