Kingfisher completes executive team with new appointments
Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, has completed its group executive team by appointing Kate Seljeflot as chief people officer.
Seljeflot will join the company from Costa Coffee where she holds the same role.
Before joining Costa in 2016, she spent 14 years at Diageo where her most recent role was global talent director. Whilst there, she led all aspects of Diageo’s talent strategy, including its approach to diversity and inclusion.
In her new position, Seljeflot will be based at Kingfisher’s head office in London’s Paddington. She will join the group on 23 March and will be part of its executive team.
In addition, Kingfisher has announced that Martin Lee and Adela Smeu will also become members of the group executive team.
Lee has been appointed as group chief supply chain officer after successfully covering the role in an interim capacity from last summer. He has spent a total of 25 years working with Kingfisher, although he did spend a period working with other home improvement companies in international supply chain, merchandising, IT and sourcing roles. On his return to Kingfisher in 2015, he led the supply chain at Screwfix and then B&Q.
Meanwhile, Smeu is currently chief executive of Kingfisher’s Romania business. Prior to joining Kingfisher in 2015, Smeu spent eight years at home improvement retailer Obi where she was director of finance and administration.
Thierry Garnier, chief executive of Kingfisher, said: “Building the right group executive team was one of my first priorities when I started in September. I am confident we now have a diverse team with a good mix of Kingfisher experience and other home improvement, retail and service industries, which will find the right balance between the group and local markets. We have much to do and I’m pleased that we now have a strong team in place.”
