Senior hires ahead of automated pharmacy dispensing facility launch

Leeds-based HubRx has appointed Matthew Tollefson as chief financial officer and Karl Wooldridge as operations director as it prepares to launch the UK’s first automated pharmacy hub for independent community pharmacists.

Tollefson joins the HubRx team, headed by CEO Daniel Lee the founder of Pharmacy2U, from Leeds-based corporate finance firm Sentio Partners.

He has also held positions with Mazars, Ernst & Young and is a trustee and treasurer for charity, Simon on the Streets.

He said: “Joining HubRx was an offer I could not pass up. The pedigree driving the business is second to none and it’s a true example of disruption to make a positive change to the lives of pharmacists and patients.”

Wooldridge brings more than 14 years of sector experience to his new role having held key positions with Phoenix Medical Supplies and Lloyds Pharmacy.

He said: “I’ve joined the business at an exciting time – we’re on the cusp of launching something truly innovative and game changing.

“HubRx is pioneering, our approach will transform community pharmacy. We’re investing in cutting-edge technology to create an automated dispensing hub that will create capacity for pharmacists, allow them to grow and expand their skills.”

HubRx, which is set to create 100 new jobs in Leeds, will be able to free up prescription dispensary time for upwards of 200 independent community pharmacies through a hub and spoke model from a state-of-the-art 40,000 sq ft fully automated facility at Logic Leeds Business Park.

The HubRx team has more that 20 years of experience in digital healthcare and centralised automated dispensing.

It was founded by CEO Daniel Lee, formerly of Pharmacy2U, and Chairman Sean Riddell formerly of EMIS Group.