MFI names marketing supremo

Troubled kitchen, bathroom and furniture company MFI has promoted consultant Paul Jackson to marketing director, responsible for external and internal communications.

He takes over these duties from commercial director Steven Round, who has been appointed managing director of Hygena Cuisines, MFI’s French retail operation. Former director of merchandising and brand Jon Rosby takes on responsibility for sales promotion and pricing in his new role as commercial director.

Both Rosby and Jackson report to MFI UK executive director Mark Horgan, who oversees commercial strategy, marketing and financial services.

Holding company MFI Furniture Group has become the subject of bid speculation, with some reports suggesting that the group’s Howden building materials division had caught the eye of Kingfisher and others talking of a possible management buy-out with private equity backing.

In July, the company unveiled a decline in pre-tax profits for the 24 weeks to June 12. The company made &£32.1m, compared with &£59.3m in the same period the previous year. A profits warning followed in September, with MFI blaming difficulties in the UK retail business, where orders fell and new systems disrupted the supply chain.