Go Outdoors boss Chris Matthews has resigned after four years at the helm, just weeks after its acquisition by JD Sports was approved.
Matthews will be succeeded by the outdoors specialist’s current chief financial officer Claire Webb, who will take the title of managing director and report directly to JD Sports executive chairman Peter Cowgill.
Webb has served as Go Outdoors finance boss since February 2015, prior to which she spent 10 years as chief financial officer for electricals retailer Maplin.
It is not clear whether Matthews, who oversaw the retailer’s return to profit in 2013 and multi-million pound push into cycling last year, has left the business for a new role.
Acquisition by JD Sports
Go Outdoors was snapped up by JD Sports for £112m in November last year after doubling its pre-tax profits in 2015.
The acquisition was approved by the CMA last month.
A spokeswoman for Go Outdoors said: “After four years, Chris Matthews has announced he will be stepping down as chief executive.”
“During his tenure, Chris led the business successfully from ownership by the founders and private equity to its recent sale to JD Sports.
“Claire Webb, the current chief financial officer, will take over as managing director of Go Outdoors reporting to JD Sports chairman, Peter Cowgill.”
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