Our leadership

Skills and experience:

Jeff brings substantial international finance experience to the Board, particularly within the consumer and retail sectors. Until the end of March 2024, Jeff served as CFO of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, a British multinational consumer goods company with operations in over 60 countries and a large number of globally trusted household brands and products. Jeff also held an executive finance role with Reckitt earlier in his career. Prior to joining Reckitt, Jeff was CFO of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (Ahold Delhaize), one of the world’s largest retail groups. Jeff was also previously group finance director at both FirstGroup plc and easyJet plc, and held a senior finance role at Associated British Foods plc, as well as a non-executive director role at McBride plc.

External appointments:

Jeff is a non-executive director of Tate and Lyle plc.

Appointed:

June 2018

Skills and experience:

Catherine provides substantial expertise to the Board in the field of finance, risk management and corporate governance, having previously been a non-executive director of the Financial Conduct Authority, the UK financial regulator, where she chaired its audit committee. Catherine also served as a non-executive director of abrdn plc until April 2024 and as an independent member of the supervisory board of PEUGEOT S.A. where she chaired its finance and audit committee. Prior to embarking on her non-executive career, Catherine had a 30-year career in investment banking based in the US, the UK and Asia. She has French and British citizenship and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in June 2019.

External appointments:

Catherine is a non-executive director of easyJet plc where she chairs its finance committee. She is also currently a non-executive director and chair of the nomination and corporate governance committee at Johnson Electric Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong listed company. Catherine also serves as chair of Interactive Investor Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of abrdn plc.

Appointed:

November 2020

Representative to the Kingfisher Colleague Forum:

From June 2022

Skills and experience:

Rakhi is an experienced non-executive director, with expertise in digital retailing, strategy, analytics, and operational execution. She spent 12 years at Amazon in various senior leadership positions running many of Amazon’s key categories, including high growth, mature and digital categories, in addition to being responsible for pricing across the UK. Prior to joining Amazon, Rakhi held roles at TomTom and in management consultancy in the United States. She was previously a non-executive director of Intu Properties plc and Rightmove plc.

External appointments:

Rakhi is a non-executive director of Schroders plc. She is also a non-executive director of Trainline plc where she chairs the remuneration committee. 

Appointed:

February 2016

Skills and experience:

Bill brings substantial industry experience to the Board, having spent 26 years at The Home Depot, Inc., the largest home improvement company in the world, where he had an outstanding track record of delivery supporting their remarkable growth during this period. Bill was most recently executive vice president, outside sales and services at Home Depot and retired in 2021. During his time there, he held many senior leadership roles including president, Canada and senior vice president, international merchandising, private brands, and global sourcing. Bill has a deep knowledge of merchandising and global sourcing, and experience in developing successful trade and services strategies. Before his time at Home Depot, Bill was merchandising manager for Lowe’s Companies Inc. and millwork plant manager for Menards Inc.

External appointments:

None.

Appointed:

May 2022

Skills and experience:

Lucinda is a highly experienced non-executive director, having served in several roles as board chair and remuneration committee chair across multiple sectors. Prior to becoming a non-executive director, Lucinda had an executive career in investment banking at UBS where she was Global Head of Equity Capital Markets and a member of the board of UBS Investment Bank. Her previous non-executive director roles include CRH plc, ICG Enterprise Trust plc, the British Standards Institution, Diverse Income Trust plc and UK Financial Investments Ltd. 

External appointments:

Lucinda is currently the independent non-executive chair of Greencoat UK Wind plc and Peel Hunt Limited. She is also a non-executive director of Ashtead Group plc, where she chairs the remuneration committee.

Appointed:

January 2025

Skills and experience:

Rakhi is an experienced non-executive director, with expertise in digital retailing, strategy, analytics, and operational execution. She spent 12 years at Amazon in various senior leadership positions running many of Amazon’s key categories, including high growth, mature and digital categories, in addition to being responsible for pricing across the UK. Prior to joining Amazon, Rakhi held roles at TomTom and in management consultancy in the United States. She was previously a non-executive director of Intu Properties plc and Rightmove plc.

