Ornella Barra, Chief Executive, Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division, Alliance Boots

Ornella Barra speaking on day two of the Responsible Business Convention 2011

Ornella’s career focus has been on finding ever sharper ways to integrate responsible business practice while targeting competitive advantage from corporate responsibility. Her keen sense of business drives her to target the most profitable opportunities flowing from responsible business practice. As a result of her drive and the success of Alliance Boots integration of responsibility issues, Boots is now the number one pharmacy provider in Europe. Its CR strategy is focussed on empowering local and regional teams to drive CR aspects of its business. Local champions are the key to implementing various aspects of Boots programme.

“CSR forms an integral part of our organisation's growth” she said, giving several examples of Boots community minded activities. Boots uses its performance framework to give decision-making, and profit-making power to local parts of its business.