JD Sports senior independent director Kath Smith is set to leave its board in January after more than seven years, prompting a search for her successor.
Smith, who joined the sportswear giant in May 2019, will step down on January 19, 2027, with an independent recruitment process already underway to find her replacement.
She was appointed senior independent director and designated workforce engagement non-executive director in February 2022, and played a key role in the retailer’s board leadership changes.
Smith also served as interim chief executive between May and September 2022, following the departure of former executive chairman Peter Cowgill.
More recently, she led the search for JD Sports’ new chairman Peter Agnefjäll, who took up the role on September 1.
During her tenure, Smith served on the retailer’s audit and risk, nominations and ESG committees, alongside supporting employee engagement and inclusion initiatives across the business.
She previously held senior positions at Adidas, Reebok and The North Face, bringing extensive experience in the sportswear sector to JD’s board.
JD Sports chief executive Régis Schultz thanked Smith for her contribution, highlighting her knowledge of the retailer’s brand partners and her role in strengthening its wider proposition.
Smith said the business had undergone significant changes in recent years, with investment in leadership and operations helping to build foundations for future growth.
She added: “The business is fundamentally in a strong place.”
Chairman Agnefjäll also thanked Smith for her guidance during his induction and her contribution to the retailer since joining the board.
JD Sports continues to navigate a challenging trading environment, having reported a 19.7 per cent fall in first-half adjusted pre-tax profits to £282 million in September.
It maintained its full-year profit guidance of between £700 million and £800 million, despite continued pressure on consumer spending and footwear demand.
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