External appointments:

Rakhi is a non-executive director of Schroders plc. She is also a non-executive director of Trainline plc where she chairs the remuneration committee. 

Appointed:

February 2016

Skills and experience:

Catherine provides substantial expertise to the Board in the field of finance, risk management and corporate governance, having previously been a non-executive director of the Financial Conduct Authority, the UK financial regulator, where she chaired its audit committee. Catherine also served as a non-executive director of abrdn plc until April 2024 and as an independent member of the supervisory board of PEUGEOT S.A. where she chaired its finance and audit committee. Prior to embarking on her non-executive career, Catherine had a 30-year career in investment banking based in the US, the UK and Asia. She has French and British citizenship and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in June 2019.

External appointments:

Catherine is a non-executive director of easyJet plc where she chairs its finance committee. She is also currently a non-executive director and chair of the nomination and corporate governance committee at Johnson Electric Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong listed company. Catherine also serves as chair of Interactive Investor Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of abrdn plc.

Appointed:

November 2020

Representative to the Kingfisher Colleague Forum:

From June 2022

Skills and experience:

Jeff brings substantial international finance experience to the Board, particularly within the consumer and retail sectors. Until the end of March 2024, Jeff served as CFO of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, a British multinational consumer goods company with operations in over 60 countries and a large number of globally trusted household brands and products. Jeff also held an executive finance role with Reckitt earlier in his career. Prior to joining Reckitt, Jeff was CFO of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (Ahold Delhaize), one of the world’s largest retail groups. Jeff was also previously group finance director at both FirstGroup plc and easyJet plc, and held a senior finance role at Associated British Foods plc, as well as a non-executive director role at McBride plc.

External appointments:

Jeff is a non-executive director of Tate and Lyle plc.

Appointed:

June 2018

Skills and experience:

Sophie brings to the Board expertise in strategy, brand and international retail markets as well as substantial experience in business transformation and digital capabilities, having held a number of senior leadership positions at L’Oréal, including managing director of L’Oréal UK & Ireland, and executive chair and global chief executive officer of The Body Shop, as well as 12 years as non-executive director at Accor where she chaired the Nominations, Remunerations and CSR Committee.

External appointments:

Sophie is a senior advisor at the Boston Consulting Group. She is also a non-executive director of Givaudan S.A., an independent director of Société Anonyme de Participation et de Gestion (SPDG) and a non-executive director of Cimpress plc, a NASDAQ-listed technology company.

Appointed:

December 2018

Skills and experience:

Lucinda is a highly experienced non-executive director, having served in several roles as board chair and remuneration committee chair across multiple sectors. Prior to becoming a non-executive director, Lucinda had an executive career in investment banking at UBS where she was Global Head of Equity Capital Markets and a member of the board of UBS Investment Bank. Her previous non-executive director roles include CRH plc, ICG Enterprise Trust plc, the British Standards Institution, Diverse Income Trust plc and UK Financial Investments Ltd. 

External appointments:

Lucinda is currently the independent non-executive chair of Greencoat UK Wind plc and Peel Hunt Limited. She is also a non-executive director of Ashtead Group plc, where she chairs the remuneration committee.

Appointed:

January 2025

Skills and experience:

Claudia brings a wealth of experience of business transformation and building digital capabilities to the Board having previously held non-executive roles, including interim chair of the Premier League, senior independent director of Telecity Group plc, chair of the remuneration committee at Halfords plc, non-executive director at Ocado Group plc, and governance committee chair at Aviva plc. Claudia also served as non-executive director and remuneration committee chair at Derwent London plc until May 2024. Claudia began her career at McKinsey & Company, before holding roles at Pearson, the Financial Times, Goldman Sachs, and HM Treasury. She was also group managing director, digital at EMAP. 

