Like his beloved Sheffield United, lingering in twelfth spot in the championship, Kingfisher, the DIY retail group of which Peter Jackson is chairman, is also having a mediocre year.

Form away from home for both has not been as good as expected, and yesterday Kingfisher was forced to admit that its expansion into China has been a disaster. Store closures and job losses are expected as the company's B&Q business struggles to make a name for itself in one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Mr Jackson, former chief executive of Associated British Foods, agreed to take on the chairmanship of Kingfisher in 2006 - a role considered one of the toughest in retail. Kingfisher had been struggling under the chairmanship of Sir Francis Mackay and the chief executive, Gerry Murphy. The pair were criticised for being slow to spot retail downturn and not swift enough to cut costs.

Analysts said that it would be easier for a new chairman to turf out Mr Murphy if he failed to improve trading. Mr Jackson did so earlier this year and appointed Ian Chesire in his place. However, questions about the suitability of Mr Jackson's own appointment are already being asked as Mr Chesire yesterday cut the final dividend payout by 50 per cent and warned that it could take four years to deliver a turnaround at the group.

Mr Jackson, 61, a Yorkshireman, spent 18 years in the food industry before Kingfisher, having joined British Sugar as an executive director in 1987. He rose to chief executive two years later, overseeing the sale of the group to Associated British Foods in 1991.

He studied economics at Leeds University and spent the early part of his career working in industrial relations, for Perkins Engines and later, as personnel director, at Rolls-Royce.

He is married with two sons and one daughter and golf and gardening could be said to be a welcome relief from this year's disappointment from his football team. There is some cheer for Mr Jackson though - his team's arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday are in the relegation zone.