In yet another move which demonstrates the extraordinary levels of confidence in the Alitam ‘Pharmacy of the Future’ concept, financial wunderkind Zachary Brech today joins Alitam as Chief Financial Officer. I’m absolutely delighted as this comes at a really exciting time for the Alitam Group. We have an extremely talented and diverse board of directors, a robust business plan and a game-changing vision. Momentum has never been greater as we focus on strong organic growth, and a vigorous acquisition programme. Zac will be instrumental in writing financial models and plans as Alitam looks to acquire an additional 100+ stores over the next two years.
Zac brings a huge amount of financial due diligence experience to the role, and a formidable background in the cut-and-thrust world of M&A. Indeed, he’s a really big name who has achieved an extraordinary amount in a short period of time – a man after my own heart!
As head of the UK M&A division at Credit Suisse he played a key role in a number of high profile business transactions including Barclays’ offer for ABN AMRO, and the recapitalisation of Lloyds and HBOS by the UK government.
Unsurprisingly, all of this talent and hard work has been honoured by the industry: he was named a ‘Rising Star’ by the Financial News in 2006 and 2009; and Credit Suisse was awarded UK M&A ‘House of the Year’ during his tenure, in both 2007 and 2008.
Crucially for Alitam, Zac personally managed the complex and high profile merger of Alliance Unichem and Boots. He thus brings great insight and know-how regarding M&A deals in the world of pharmacy – of inestimable value at this vital juncture, as the Alitam Group seeks significant private equity investment. Zac will be working on the financial modelling of the ambitious 100+ roll-up programme.
He will also be tasked with the financial modelling of organic growth for individual pharmacies, as Alitam seeks to integrate innovative service lines, in order to offer the public the healthcare they so desperately need. At this time, there is a 6 million-long waiting list for NHS treatments, which the government is struggling to fund. One of Alitam’s core aims is to deliver instore diagnostics and treatments on demand, and to reduce illness and deaths by building its own preventative medical health system.
There’s another huge job which will require his unique expertise: devising a financial model to acquire large, empty high street stores, and kit them out according to the ‘Super Pharmacy’ concept. These ‘Medical and Wellbeing Centres’ will operate as one-stop-shops for health and wellbeing, providing not just highly regulated medical care, but further treatments such as physio, vaccinations, aesthetics and even midwifery. Zac will be closely involved with their roll out, across the UK and Ireland region, over the next ten years.
All in all, Zac joining us is a ringing endorsement of the Pharmacy of the Future concept. When we first met, he at once saw that the idea is not only sound, but timely, as our health services face unprecedented levels of pressure. He has a fierce intelligence, impressive track record and boundless enthusiasm for the Alitam concept. All of us on the Alitam board are delighted to have his confidence and talent invested in us. I will learn a lot from Zac, which can only help our ongoing Overnight Multiple Merger Models (OMMMs).