External appointments:

Claudia is currently chair of Deliveroo plc. Claudia also serves as a member of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers and is the lead non-executive board member for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Appointed:

November 2018

Skills and experience:

Catherine provides substantial expertise to the Board in the field of finance, risk management and corporate governance, having previously been a non-executive director of the Financial Conduct Authority, the UK financial regulator, where she chaired its audit committee. Catherine also served as a non-executive director of abrdn plc until April 2024 and as an independent member of the supervisory board of PEUGEOT S.A. where she chaired its finance and audit committee. Prior to embarking on her non-executive career, Catherine had a 30-year career in investment banking based in the US, the UK and Asia. She has French and British citizenship and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in June 2019.

External appointments:

Catherine is a non-executive director of easyJet plc where she chairs its finance committee. She is also currently a non-executive director and chair of the nomination and corporate governance committee at Johnson Electric Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong listed company. Catherine also serves as chair of Interactive Investor Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of abrdn plc.

Appointed:

November 2020

Representative to the Kingfisher Colleague Forum:

From June 2022

Skills and experience:

Jeff brings substantial international finance experience to the Board, particularly within the consumer and retail sectors. Until the end of March 2024, Jeff served as CFO of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, a British multinational consumer goods company with operations in over 60 countries and a large number of globally trusted household brands and products. Jeff also held an executive finance role with Reckitt earlier in his career. Prior to joining Reckitt, Jeff was CFO of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (Ahold Delhaize), one of the world’s largest retail groups. Jeff was also previously group finance director at both FirstGroup plc and easyJet plc, and held a senior finance role at Associated British Foods plc, as well as a non-executive director role at McBride plc.

External appointments:

Jeff is a non-executive director of Tate and Lyle plc.

Appointed:

June 2018

Skills and experience:

Sophie brings to the Board expertise in strategy, brand and international retail markets as well as substantial experience in business transformation and digital capabilities, having held a number of senior leadership positions at L’Oréal, including managing director of L’Oréal UK & Ireland, and executive chair and global chief executive officer of The Body Shop, as well as 12 years as non-executive director at Accor where she chaired the Nominations, Remunerations and CSR Committee.

External appointments:

Sophie is a senior advisor at the Boston Consulting Group. She is also a non-executive director of Givaudan S.A., an independent director of Société Anonyme de Participation et de Gestion (SPDG) and a non-executive director of Cimpress plc, a NASDAQ-listed technology company.

Appointed:

December 2018

Skills and experience:

Rakhi is an experienced non-executive director, with expertise in digital retailing, strategy, analytics, and operational execution. She spent 12 years at Amazon in various senior leadership positions running many of Amazon’s key categories, including high growth, mature and digital categories, in addition to being responsible for pricing across the UK. Prior to joining Amazon, Rakhi held roles at TomTom and in management consultancy in the United States. She was previously a non-executive director of Intu Properties plc and Rightmove plc.

External appointments:

Rakhi is a non-executive director of Schroders plc. She is also a non-executive director of Trainline plc where she chairs the remuneration committee. 

Appointed:

February 2016

Skills and experience:

Bill brings substantial industry experience to the Board, having spent 26 years at The Home Depot, Inc., the largest home improvement company in the world, where he had an outstanding track record of delivery supporting their remarkable growth during this period. Bill was most recently executive vice president, outside sales and services at Home Depot and retired in 2021. During his time there, he held many senior leadership roles including president, Canada and senior vice president, international merchandising, private brands, and global sourcing. Bill has a deep knowledge of merchandising and global sourcing, and experience in developing successful trade and services strategies. Before his time at Home Depot, Bill was merchandising manager for Lowe’s Companies Inc. and millwork plant manager for Menards Inc.

External appointments:

None.

Appointed:

May 2022

Skills and experience:

Lucinda is a highly experienced non-executive director, having served in several roles as board chair and remuneration committee chair across multiple sectors. Prior to becoming a non-executive director, Lucinda had an executive career in investment banking at UBS where she was Global Head of Equity Capital Markets and a member of the board of UBS Investment Bank. Her previous non-executive director roles include CRH plc, ICG Enterprise Trust plc, the British Standards Institution, Diverse Income Trust plc and UK Financial Investments Ltd. 

