Kingfisher appoints corporate responsibility director

Folland took up the position as group corporate affairs director for the DIY retailer today.

He was previously Kingfisher’s legal and corporate responsibility director and a board member of B&Q. He will report directly to group chief executive Ian Cheshire.

Folland will lead Kingfisher’s Net Positive strategy which aims to create a net positive impact on the environment over the next 10-20 years.

Net Positive is part of the Creating the Leader strategy, outlined in March, and aims to exceed goals set by other retailers to become carbon neutral.

The new role has been created ”in order to give a clear sense of leadership and purpose to the Net Positive initiative,” the retailer said.  

Kingfisher-owned DIY giant B&Q won the Oracle Retail Week Awards gong for the Hitachi Consulting Responsible Retailer of the Year this year.    

Kingfisher group chief executive Ian Cheshire said: “Zero is no longer enough. We believe that we can make a real Net Positive difference across our business and the communities and environments we work with. I’m delighted that Nick has accepted this role.”

Folland said: “Net Positive is a ground-breaking concept and I am very excited about driving it forward across our businesses.

“Kingfisher has a strong heritage in corporate responsibility and Net Positive builds on these foundations by taking how we do business to the next level.”