Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Kingfisher appoints Ian Cheshire as group chief executive

Published: 25 January 2008
B&Q ceo replaces outgoing Gerry Murphy with effect from January 28, 2008.
Kingfisher appoints Ian Cheshire as group chief executive
Mr Cheshire was chosen because of his extensive experience of international home improvement retailing and knowledge of the Kingfisher businesses, Kingfisher chairman Peter Jackson said.

"This makes him uniquely placed to lead the business and drive through the changes necessary to improve returns and maximise the value available from the opportunities in our business," he added.

Ian Cheshire, 48, has held a wide variety of roles in the UK and internationally since joining Kingfisher in 1998 including his current position as chief executive of B&Q UK.

Prior to this he was group strategy director and subsequently joined the main board in 2000 as chief executive of Kingfisher's fledgling e-commerce division.

In 2002, having successfully developed the online business for B&Q, Comet and Woolworths, he became ceo, International and Development, with responsibility for all of Kingfisher's retail operations outside of the UK and France.

Ian Cheshire said: "I'm excited by the challenge of leading Kingfisher and believe there is significant potential for a real step change in shareholder value.

"To achieve this, we will move at pace, focusing on the customer, tightening our control of costs and making sure that our cash and capital works more productively."

Comments

Published prior to March 2014
By D Hughes
Customer focus is very sadly lacking. I have been repeatedly promised fulfilment of my large order placed in May 09 the majority of which was excellent. However I am sat at home now five months since my order was placed with 6 pallets of paving on my drive awaiting key replacement slabs that were found to be broken on delivery. The store staff have been excellent in their attitudes but the replacement of the parts has not been forthcoming despite numerous promises. An early summer project is now certainly going to be a xmas project if I eventually get some joy. Who knows!!!!!! I am so frustrated by this.
Published prior to March 2014
By Richard Bartlett
Ian, what are you and your team doing?? as extremely intelligent as your team is, why, why, why get rid of Trade Depot??? Initial Loss in a unstable market is an initiative to improve. Ive been in this industry managing for over 20 years and for once there is a building/DIY supplier that has got of its ass, provides a service and works relatively well? Yes you have issues but they could be easily changed. So instead of giving in so soon, focus on the real issue's you suffer on a daily basis. YOUR suppliers, in house training and the sorry excuse for marketing used to promote the Trade Depot. I will drive that extra mile to get to your products as ime tighter than a badgers backside and know full well that hundreds if not thousands would do same. Dont give up Ian, NOW in this credit crunch is the time to excercise a marketing strategy that would make any shareholder wince at first but be glad of the return within 10 months. Yours a very satisfied but a...[comment was too long]

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