Kingfisher plc has announced the resignation of chief financial officer Karen Witts after six years on the board, to join multinational contract foodservice company, Compass Group plc as group chief financial officer.

The retail giant said its board will conduct a search for a replacement and Ms Witts will remain in her position at Kingfisher to allow a smooth handover of her responsibilities. The date of Karen’s departure will be confirmed in due course but she is set to replace Johnny Thomson at Compass Group, who is standing down from his and will leave by the end of December

Kingfisher CEO Véronique Laury said: “I am very grateful to Karen for the important role she has played in the implementation of Kingfisher’s transformation strategy and look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months. I would also like to thank Karen for all of the support and wise counsel she has given me since joining the Board. I wish her all the best in her new role at Compass.”

The announcement follows news last month that Kingfisher chief offer & supply chain officer Arja Taaveniku is being replaced.