NEW YORK — Walgreen Co. corporate vice president and chief innovation officer Colin Watts has left the chain to join Weight Watchers International Inc. as senior vice president of wellness and global ­innovation.

In his new role Watts will oversee the Weight Watchers’ North American B2B/health care business and will head the company’s global innovation and consumer insights teams.

“Colin comes to us at a very exciting time in North America as we accelerate the growth of our B2B/Healthcare business, starting with large, self-insured companies and leading to new partnerships with payers, providers and physicians that will significantly expand the reach and affordability of our services,” says David Burwick, president of Weight Watchers’ North American operation. “Colin’s broad array of experience and knowledge of the health care space and innovation development and commercialization make him uniquely qualified.”

At Walgreens Watts was credited with helping develop the business model, strategy and capabilities for the company to transition into a comprehensive health care provider. A Walgreens spokeswoman says the company has not yet decided if it will name a replacement for chief innovation officer.

Before Walgreens Watts was vice president and general manager at Campbell Soup Co., president of McNeil Consumer Healthcare Worldwide, and worldwide president of Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil Nutritionals LLC unit.