Boots is planning to transfer its IT help desk overseas, putting up to 60 jobs at risk in the UK.

The pharmacy group explained that colleagues in the IT function have been informed of the intention to restructure parts of IT service desk.

“This transformation will consolidate our service desk activities which will help reduce decision-making time and complexity, as well as improve efficiency,” stated a spokesperson.

“These changes include creating one service desk and a new service operations team and will create 18 full-time roles into Boots IT – these roles will ensure local, dedicated support services for Boots IT and our stores.”

Boots also announced a renewed, five-year contract with strategic partner NCR, which will include service desk, field services, Belgrade system support services and onsite desktop support.

“The transition of the service desk to NCR will have an impact on some Boots colleagues within the Boots IT function, who will transfer under TUPE to NCR,” read the statement.

“The roles currently performed by the affected Boots employees in the UK will not be carried out by NCR in the UK, this means the employment of the transferring employees will be at risk of redundancy, and a consultation process with affected colleagues will begin immediately.”

The move follows Boots announcing in July that it intends to shut down around 200 stores over the next 18 months, placing thousands of jobs at risk. Managing director Seb James said the store closure scheme will primarily focus on local pharmacy branches in locations where it had other stores nearby.

The health and beauty retailer currently has around 2,500 stores in its estate and employs 56,000.

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