DIY giant B&Q has strengthened its board with two new appointments including the permanent hire of former M&M Direct boss Steve Robinson, who joined the business on an interim basis this year.

As revealed by Retail-Week in February, Robinson initially joined the business as its interim multichannel director but now joins the board on a permanent basis as customer director reporting to chief executive Martyn Phillips. 

It is a new role that will bring together the omni channel team, customer insight, store formats, pricing and promotions. B&Q said it has been created to “help the business become a true omni channel retailer and ensure that the customer has real authority across the business”.

Elsewhere Ebru Sayilan has been promoted to the role of commercial director for seasonal and decorative.  Ebru joined B&Q from Kingfisher’s Koctas business in Turkey three years ago and has been with Kingfisher for 11 years.

Ebru will work alongside Ian Herrett who adds building to his portfolio as commercial director for building, showroom (kitchen bedroom and bathroom) installations and TradePoint. 

The commercial appointments follow Veronique Laury’s return to France to take on a group Kingfisher role. 

Katherine Paterson will now also be charged with “bringing our new group wide own brands to life” alongside her current remit as marketing director, B&Q said. Kingfisher’s own brand offer is a key plank in the group’s quest for growth.

Chris Ward, who is currently supply chain director, will head a new business transformation team, as part of Kingfisher’s Creating the Leader strategy.

The other roles on the Board – Retail (Damian McGloughlin), People (Fraser Longden) and Finance (James Skelton), remain broadly unchanged.

Phillips said: “The changes move us closer towards an organisation that will enable us to be the company we need to be in the future; a more customer focused, differentiated, omni channel retailer that is organised to deliver the B&Q element of Kingfisher’s Creating the Leader strategy.”

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