AS Watson Health & Beauty UK, the parent company of Superdrug and Savers, has appointed Clare Jennings as its new property director, following the retirement of Nigel Duxbury after 20 years in the role. Clare will take over on 2 May 2025, bringing 25 years of commercial property experience to the position.
Jennings, who joined AS Watson in 2018 as a senior regional estates manager before being promoted to head of estates in 2021, has played a key role in refitting Superdrug’s flagship Marble Arch store and leading the company’s property team. She will now oversee Superdrug’s expansion strategy, which includes opening 30 new stores in 2025, with locations confirmed in Leeds Briggate and Meadowhall. In addition to new openings, 65 stores will be refitted to enhance the in-store experience.
Commenting on her appointment, 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.”
In addition to overseeing Superdrug and Savers, Jennings will also manage the property portfolio for The Perfume Shop, continuing the work carried out by her predecessor.
Superdrug CEO and director of AS Watson Health & Beauty UK, Peter Macnab, praised Nigel Duxbury’s impact over the past two decades, stating: “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.
“His achievements are too many to list, but his tenure has included the integration of many amazing Beauty Studios into the Superdrug estate, the opening of our best-in-class Westfield Stratford store and the launch of the More Sustainable Store Project across the whole AS Watson estate. As the leader of our Superdrug ESG workstream, he has also passionately led our incredibly successful and longstanding charity partnership with Marie Curie, which has raised a staggering £13 million in 11 years.
“On behalf of all of us here at Superdrug and AS Watson wider, I thank Nigel for his incredible 20 years of service and wish him a healthy and happy retirement.”
With Superdrug’s continued expansion, including 30 new store openings and 65 store refurbishments in 2025, AS Watson Health & Beauty UK is strengthening its presence on the high street while enhancing its in-store customer experience.
