Kingfisher has unveiled a new boss for its B&Q business, appointing Danish businessman Michael Loeve to his first role in the UK.
Loeve replaces highly respected Kevin O’Byrne, who quit the retailer after he was overlooked for the top job at Kingfisher, with Véronique Laury coming in for retiring chief Sir Ian Cheshire.
Loeve joins from Denmark’s Co-operative, where he spent 11 years building up to group retail director responsible for 1200 stores, and will report in to Guy Colleau, head of Kingfisher’s big-box format stores, which include its French Castorama business.
Laury said: “Michael is an experienced retailer who will form an important part of the new diverse international team we are putting together at Kingfisher.”
The firm is aiming to be more unified, rather than working on a country-by-country basis, so Loeve’s role is expected to be less influential than O’Byrne’s.
His appointment comes as the John Lewis Partnership unveiled its new finance director. Patrick Lewis, managing director of Partnership services, replaces Helen Weir, who is now Marks & Spencer finance chief.
