JD Sports appoints Andrew Higginson as new chair

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Fashion giant JD Sports has announced the appointment of former Morrisons non-executive Andrew Higginson as the new chair of the group.

Higginson will take up his new role on July 11 as the retailer looks to restructure its senior management team following the departure of former executive chair and chief executive Peter Cowgill earlier this year.

Higginson has over 28 years of non-executive board experience and was most recently chair of supermarket chain Morrisons from 2015 to 2021. While at the grocer, Higginson helped advise on its eventual takeover by CD&R and oversaw a turnaround of the business under chief executive David Potts.

Prior to moving into non-executive roles, Higginson worked in senior management positions at Tesco for 15 years. He is also a senior independent director at betting and gaming group Flutter.

Higginson said: “Having closely followed JD’s success over the years, I see it as an exceptional business with a strong strategic position. The board has clearly been addressing its governance and risk management structure and I very much look forward to working with the board and the senior management team, including our new CEO once appointed, to bring my experience to bear and capitalise on the strength of the brands, market positions and channels to market including the global retail store network.”

JD Sports interim chair Helen Ashton said: “The board was impressed with the high-quality candidates that we met throughout the recruitment process. Andy, however, stood out as the best candidate with his extensive board experience including as a chair and his strong track record in the international retail sector. It is a testament to the quality and attractiveness of JD that we have recruited Andy to the important role of chair.

“JD is a great business with a clear strategy, occupying a unique place in the market, and we look forward to working with him on our global development opportunities.”