Former Coles chief executive to join Kingfisher board

Kingfisher has announced the appointment of former Coles CEO in Australia, Ian McLeod, to its board of directors as a non-executive director, effective from 20 January. 

A retail executive with over 40 years of experience across various different international markets, he most recently served as group chief executive at DFI Retail Group where he oversaw operations across 13 countries in Asia with over 10,500 retail outlets. 

McLeod’s career also included leadership roles at Asda and Halfords Group in the UK and Walmart International. 

He later joined Southeastern Grocers in the United States as CEO before joining DFI Retail Group in 2017, based in Hong Kong. 

Additionally, Catherine Bradley CBE, senior independent director, has decided not to stand for reelection and will therefore step down from Kingfisher’s board of directors at the conclusion of the company’s 2025 AGM. 

Bradley has served on Kingfisher’s board for four years, during which time she engaged with colleagues and, in 2024, successfully stewarded an orderly chair succession process. 

She has indicated her desire to reduce her governance portfolio and dedicate additional time to her other roles, including as non-executive chair of Interactive Investor Limited. 

Claudia Arney, chair of Kingfisher’s board, said: “We are delighted to have someone of Ian’s calibre joining our board. His long and distinguished career in retail speaks for itself and the depth of experience that he will bring will help support the execution of our strategic initiatives. We look forward to welcoming Ian later this month and benefiting from the new and valuable perspectives he will bring to the board’s discussions.

“Whilst Catherine will be remaining on the board until our AGM in June 2025, I would like to thank her for her many contributions to the company over the past four years both as senior independent director and as the board representative on the Kingfisher Colleague Forum.”