Veronique Laury

In her fourth year as CEO, Laury is making some progress on her five-year plan for Kingfisher, Europe’s second-largest home improvement retailer. She wants to boost its digital might, streamline inventory, and integrate back office systems across its Screwfix, B&Q, and Castorama DIY stores. But weakness at Castorama, the French chain Laury herself used to head, has hampered progress, so much so that Laury shook up its leadership in September.