JD Sports chair quit after failed push to remove CEO – reports

The FT cited four sources close to the business confirming that Higginson argued Schultz should be replaced following slowing sales at the business.

It added that majority shareholder Pentland, which owns 55% of JD Group, continued to back Schultz. Given shareholders could not be convinced by Higginson’s claims a “mutual decision” was taken that he would leave the business. 

A JD Group spokesperson said: “It was mutually agreed between Andy and the board that this is the right time for a change of chair; there has been no disagreement about the board’s continued support for the CEO. The board is grateful for the valuable role that Andy has played during his tenure at the business”.

Higginson’s tenure at the company began in July 2022 and involved overseeing the transformation of the retailer’s governance framework. The outgoing chair’s previous roles include chair of the BRC and the boards of Morrisons, N Brown and Poundland.

When his departure was announced earlier this week, Higginson said: “I am proud of my time at JD, which has coincided with a tough period in the sportswear market. We have focused the business back to sports fashion, bought out minority interests in subsidiaries, and accelerated our expansion outside JD’s UK market, particularly in the US.”

Darren Shapland will become interim chair on July 21, when Higginson will formally step down.

In the statement released alongside the news of Higginson’s departure, Schultz said: “I’m grateful to Andy for his support and counsel through a critical and transformational period for the group. His leadership and experience have been crucial in building the capability we have around the board today.”