B&Q boss made director of Co-op’s food board

THE chief executive of Kingfisher has been made an independent director of one of the Co-operative Group’s subsidiary boards.

Euan Sutherland is currently responsible for the B&Q, Screw Fix and TradePoint operations in his role at Kingfisher.

He is among four appointments which have been made by the Manchester-based group which has resulted from a review of the its governance.

Mr Sutherland – who is a former managing director of Superdrug – has been appointed to the Co-operative’s food subsidiary board.

He is joined on this board by John Longworth who is a director of private equity, scientific and professional services firm, SVA.

Mr Longworth is a former board director of both Tesco and Asda and spent eight years working for the Co-operative Group – latterly as assistant secretary and head of trade affairs.

Penny Coates – managing director of East Midlands Airport and a member of the Manchester Airport Group Board with group wide responsibility for sustainability and regional airports – has been appointed to the Co-operative’s ‘specialist business subsidiary board’.

She brings manufacturing experience gained with Mars and Pepsico and extensive retail experience at senior level with Asda and Boots. 

She is joined on this board by Mike Cutt who has worked as group human resources director at Boots, B&Q and latterly Thomas Cook. 

The chair of the Co-operative Group Board, Len Wardle, said:  “We are delighted to welcome these seasoned professionals who will bring to us a wealth of experience operating at very senior levels within some of the UK’s biggest and most well known businesses.

“They will bring invaluable independent advice to the group and its diverse businesses as we continue to build on our successes as a major force in UK retailing.” 

The four were recruited with assistance from executive search company Warren Partners.