Executive chairman, JD Sports Fashion

The straight-speaking Northern chairman of JD Sports Fashion is continuing to enjoy the group’s rise with its niche offer that has helped the business to avoid much of the drama taking place in the wider sports market.

There was an impressive 26% rise in full-year pre-tax profits, and JD Sports has been firmly on the acquisition trail both here and overseas. The company has bought French retailer Chausport and rugby brand Canterbury Europe in the past year, as well as the recent acquisition of menswear brand Sonetti.

The partnership between Cowgill and chief executive Barry Bown in the business continues to work well, with Bown taking the mantle as the product man and Cowgill the operational mind.

Its inherent knowledge of its customers also continues to bear fruit at the business with tie-ups with musical events and bands such as N-Dubz keeping it very much in tune with its young, fashion-conscious customers.