By Leo King, Contributor

Walgreens chief information officer Timothy Theriault has strengthened his place in line to play a major part in the pharmacy chain’s challenging cost-cutting attempts, as it emerged he will take on full control of IT in a merged Walgreens and Alliance Boots group.

As Walgreens announced today that it would exercise its option to take full control of Swiss-based, UK operating Alliance Boots in a $15 billion deal, it confirmed that Theriault will take full control of IT in both organizations – lining him up for an enormous cost cutting task. Walgreens already owned 45% of Alliance Boots before today’s announcement.