After 12 years away from B&Q owner Kingfisher, Belgian born Van Oosten, known as JJ to his friends and colleagues, has returned to the company, now led by chief executive Thierry Garnier.

With previous executive experience at Tesco, builders’ merchant Travis Perkins and luxury goods giant Richemont as well as Lego – and with a PhD in molecular genetics and an MBA from London Business School – he should bring a wealth of knowledge that Kingfisher urgently needs. 

Following a difficult few years for Kingfisher, Garnier has been on a hiring spree to bolster his top team and dig the struggling DIY retailer out of the hole it’s in. Van Oosten is expected to play a key role.