New chief exec for B&Q
Published: 16 February 2012
Kingfisher announces major boardroom changes - 0'Byrne and Sutherland move up, but Hogsted's role disappears
Kevin O'Byrne, currently Kingfisher's group finance director, has been named as Kingfisher Divisional CEO with responsibility for B&Q. His new role embraces the B&Q businesses in the UK and China, as well as the B&Q joint venture with Koctas in Turkey, and the strategic alliance with Hornbach in Germany.
He remains an executive director of Kingfisher, and an internal and external search is currently under way to replace him as group finance director.
Euan Sutherland, until now chief exec of Kingfisher UK & Ireland, becomes chief operating officer. His new role includes group-wide responsibility for the key common range initiative, which incorporates direct sourcing and own brands, and for developing the group's 'Eco' business.
Mr Sutherland will also assume responsibility for IT, property and human resources, as well as retaining responsibility for the Screwfix business where several new group-wide initiatives including multi-channel are currently under development.
Philippe Tible, currently CEO of Kingfisher France, becomes Kingfisher Divisional CEO, Castorama & Brico Dépôt. He retains responsibility for the French and Spanish businesses, and also assumes responsibility for Castorama in Poland and Russia.
The changes mean that the role of CEO, Kingfisher International will no longer exist, so Peter Hogsted will be leaving the business later in the year.