// Former Direct Line boss in running for Kingfisher CEO vacancy
// B&Q, Castorama owner could also choose French candidate to lead the European retail giant
// Prior to Direct Line, Geddes worked as marketing chief at both Comet and Argos
Paul Geddes is believed to be one of the main candidates in the running for Kingfisher’s newly vacated chief executive spot.
Geddes is one of a small group of prospective chief executives to take over from Véronique Laury.
Sources say either Geddes or a French candidate are likely to take over the firm, which is the largest home improvement retailer in Europe, operating through B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix.
Geddes is known for leading Direct Line’s demerger from RBS in 2012 and its float on the stock exchange, expanding its shares by around 80 per cent in the last six years.
He left the insurer in May after a decade at the business. Before Direct Line, Geddes worked as marketing chief for both Comet and Argos.
It’s not the first time Geddes has been mentioned in the run up for a top retail position recently.
In March The Sunday Times reported that Geddes was believed to be a possibility for the new John Lewis Partnership chairman.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
