Robertson to head online DIY division at Kingfisher

Kingfisher has promoted Stephen Robertson, marketing director of its DIY chain B&Q, to managing director of its online DIY division.

The move is part of a restructure aimed at preparing Kingfisher for an expansion of its e-tailing operations. Last week the group unveiled a new company, e-Kingfisher, to look after its online interests. The group forecast that online sales would rise from their current £40m level to £1.5bn by 2004.

B&Q director of marketing Mark Beeley will take full responsibility for its marketing, reporting to B&Q managing director Martin Toogood. Robertson will continue to be the highest placed marketer at B&Q, retaining a place on the board.

Robertson, who joined the retail group in 1993, will be responsible for DIY.com and Screwfix.co.uk in the UK as well as Kingfisher’s French online DIY venture, Castorama.fr.

He will also oversee the launch of a B&Q transactional website to be launched by next spring and move the group’s DIY mail-order business, Screwfix Direct, into France by 2001. Robertson will report to Ian Cheshire, managing director of e-Kingfisher.

Robertson says: “The plan is to leverage the B&Q brand to create a multi-channel offer.”