The Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven Group believes Boral's United States operations are a big drag on returns and will push for the US business to be sold off to return the company to a core focus on Australia.

Seven Group, which emerged with a 10 per cent stake in the beleaguered building materials company, also wants a strong say in who the next chief executive of Boral will be. Boral chief executive Mike Kane will exit by August.