Kingfisher plc today announces the appointment of Daniel Bernard as Non-Executive Deputy Chairman. M. Bernard, 60, was Chairman and Chief Executive of Carrefour, the Paris-based retail group and worlds second largest retailer, from 1992-2005.
As Chairman and Chief Executive of Carrefour, Daniel Bernard led the development of Carrefour into a global retail group with more than 10,000 stores in 30 countries. Prior to Carrefour, he was Chief Operating Officer of METRO, Germanys leading international retailer. He is now President of Provestis, his own investment company and a non-executive director of Alcatel, Cap Gemini and Compagnie de St Gobain for which he will not ask the renewal of his directorship at its AGM on 8th June this year.
M. Bernard will join the Kingfisher Board as a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chairman following its AGM on 24th May 2006. Until May 2007, he will share the position of Deputy Chairman with John Nelson who will then step down from that role but will continue as Kingfishers Senior Independent Director.
Peter Jackson, who will become Chairman of Kingfisher after the AGM on 24th May 2006, said: I am delighted to welcome Daniel Bernard to the Kingfisher Board. He brings a wealth of retailing and management experience from two of the worlds largest retail groups. His international background will be of particular benefit to Kingfisher.
Daniel Bernard said: Kingfisher is a remarkable group, an international leader in a very interesting business and I am delighted at the prospect of working with Peter and Gerry at a very exciting time in the Groups development in Europe and Asia.
Gerry Murphy, Group Chief Executive, said: Daniel Bernard is one of the worlds outstanding international retailers and I am looking forward to working with him and Peter Jackson as we continue to grow and develop our business around the world. Daniels record in international retailing is second to none and I am certain he will make a uniquely valuable contribution to the Kingfisher Board.
Source: Kingfisher
