Boots has appointed Currys boss Alex Baldock to take on the high street healthcare and beauty chain’s top job later this year.

The planned appointment comes amid growing speculation that Britain’s biggest chemist is preparing for a potential multibillion-pound stock market listing.

Mr Baldock will become chief executive of the retailer in the autumn, succeeding Anthony Hemmerdinger, who is currently senior vice president and managing director of Boots in the UK and Ireland.

He recently revealed plans to step down from Currys after eight years in the job for a “new opportunity” outside the firm.

Sebastian James, Mr Baldock’s predecessor at Currys, when it was called Dixons Carphone, also left to join Boots, in 2018.…