New Frasers director is boyfriend of tycoon Mike Ashley’s daughter

Frasers chief operating officer Al-Mudallal has been promoted to the retailer’s board. Aged 31, he is one of the youngest directors to be appointed to the board of any FTSE company, The Sunday Times reported. 

He is in a relationship with Matilda Ashley and his appointment means that two of Frasers’ 11 board members are in relationships with the tycoon’s daughters. Chief executive Michael Murray is married to Anna Ashley.

Al-Mudallal’s appointment does not breach any rules. The retailer told The Sunday Times: “Al-Mudallal is a highly regarded professional who was appointed to his role as chief operating officer and the board entirely on his merits.

“He has a successful track record in business. We are proud to have him serve. It is laughable to suggest the business would promote figures who were anything other than extremely qualified to do their job well.”

Al-Mudallal, according to his LinkedIn profile, joined Frasers’ Sports Direct business in 2017 as head of talent and became Frasers’ chief of staff two years later. He was subsequently made group head of operations and became chief operating officer in 2021. He was appointed to the board last month.