Chic Frenchwoman Véronique Laury may not look like a traditional DIY retailer, but few know as much about the sector as her.

Veronique Laury will become the new chief executive of DIY group Kingfisher

Laury, who was today revealed as Kingfisher boss Sir Ian Cheshire’s replacement when he steps down in the next five months, has worked in home improvement for 26 years.

Career history

2013 to date Chief Executive, Castorama, France

2012-13 Commercial strategy director, Brico Depot and Castorama brands

2010-12 Commercial director, B&Q UK

2009-10 Group commercial director

2006-09 Commercial director, Castorama France

2003-06 Product director, Castorama France

2001-03 CEO, Forestyl – Garden Max

She joined Kingfisher in 2003 and has held several roles in the business. Last year she became chief executive of Castorama France, one of the DIY group’s largest divisions with 103 stores and £2.4bn sales.

It is notable that Kingfisher has opted to take someone from its business in France to be its next leader. The French operation is more profitable than the UK despite having lower sales. And Kingfisher is expected to be further boosted by the proposed acquisition of French retailer Mr Bricolage.

Laury’s expertise in the French market will no doubt help with any integration work that will be needed between the two businesses.

Cheshire is a great admirer of Laury and has often sung her praises. Cool, composed and stylish, she has helped Castorama become an innovator.

From customer experience to in-store technology, the retailer has set the standard across the Kingfisher group. It has adopted ‘dynamic’ electronic shelf-edge pricing in its stores to allow it to change prices easily, which Cheshire says he hopes to bring to the UK.

It is no surprise that Kingfisher’s first innovation conference was held in France last year.

Castorama has also benefited from its ‘Do It Smart’ approach, designed to make home improvement easier for customers.

Although she only took the top job at Castorama last year, Laury has been a key architect of the retailer’s success from her time as commercial director of both the eponymous chain and stablemate Brico Depot. She helped launch Castorama’s new ranges, its merchandising approach and its new store format.

Shareholders will hope that she can bring Gallic flair to the rest of the business. However, Laury has more than just experience of the French market.

She spent two years as B&Q’s commercial director between 2010 and 2012 where she helped launch its own-brand ranges. She has an eye for product – in fact, she started her career at Castorama as product director following a stint as chief executive of French DIY distributor Forestyl Garden Max.

By taking on the Kingfisher chief executive’s role, Laury will become just the fifth woman to lead a FTSE 100 company.

The industry will watch to see if the polished Frenchwoman can pull off an orange B&Q apron as well as Cheshire does.

Age: 49

Education: Politics & law at the Institut de Sciences Politiques in Paris.

Family: 3 children; 1 girl, 2 boys.

Hobbies/interests: Horse riding, including jumping competitions. She has a passion for home renovation, and has completely renovated three homes.