• Former police chief constable to be subject of shareholder vote 
  • Hellawell lost a vote last year over his future
  • Sports Direct Ashley expected to back him today, meaning he will stay in the role

Sports Direct’s embattled chairman Keith Hellawell will today face a shareholder vote on his future, but boss Mike Ashley is expected to support him.

Hellawell, a former police chief constable, is likely to face a revolt from shareholders over his re-election.

Independent investors are being called on to vote against him staying in his role over a “catalogue of governance and operational failures”. 

However Sports Direct’s boss and founder Mike Ashley will reportedly back Hellawell, meaning he will stay in his role.

Sports Direct has been rocked in the last year by allegations over its working practices and corporate governance.

Hellawell has been under pressure after he lost a shareholders vote last September when 53% of investors rejected his re-appointment. He offered to resign but was persuaded to stay.

Ashley said at the time: ”I think he (Hellawell) can do a lot of good for Sports Direct in the next 12 months and, if he is prepared to stay, I would more than welcome all his support, knowledge and efforts in helping us making a difference.”

Hellawell said he would step down at Sports Direct’s 2017 AGM if he still did not have the backing of shareholders.

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