Howdens Joinery nabs Kingfisher's Screwfix boss as CEO retires

Howden Joinery Group has poached Screwfix boss Andrew Livingston from larger rival Kingfisher to fill the hole left as chief executive Matthew Ingle announced his retirement after 22 years after founding the company.

Livingston has headed up the Screwfix arm of the FTSE 100 group since 2013 since joining as commercial and ecommerce director in 2009, following stints as chief operating officer of Wyevale Garden Centres and as commercial director of kitchens and bathrooms at B&Q.

Screwfix has recently been the sole driving force at Kingfisher, last year growing sales 23% to £1.3bn thanks to strong growth from the specialist trade desks, digital growth and the opening of 70 outlets in the UK and Germany.

Ingle, who founded Howdens in 1995 as a unit of MFI Furniture Group with just 14 depots and first year sales of £1m that rose to £1.3bn in 2016 from 650 depots, will retire in the first half of next year, with Livingston due to become a member of the Howdens board at an unspecified date, taking over as CEO following a handover period with his predecessor.

"Having founded Howdens in 1995, Matthew has been its driving force for more than twenty years," said chairman Richard Pennycook.

"On behalf of the Board and all our colleagues I thank him for his exceptional leadership. In addition to building a strong, growing and unique business whose culture is testament to his character, he has also created outstanding shareholder value. In recognition of his unique contribution to Howdens, the board has asked Matthew to become Howdens' honorary Lifetime President."

He highlighted Livingston's "outstanding strategic and operational track record" at Screwfix and that both companies have sought to develop strong relationships with trade customers.

"Under his leadership, Screwfix has shown very strong organic growth, at the same time as a significant trade counter rollout programme. Andrew's appointment is a result of a rigorous and wide-reaching process conducted as part of our succession planning and we look forward to him leading Howdens through the next stage of its development."

Ingle added: "Selling kitchens trade-only to builders was a new concept in 1994 and I must thank Derek Hunt from MFI for having faith in us and for backing the idea."

He added: "Howdens is well set for the future, and I believe that now is the right time for me to step down and pass the baton on to Andrew. As a company we have done well, are doing well and have great prospects for the future. I believe the company has the resources to look forward and to develop a new chapter in its development, and there are exciting choices for the new generation of leaders to make. I am very pleased that I will continue to be in touch with Howdens in the role of Lifetime President."