Kingfisher Appoints Sebastian Gundel as CEO as Thierry Garnier Departs for Ahold Delhaize
Kingfisher PLC Names Sebastian Gundel as Chief Executive Officer from February 1, 2027, Following Thierry Garnier’s Departure to Lead Ahold Delhaize
Kingfisher PLC has appointed Sebastian Gundel as its new Chief Executive Officer, with his appointment set to take effect on February 1, 2027. The London-based home improvement retailer confirmed the leadership change as current CEO Thierry Garnier prepares to leave the company to take up the same role at Ahold Delhaize, the Netherlands-based grocery group.
Garnier will remain in his position at Kingfisher until December 31, 2026. Chief Financial Officer Bhavesh Mistry will serve as interim CEO throughout January 2027 before Gundel assumes the role. The company also confirmed that Chair Claudia Arney will remain in position until the 2029 Annual General Meeting.
Gundel brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the home improvement sector. He previously served as CEO of OBI, a privately owned home improvement retailer based in Wermelskirchen, Germany. Kingfisher highlighted his experience in retail, strategic growth, innovation and operational delivery as key strengths for the company’s next phase of development.
Arney said Gundel’s appointment would build on the progress achieved under Garnier’s leadership while bringing fresh perspectives to the business. She added that the board fully supports him as he leads Kingfisher’s next phase of growth and value creation.
Gundel expressed enthusiasm about Kingfisher’s retail brands, scale and strategic ambitions. He highlighted opportunities across trade, digital platforms, marketplaces, services and new customer propositions as areas for future development and sustainable long-term value creation.
Garnier’s departure follows an announcement in May that he would leave Kingfisher for a senior leadership role outside its markets. Ahold Delhaize subsequently announced his appointment. Garnier led Kingfisher for seven years after spending more than two decades at French retailer Carrefour SA.
