Long-serving senior JD Sports boss to quit next year

The chief financial officer at JD Sports is to step down next year, it has been confirmed.

Neil Greenhalgh first joined the Greater Manchester-headquartered retail giant in 2004 and took up his current position in November 2018.

JD Sports has now launched a process to recruit a successor. An exact date for his departure has not been given.

In a statement, the group said Mr Greenhalgh is “committed to assist in this process to help ensure an orderly succession” as well as to work with the board and KPMG in the audit and publication in Spring 2023 of JD’s financial results for the year to January 28, 2023.

The news comes after long-serving executive chairman Peter Cowgill quit suddenly in May. The group recently agreed a £5.5m exit deal with Mr Cowgill.

JD Sports has since hired former Tesco and Morrisons boss Andy Higginson as chairman and former B&Q boss Régis Schultz as chief executive.

Mr Greenhalgh said: “The decision to step back from JD during 2023 is one that I have been considering for some time.

“I fully intend to help Andy and Régis settle into their roles and, by giving the board advanced notice, enable a smooth transition to a new CFO.”

Chairman Andy Higginson added: “Neil joined JD in 2004 and has been CFO since November 2018. He has been a key part of the team that has delivered tremendous growth in the business.

“The board would like to thank him for his constructive approach which allows us to search, recruit and induct the best replacement to support the growth plans of the business in a measured way whilst retaining all his experience and knowledge. In the meantime, it’s business as usual whilst the search is underway.”

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