Guinness's Breene joins Kingfisher

KINGFISHER, the retail group that owns Woolworths, B&Q and Comet, has recruited Tim Breene from Guinness to be its strategy and international development director.

Mr Breene was marketing director for global operations at United Distillers, Guinness's spirits arm, and has also worked at Unilever, Mars and McKinsey.

He will take responsibility for developing group strategy and identifying business development opportunities.

Last April the group appointed Alan Smith, formerly with Marks and Spencer, as its chief executive, leaving Geoff Mulcahy as executive chairman.

The City viewed the move as Kingfisher strengthening its board rather than signalling a change in direction for the group.

Kingfisher's shares dropped 6p to 652p yesterday.