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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Kingfisher has named Sebastian Gundel, the former chief executive of German home-improvement retailer OBI, as its next CEO. The appointment takes effect on 1 February 2027; until then, Gundel is CEO-designate, not Kingfisher’s serving chief executive. The announcement describes a leadership appointment, not a takeover of OBI.
When does Sebastian Gundel become Kingfisher CEO?
Kingfisher’s CEO-designate biography, published in October 2026, gives 1 February 2027 as the effective date of Gundel’s appointment. It does not specify the exact day in October on which the appointment was announced. Until the effective date, he should be described as Kingfisher’s incoming CEO or CEO-designate.
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The succession follows Thierry Garnier’s resignation, announced by Kingfisher on 6 May 2026. Garnier had been CEO for nearly seven years and resigned to take a senior leadership role outside Kingfisher’s markets. Kingfisher said its Nomination Committee would lead a search that considered both internal and external candidates.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11At the time of that announcement, Garnier had a 12-month notice period and was expected to remain in the role to support an orderly transition. Kingfisher said his exact departure date would be announced later. The reviewed announcements do not establish his final day or provide a detailed handover schedule, so neither should be inferred from Gundel’s February start date.
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Who is Sebastian Gundel?
Gundel has more than two decades of leadership experience in home-improvement retail, according to Kingfisher’s October 2026 biography. Before his appointment, he was CEO of OBI, which Kingfisher described as operating more than 660 stores and employing 40,000 colleagues across ten countries. Those are figures published by Kingfisher in that biography, not independently verified figures in the reviewed announcements.
What did Gundel do at OBI?
Gundel joined OBI in 2012 as Head of Corporate Development. His subsequent roles included marketing and customer leadership, Country Manager for Austria from 2017, and Chief Customer & Digital Officer from 2020. Kingfisher credits him with leading OBI’s digital growth strategy and launching the heyOBI ecosystem, which its 2026 biography says had more than 10 million registered users. That user figure is Kingfisher’s published claim.
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OBI announced Gundel’s appointment as CEO on 30 September 2022, with the role effective from 23 September 2022. He succeeded Sergio Giroldi, who retired after nearly 20 years leading the company. OBI’s announcement described Gundel’s previous responsibilities as Chief Customer and Digital Officer and Country Manager for Austria, and credited him with responsibility for the heyOBI platform and OBI Next transformation unit.
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OBI also said Gundel’s four years leading its Austrian business included growth in market share and operating profit. The announcement did not provide the underlying financial figures, so this is OBI’s assessment rather than a quantified or independently evaluated performance result. The OBI announcement cited 670 stores across Europe in 2022; that dated figure is distinct from Kingfisher’s later description of more than 660 OBI stores and should not be treated as a direct update or contradiction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the appointment—and what is not?
The available announcements establish Gundel’s incoming role, effective date, and career background. They do not include a quote from Gundel or Kingfisher’s board specifically addressing his move to Kingfisher. Statements made in connection with his earlier OBI appointment or Garnier’s resignation relate to those events, not to the October 2026 appointment.
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- Incoming CEO: Sebastian Gundel, previously CEO of OBI.
- Effective date: 1 February 2027, according to Kingfisher’s October 2026 CEO-designate biography.
- Predecessor transition: Thierry Garnier resigned in May 2026; Kingfisher had not specified his final day in the reviewed announcement.
- Experience: corporate development, customer and digital leadership, and management of OBI’s Austrian business.
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