B&Q creates youth board
B&Q has created a “youth board” to get teenagers’ advice to help tackle the challenges facing the company and to encourage young people to get into business.
The board will hold quarterly meetings, culminating with a presentation to the company’s entire board in July 2012.
The nine-strong group will be monitored by B&Q executives and a team from the Ellen MacArthur foundation, which is working with the retailer on sustainability and providing the next generation of workers with the skills they need to start careers.
Kingfisher, which owns both B&Q and ScrewFix, said earlier this month it plans to create more than 1,200 jobs in the UK – including 230 roles at B&Q – after pre-tax profit increased 24% to £439m in the six months to the end of July. Sales were up 4% to £5.7bn in the period.
Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher chief executive, said when the results were announced earlier this month: “Looking ahead, economic uncertainty throughout Europe is likely to impact consumer confidence, meaning conditions will remain challenging for retailers.”
Tesco has also created a children’s advisory board to shape the direction of its Tesco for Schools & Clubs programme.