External appointments:

Lucinda is currently the independent non-executive chair of Greencoat UK Wind plc and Peel Hunt Limited. She is also a non-executive director of Ashtead Group plc, where she chairs the remuneration committee.

Appointed:

January 2025

Skills and experience:

lan has over 40 years retail experience including 20 years in CEO positions leading multi-billion dollar publicly traded or private equity-owned companies around the world, developing specialist expertise in leading business transformation and change management programmes globally.

lan’s leadership and board experience includes businesses such as Asda and Halfords in the UK, Walmart International as well as Carrefour in the Middle East. His CEO roles include Coles Retail Group in Australia, Southeastern Grocers in the United States and more recently the DFI Retail Group based in Hong Kong with stores across 13 Asian markets, including key market franchises for IKEA, 7-Eleven and Starbucks. In 2010, lan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in his native Scotland for his contributions to business and retail.

External appointments:

Ian is an operating partner with Quadria Capital, a private equity firm specialising in healthcare business investments.

Appointed:

January 2025

Skills and experience:

Sophie brings to the Board expertise in strategy, brand and international retail markets as well as substantial experience in business transformation and digital capabilities, having held a number of senior leadership positions at L’Oréal, including managing director of L’Oréal UK & Ireland, and executive chair and global chief executive officer of The Body Shop, as well as 12 years as non-executive director at Accor where she chaired the Nominations, Remunerations and CSR Committee.

External appointments:

Sophie is a senior advisor at the Boston Consulting Group. She is also a non-executive director of Givaudan S.A., an independent director of Société Anonyme de Participation et de Gestion (SPDG) and a non-executive director of Cimpress plc, a NASDAQ-listed technology company.

Appointed:

December 2018

Skills and experience:

Thierry spent 20 years in senior roles at Carrefour, the French multi-national retailer. Before joining Kingfisher, he was a member of the Carrefour group executive committee and CEO of Carrefour Asia. From 2003 to 2008, Thierry was the managing director of Supermarkets for Carrefour France. Following his success in this role he became CEO of Carrefour International and a member of the group executive committee in 2008, where he became responsible for operations in Asia, Latin America and various European countries. In 2016, Thierry was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (France).

External appointments:

Thierry is a non-executive director of Tesco plc and the president of EDRA/GHIN, the European DIY Retail Association and the Global Home Improvement Network. 

Appointed:

September 2019

Skills and experience:

Rakhi is an experienced non-executive director, with expertise in digital retailing, strategy, analytics, and operational execution. She spent 12 years at Amazon in various senior leadership positions running many of Amazon’s key categories, including high growth, mature and digital categories, in addition to being responsible for pricing across the UK. Prior to joining Amazon, Rakhi held roles at TomTom and in management consultancy in the United States. She was previously a non-executive director of Intu Properties plc and Rightmove plc.

External appointments:

Rakhi is a non-executive director of Schroders plc. She is also a non-executive director of Trainline plc where she chairs the remuneration committee. 

Appointed:

February 2016

Skills and experience:

Lucinda is a highly experienced non-executive director, having served in several roles as board chair and remuneration committee chair across multiple sectors. Prior to becoming a non-executive director, Lucinda had an executive career in investment banking at UBS where she was Global Head of Equity Capital Markets and a member of the board of UBS Investment Bank. Her previous non-executive director roles include CRH plc, ICG Enterprise Trust plc, the British Standards Institution, Diverse Income Trust plc and UK Financial Investments Ltd. 

External appointments:

Lucinda is currently the independent non-executive chair of Greencoat UK Wind plc and Peel Hunt Limited. She is also a non-executive director of Ashtead Group plc, where she chairs the remuneration committee.

Appointed:

January 2025

Expertise and experience: 

Kate is an experienced professional with a breadth of retail and transformation skills, built on an international career in human resources. Kate joined Kingfisher from Costa Coffee, the coffeehouse chain owned by Coca-Cola, where she was Chief People Officer. Kate led Costa’s global people strategy, with a focus on building the right organisation and capabilities to drive change and support the business’ growth plans. Before this she also held senior HR roles at Diageo and Shell.

