Marketing chief returns to B&Q for 'unfinished business'

Kingfisher-owned B&Q has reappointed Katherine Paterson as marketing director nearly 13 years after she left the role at the home improvement retailer to join Hobbycraft.

Paterson brings extensive marketing and retail experience gained in senior roles across a number of businesses, spanning both large corporate environments as well as smaller, more entrepreneurial firms backed by private equity.

She began her career at Mars before moving into retail, first at Asda, then to B&Q. Paterson then spent 12-years at Hobbycraft as marketing and digital director. She quit late last year and has been chief marketing officer at pet care company Jollyes ever since.

Tom Hampson, who has covered the role on an interim basis since last July will return to the role of director of marketing, reporting to Paterson. Lizzie Harris, director of customer, will also report to Paterson.

Leo Burnett handles the retailer’s advertising account, having won the business from incumbent Uncommon Creative Studio in September last year; Rapp was appointed a month earlier to handle CRM and loyalty.

B&Q chief executive Graham Bell said: “Following an extensive search, I’m delighted that Katherine will be joining B&Q as our new marketing director. She is a very experienced leader with a strong marketing and customer track record and I’m excited that she has agreed to return to B&Q as part of our board team.

“One of our key strategic challenges is to encourage more people to shop with us in our stores and online. Katherine and the marketing team will be fundamental in continuing our progress here.

“I’d like to thank Tom for stepping up as interim and for the contribution he has made to the board in championing a greater customer focus and for leading the renewal of our business purpose.”

Paterson said: “I’m hugely excited to return to B&Q and to have the opportunity to shape the continued success of this iconic British brand.

“I very much feel I have unfinished business following my short stint at B&Q over 12 years ago. The pace of change in recent years has been enormous and it’s a very different business to the one I left. I’m looking forward to joining such a strong team and to be working with Graham and the wider leadership to create a high-performance culture delivering even more success.”

Marketing chief returns to B&Q for ‘unfinished business’

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