Kevin O'Byrne takes on leadership of B&Q UK & Ireland

Kingfisher plc, Europe's largest home improvement retailer, announces that Kevin O’Byrne, CEO of B&Q and Koçtas brands, will assume direct leadership of B&Q UK & Ireland, from today.

Kevin is a Kingfisher plc director and Deputy Chairman of our joint venture in Turkey, Koçtas.

Commenting on the change Ian Cheshire, Group Chief Executive said:

“Our customers and our market place continue to evolve very quickly and so now more than ever B&Q needs to redouble its efforts to ensure continued success. This move allows Kevin to focus fully with the team on the performance of B&Q and driving key initiatives to improve our customer offer, including the acceleration of the omni-channel strategy. To support this I will assume responsibility for our businesses in China and Turkey.”

EDIT:

B&Q has dramatically overhauled its senior management team, resulting in chief executive Martyn Phillips leaving the business after 19 years.

The DIY giant will now be run directly by Kevin O’Byrne, chief executive of the B&Q and Koçtas brands for the group.

B&Q has also appointed three new directors to its board across omnichannel, supply chain and marketing.

Phillips’ role has been made redundant by B&Q owner Kingfisher in order to “simplify the B&Q structure” by removing a level of management, according to a Kingfisher spokesman.

Phillips, who has been with Kingfisher for 19 years, 11 of which were at B&Q, leaves by mutual agreement. It is understood he is looking to pursue a career in leadership development.

B&Q has also appointed Steve Willett to lead its omnichannel operation. Willet is Kingfisher’s chief executive of group productivity and development.

B&Q has also hired Screwfix’s Dave Lowther as its logistics and supply chain director, replacing Chris Ward. It has also hired Chris Moss as its customer and marketing director, a new position for B&Q. The marketing function at B&Q was formerly held by Katherine Paterson, who left last year and had not been formally replaced.

Moss was formerly chief executive of 118 118 and has also held senior marketing positions at Orange and Virgin Atlantic.

The Kingfisher spokesman said that the retailer was “strengthening senior management team to take advantage of market opportunities” that include an improving economy and housing market, as well as online.

Kingfisher group chief executive Ian Cheshire said: “Our customers and our market place continue to evolve very quickly and so now more than ever B&Q needs to redouble its efforts to ensure continued success.

Source : Kingfisher and Retail Week
www.kingfisher.com/index.asp?pageid=55&newsid=1020
www.retail-week.com