Kingfisher’s new boss Thierry Garnier has already started assembling a new top team, appointing Alain Rabec as the Kingfisher France chief executive a day into his new role.
Rabec has spent over 30 years in senior roles at French retail group Carrefour – most recently as executive director of Carrefour Hypermarkets.
He will now be responsible for Kingfisher’s Castorama and Brico Dépôt businesses, which boast over 200 stores and 20,000 colleagues.
The appointment comes a day after fellow former Carrefour executive Garnier officially started his role as Kingfisher’s new chief executive after Véronique Laury stepped down.
Garnier said: “I am delighted to welcome Alain to Kingfisher. He is one of the most experienced and respected retailers in France and will bring a wealth of deep operational experience to Kingfisher.
“His knowledge of the French retail market is second to none. I am looking forward to working with him.”
Rabec said: “Castorama and Brico Dépôt are businesses with great potential and many growth opportunities ahead in an attractive market. I look forward to working with the teams to build on that platform and deliver an outstanding offer for customers.”
Rabec will replace the current Kingfisher France chief executive Christian Mazauric on October 1.
Kingfisher said Mazauric is stepping down to take time out to recover from an operation but is set to re-join the company in the future in a different role which is currently undecided.
Garnier is set to strengthen the Kingfisher executive team as a first priority as new boss of the struggling home & DIY retailer following a mass leadership exodus over the past two years.
Finance boss Karen Witts, supply chain director Arja Taaveniku, chief customer officer Pierre Woreczek, chief people officer Alastair Robertson and the most recent departure, chief trading officer John Colley, all recently left the business.
Kingfisher is also recruiting for a chief financial officer and chief people officer with announcements imminent.
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