Appointed: 

February 2020

Experience and expertise:

Henri has been at Kingfisher for 12 years, during which he has held several senior leadership positions across the business, starting as Commercial Director for Castorama. More recently, within Kingfisher, he played a key role in establishing the Offer and Supply Chain division, developing a successful offer on Bathroom and Storage, with great products that demonstrated the sales potential of unique design and affordable prices. In his current role as Chief Offer and Sourcing Officer, Herni is leading the offer strategy, with a strong focus on own and exclusive brands reaching customer expectations and providing strong differentiation for Kingfisher.

Appointed:

2018 (joined 2007)

Experience and Expertise:

John is an experienced retailer who has been instrumental in Screwfix’s growth, having joined 11 years ago as marketing and ecommerce director. John has also served as Group Digital Director at Kingfisher, helping to implement Screwfix’s technology expertise across the business and retail brands, before returning to Screwfix as CEO in October 2018. Prior to his time at Kingfisher, John worked for Dixons Carphone across various roles, including operations, commercial and marketing, for more than 20 years.

Appointed:

2018 (joined 2008)

Skills and experience:

Thierry spent 20 years in senior roles at Carrefour, the French multi-national retailer. Before joining Kingfisher, he was a member of the Carrefour group executive committee and CEO of Carrefour Asia. From 2003 to 2008, Thierry was the managing director of Supermarkets for Carrefour France. Following his success in this role he became CEO of Carrefour International and a member of the group executive committee in 2008, where he became responsible for operations in Asia, Latin America and various European countries. In 2016, Thierry was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (France).

External appointments:

Thierry is a non-executive director of Tesco plc and the president of EDRA/GHIN, the European DIY Retail Association and the Global Home Improvement Network. 

Appointed:

September 2019

Expertise and Experience:

Graham has spent over 20 years at Kingfisher, during which time he has held several senior roles across the business. As CEO of Screwfix, he oversaw the significant expansion of its store network across the UK. Prior to that, Graham led Screwfix’s operations and property for 10 years as Property Director. His previous roles at B&Q include Property Director and HR Director. Graham took accountability for the Group Centres of Excellence for Store Concepts and Services, Trade and Property in April 2024. 

Appointed:

2018 (joined 1998)

Expertise and Experience:

Chris is an experienced technologist, having held positions in various industry sectors, managing worldwide Product, Engineering, and Technology departments. Before joining Kingfisher, Chris served as the Chief Technology Officer for Research Products at RELX Elsevier and was part of Thomson Reuters R&D Labs in Switzerland, focusing on the application of innovative technology.

Appointed:

April 2024

Expertise and Experience:

Sapna is an experienced General Counsel with an international career across multiple sectors, including FMCG, consumer health and pharmaceuticals. Sapna joined Kingfisher from Reckitt, where she was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the company's global Health business and held responsibility for material litigation and investigations on a Group-wide basis. She previously held various other senior legal positions at Reckitt and at AstraZeneca, following several years at the law firm Davis Polk in London and New York specialising in global mergers and acquisitions and other complex transactions. She is dual qualified in England and Wales and New York State. 

External Appointments:

Sapna is a Board Trustee and Chair of the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee at UK homelessness charity Crisis. 

Appointed:

October 2023

Expertise and Experience:

Pascal has been part of Kingfisher Group since 2003, where he started his career as a Store Manager in Castorama France. Prior to joining the Kingfisher Group, Pascal spent eight years at Decathlon France. In 2008 Pascal joined Brico Dépôt Iberia as Operations Director, and later became CEO. In 2015, Pascal took the position of Retail Operations Director at Brico Dépôt France and in June 2020, he became the CEO.

Pascal was appointed as CEO of Castorama Poland in April 2022 and following his success in leading Brico Dépôt in France and Castorama Poland, Pascal was appointed CEO of Castorama France in April 2024. 

