JD Sports chief financial officer Neil Greenhalgh is to leave the retailer next year.

Neil Greenhalgh

Neil Greenhalgh joined JD Sports in 2004

His exit will be the second by one of JD Sports’ senior leadership team, following the abrupt departure of veteran executive chair Peter Cowgill in May.

Greenhalgh has been at JD Sports since 2004 and has been chief financial officer since 2018.

The business will now begin the search for Greenhalgh’s successor. The retailer said Greenhalgh “is committed to assisting in this process to help ensure an orderly succession” and he will be involved in the audit and publication of results for the current financial year, which ends in January 2023.

JD Sports chair Andy Higginson said Greenhalgh “has been a key part of the team that has delivered tremendous growth in the business”.

He added: “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.”

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 [new chief executive] Régis [Schultz] settle into their roles and, by giving the board advanced notice, enable a smooth transition to a new CFO.”

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