Exclusive: Former chief executive of Sports Direct Dave Forsey is making a surprise return to Frasers Group to lead the retailer’s ambitious international expansion.
Retail Week can reveal that Forsey, who was famously Mike Ashley’s right-hand man, will rejoin the retailer as general manager of the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA).
It is understood that his new role will be based in Malaysia but he will be visiting the London office for two weeks every two months.
Forsey worked alongside owner Mike Ashley for 32 years, starting out as a Saturday store worker at the age of 18 before leading the Sports Direct empire.
He resigned in 2016, a time in which the retailer was under fire over zero hour contracts and concerns regarding staff being paid less than minimum wage at one of its warehouses.
While he took time out as a business consultant following his Sports Direct departure, Forsey later stepped in as managing director at cosmetics giant Revolution Beauty for three years from March 2020 to February 2023.
Frasers Group have confirmed Forsey’s return to the business but did not provide a comment.
This comes as the group, which is known for its acquisitive behaviour, works towards its goal of becoming a “leading global sports retailer” by ramping up its global growth plans.
Frasers chief financial officer Chris Wootton told Retail Week earlier today that it remains a “key focus” for the group, while chief executive Michael Murray hailed the group’s recent “significant strides” with its international partnerships.
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