DIYWEEK.net

Appointment of new finance director aims to further enhance B&Q’s line up.
James Skelton has been appointed finance director of Kingfisher UK. In this capacity he will report to B&Q ceo Euan Sutherland and have direct responsibility for B&Q UK & Ireland. The finance directors of Trade Depot and Screwfix will report functionally to Mr Skelton.

Mr Skelton joined Kingfisher in April 2007 as deputy group finance director, after spending nine years at Tesco, and has played a key leadership role in group finance.

At Tesco he was finance director for UK operations and Ireland, and prior to this role Mr Skelton worked for Tesco Lotus in Thailand, where he spent five years as chief financial officer.

Prior to Tesco, Mr Skelton held positions at Pizza Hut UK in Financial Planning and also at Price Waterhouse.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Skelton said: "B&Q is a great business and a great brand. It's a fantastic opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it."

Euan Sutherland said: "James' experience both at Tesco and more recently at Kingfisher, makes him an ideal finance director for B&Q. He already knows the business well and so can hit the ground running."

Mr Skelton is in good company on the B&Q team, joining the likes of ceo Mr Sutherland, commercial director John Colley and marketing director Jo Kenrick, who all have strong backgrounds in retail.