Philippe Tible, ceo of the Castorama and Brico Dépôt brands, is to step down from parent Kingfisher's board at the end of July.
He will also step down as a member of the group executive team but remain with the business until the end of the current financial year to help with the negotiations to acquire Mr Bricolage.

Meanwhile, Véronique Laury, ceo of Castorama France, and Alain Souillard, ceo of the Brico Dépôt brand in France, Spain, Romania and Portugal, will be promoted to the group executive team as of July 1. In addition to the main board, this team is responsible for the strategic decision-making of the group.

Kingfisher chairman Daniel Bernard said: "We have a number of significant developments currently underway in France, including the roll-out of the Castorama Do it Smart store format, the expansion of the Brico Dépôt business in France and into other European markets and, most recently, the announcement that Kingfisher is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Mr Bricolage.

"As we enter a new phase of our development, it is clear that the business needs the next generation of leaders to oversee these plans and so, as a result, Philippe will step down.

"On behalf of the Kingfisher board I would like to thank him for his very significant contribution over the years and wish him well with his remaining time at Kingfisher and for the future."