Appointed:

April 2022 (joined 2003)

Experience and Expertise:

John is an experienced retailer who has been instrumental in Screwfix’s growth, having joined 11 years ago as marketing and ecommerce director. John has also served as Group Digital Director at Kingfisher, helping to implement Screwfix’s technology expertise across the business and retail brands, before returning to Screwfix as CEO in October 2018. Prior to his time at Kingfisher, John worked for Dixons Carphone across various roles, including operations, commercial and marketing, for more than 20 years. John Mewett assumed GE responsibility for Iberia in April 2024, supporting Iberia CEO Chris Bargate.

Appointed:

2018 (joined 2008)

Skills and experience:

Bhavesh brings extensive finance and retail experience gained in senior roles across a range of listed businesses. He was previously CFO of British Land, where he served in the role from 2021-2024, and was Deputy CFO of Tesco from 2018 to 2021. Before that he held senior finance positions over more than two decades at a range of major companies including Whitbread, Virgin Media and Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Appointed:

January 2025

Expertise and experience: 

Kate is an experienced professional with a breadth of retail and transformation skills, built on an international career in human resources. Kate joined Kingfisher from Costa Coffee, the coffeehouse chain owned by Coca-Cola, where she was Chief People Officer. Kate led Costa’s global people strategy, with a focus on building the right organisation and capabilities to drive change and support the business’ growth plans. Before this she also held senior HR roles at Diageo and Shell.

Appointed: 

February 2020

Expertise and Experience:

Adela is highly experienced in home improvement retailing. She joined Kingfisher in 2015 as Finance Director for Brico Dépôt Romania and was appointed as CEO of Romania in 2017. Prior to joining Kingfisher, Adela spent eight years at Obi, the international home improvement retailer, in Romania, where she was Director of Finance and Administration. She previously spent four years in finance roles at United Technologies in France and six years at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Romania.

Appointed:

2015

Experience and expertise:

Henri has been at Kingfisher for 12 years, during which he has held several senior leadership positions across the business, starting as Commercial Director for Castorama. More recently, within Kingfisher, he played a key role in establishing the Offer and Supply Chain division, developing a successful offer on Bathroom and Storage, with great products that demonstrated the sales potential of unique design and affordable prices. In his current role as Chief Offer and Sourcing Officer, Henri is leading the offer strategy, with a strong focus on own and exclusive brands reaching customer expectations and providing strong differentiation for Kingfisher. Henri assumed accountability for Customer and Market Intelligence in April 2024.

Appointed:

2018 (joined 2007)

Experience and expertise:

Nils brings extensive retail experience, having most recently served as CEO of Decathlon Poland. He has held a number of senior leadership roles at Decathlon over two decades across both Europe and Asia, including CEO of Decathlon Bulgaria, Managing Director of Decathlon Singapore and senior finance positions in Decathlon Asia and Decathlon Europe.

Appointed:

September 2024

Experience and expertise:

Laurent has two decades of experience in the home improvement sector. He started his career at Saint Gobain (Lapeyre) where he rose to become Category Director for Kitchens. In 2010 Laurent joined the Kingfisher Group and Brico Dépôt France as Category Director for Building, followed by the Kitchen, Bathroom and Storage (KBS) and Surfaces & Décor categories. In 2014 Laurent was appointed General Manager of Kingfisher’s Hong Kong office, managing all Kingfisher’s sourcing activities in China and Southeast Asia. In 2016, Laurent joined the Offer and Sourcing team in London, becoming Group Category Director in charge of the KBS category. From 2020 Laurent was appointed as Group Global Sourcing Director, leading all sourcing activities, product development and packaging teams. In March 2022 he was appointed CEO of Brico Dépôt France.

Appointed:

September 2024

Expertise and Experience:

Chloe joined Kingfisher in January 2019 as Deputy Company Secretary. Chloe started her company secretarial career at PWC and has since held a number of company secretarial roles at leading FTSE 100 companies, including BG Group, Centrica, Intercontinental Hotels Group and Electrocomponents. Most recently, Chloe was Group Company Secretary of Sophos Group plc a FTSE 250 company specialising in security software and hardware.

External appointments:

Chloe is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute. 

Appointed:

December 2021