Last checked at 2 Aug 2022 07:00
02 August 2022
JD Sports Fashion PLC
Appointment of new Chief Executive Officer
JD Sports Fashion Plc ('JD' or the 'Group'), the leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, is pleased to announce that Régis Schultz has been appointed as the Company's new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive executive global search process.
It is expected that Régis will join JD in September at which time Kath Smith will undertake a full handover of her duties to Régis during a short transitionary period. Kath will then resume her former role as Senior Independent Director on the Board.
Régis brings with him a wealth of retail experience as CEO, including of a UK-listed retail business, and across retail categories including home, fashion, electrical sporting goods and food. In particular, he has a strong track record of effecting transformational change through digitisation, driving multi-channel growth strategies and working across international markets.
He will join from Al-Futtaim Group, the Dubai-based conglomerate which is partner to many of the world's most high-profile companies across automotive, retail, financial services, real estate and health sectors, and where he has been President of Retail since 2019. The retail division has helped to launch and build world class brands, including Zara, IKEA, Hugo Boss, M&S and Lacoste and operates in Middle East, Asia and North Africa.
In addition, Régis has more than a decade's experience acting as Chief Executive of major retail businesses. Prior to joining Al-Futtaim, he was CEO of Monoprix, France's leading city-centre food and fashion retailer that is part of Groupe Casino. During his time there he launched and executed a new digital strategy, signed a partnership with Amazon, concluded the first international partnership with Ocado and concluded the acquisition of an online shoes' pure player.
Andrew Higginson, Non-Executive Chair of JD, said:
"The Board has taken this opportunity to conduct a truly global search to find the right candidate to lead JD on the next stage in its development. Régis brings exactly the characteristics we were looking for. He is a retailer through and through with experience across all types of retail formats. He has also delivered transformational change through digitisation in a number of his roles. Finally, he has significant international experience which will be very important as he works with myself and our senior team to execute on our growth strategy. We very much look forward to Régis joining us."
Régis Schultz, CEO elect of JD, added:
"JD has consistently proven itself to be one of the most successful operators of multi-brand retail formats in the world. We are committed to going deeper in the international development of our brands applying our experience and executional expertise and further enhancing our market leading multi-channel customer experience. I am very excited to be joining the Group and look forward to working with the team to deliver on the growth opportunities."
Enquiries:
JD Sports Fashion Plc Tel: 0161 767 1000
Andy Higginson, Chair
Kath Smith, Interim CEO
Neil Greenhalgh, Chief Financial Officer
FGS Global Tel: 0207 251 3801
Rollo Head
Jenny Davey
James Thompson
The announcement is issued in accordance with the UK Listing Authority's Listing Rule 9.6.11. There are no additional matters that would require disclosure under LR 9.6.13 R (1) to (6) in respect of this appointment.
Notes to Editors:
Earlier Career History - Prior to Monoprix Regis was widely credited with revitalising the LSE-listed retail group, Darty PLC (2013-2016) until its sale to FNAC and BUT where he delivered significant strategic change, re-energising and repositioning the business.
Régis held senior positions in the UK at Kingfisher Plc, including as Strategy Director and Executive Committee member and as Chief Financial Officer, Commercial Director and Chief Operating Officer of B&Q. Régis started his career in 1997 as a Financial Director in a division of the Pernod-Ricard Group, before moving to Castorama Group as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
He holds an MBA in Corporate Finance and Financial Management from Paris Dauphine University.