Stefano Pessina
Executive Chairman of The Boots Group, Alliance Boots · Switzerland
Stefano Pessina is the CEO of Alliance Boots. Pessina is based in Switzerland. Earlier roles include positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance. Pessina was born in 1941 in Pescara and educated at Polytechnic University of Milan.
Italian-Monegasque billionaire businessman born in 1941. Graduated from Polytechnic University of Milan in nuclear engineering. Founded pharmaceutical wholesaling businesses in Italy starting in 1977 and built them into major European operations before the 2014 merger with Walgreens.
Recent developments
AI summary of recent coverageRecent coverage has focused on the acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance by Sycamore Partners, which was completed in 2025 and resulted in the company being taken private and subsequently restructured into five separate standalone companies. Headlines also indicate discussions regarding a potential multibillion-dollar sale of Boots and possible leadership changes that could lead to a return to public markets, with reporting on Pessina's plans to increase their stake following the Sycamore takeover.
Summarized from the headlines below; see each source for the full story.
Key Facts
Source: Wikidata ↗- Born
- June 4, 1941 · Pescara
- Citizenship
- Italy
- Education
- Polytechnic University of Milan
Our coverage
On CEOInsider
No feature yet. When we publish a feature, interview or cover story on Stefano Pessina, it will appear here — and tie into the news timeline.
Stefano Pessina: FAQ
- Who is Stefano Pessina?
- Stefano Pessina is the Executive Chairman of The Boots Group of Alliance Boots, based in Switzerland.
- What company does Stefano Pessina lead?
- Stefano Pessina is CEO of Alliance Boots.
- Where did Stefano Pessina work previously?
- Earlier roles include Walgreens Boots Alliance (CEO).
- Where was Stefano Pessina educated?
- Stefano Pessina studied at Polytechnic University of Milan.