// Frasers Group has hired ex-Nike executive Ger Wright to lead its sports business, which includes Sports Direct
// New Frasers Group CEO Michael Murray has also made a series of promotions to make sure it “has the right people on board to lead Frasers Group into the future”
Frasers Group new chief executive Michael Murray has reshuffled his senior management team as he puts his stamp on the business.
Murray has hired Nike veteran Ger Wright as managing director of its sports arm, which includes Sports Direct. Wright has spent 16 years at Nike, most recently leading merchandising at its marketplace business across EMEA.
Murray said: “Nike is a strategic partner for us, and Ger’s appointment is a real testament to our elevation strategy.”
Frasers has also promoted some of its senior leaders. Current House of Fraser boss David Epstein, who was previously head of business development at Sports Direct, has been appointed managing director of the group’s premium and luxury division.
Meanwhile, Beckie Stanion, currently chief marketing officer of Sports Direct, will step up to a group role. Murray said Stanion had “played a crucial role in delivering our industry applauded campaigns, and will continue to transform and deliver our visions across the group”.
READ MORE: Mike Ashley to pay future son-in-law £20.9m before he takes over as Frasers CEO
The changes signal Murray putting his stamp on the Frasers Group business that he took charge of at the beginning of May.
He said: “I’m now five weeks into my role as chief executive, and as part of my commitment, I’ll be bringing the right people on board, to lead Frasers Group into the future and build on our solid foundations.
“I’m incredibly excited about where we’re heading – it’s only the beginning.”
Murray, who has spent three years as head of elevation at Frasers Group where he has led efforts to modernise the business to appeal to today’s shoppers, became one of the youngest CEOS of the FTSE 250 when he took the helm of Frasers Group earlier this month.
He took over from Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley, who is set to become his future father-in-law.
Despite cries of nepotism, Murray insisted earlier this month that he had “proven his worth” to the business over that time and said that Ashley wasn’t still pulling the strings at Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct, House of Frasers, USC and Evans Cycles.
“Mike wouldn’t put me up for a job that he didn’t think I could excel in,” he told the BBC. “Mike is not pulling the strings. From the day I became CEO, the final decision lies with me.”
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