18 May 2009 15:28
JJB Sports plc strengthens senior management team
(Wigan, 18 May 2009): JJB Sports plc, one of the UK's leading sports retailers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lawrence Coppock as Finance Director and Colin Tranter as Director of Retail and Product with immediate effect.
Lawrence joins JJB with 20 years' experience of running the financial affairs of a number of Britain's leading companies. Most recently he was Group Finance Director at the Wyndeham Press Group. Between 2000 and 2004 he worked with MFI Group plc initially as Group Finance Director and he was previously Finance Director of B & Q plc between 1988 and 1994. Lawrence is not currently a director of any other publicly listed company and has not been so within the past five years.
Colin has been appointed as JJB's Director of Retail and Product. Colin has had a long and successful career in global sales and merchandising, and from 1986-2001 was managing director of CAT International, buying and sourcing clothing for a range of leading British retailers, including River Island. He has agreed to take on the task of rejuvenating JJB's product ranges and its stores. He is not currently a director of any publicly listed company and has not been so within the past five years.
Both Lawrence Coppock and Colin Tranter will join the Board of JJB Sports plc and have advised that there are no other details to be disclosed in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.13.
At the same time the Group confirms that Peter Williams, who has worked with the Company since last December and who has served as Executive Director since January, will leave the Group and step down from the Board on 31 May 2009, following the anticipated implementation of the CVA proposals. The Board would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Peter, who has played a pivotal role in guiding and rescuing the business at the most difficult time in its history.
Commenting on the changes, Sir David Jones, Executive Chairman said: "I am delighted that two people of Lawrence's and Colin's calibre have agreed to join us and take on the task of renewing and rebuilding JJB. With our financial restructuring progressing very well we have all the tools to develop this group into Britain's premier sports retailer, for customers who are serious about their sport.
"At the same time I would like to express my enormous thanks to Peter, who was there for JJB when we needed a man of his skills most. He worked tirelessly to rescue this business."
Enquiries
| JJB Sports plc | 01942 221400 |
| Sir David Jones | |
| Maitland | 020 7379 5151 |
| Neil Bennett | |
| Emma Burdett |
Notes to editors:
About Lawrence Coppock, FCA
| Wyndeham Press Group | Group Financial Director | 2006 - 2009 |
| Weir Services Ltd | Regional Managing Director | 2006 |
| Weir Services Ltd | Finance Director | 2005 |
| Jones Lang LaSalle | Consultant | 2004 - 2006 |
| BAA/McArthurGlen | Group Finance Director | 2001 - 2002 |
| MFI Group Plc | Group Finance Director | 2000 - 2004 |
| HobbyCraft Group Ltd | Group Finance Director | 1998 - 2000 |
| Sunsail International Plc | Group Finance Director | 1996 - 1997 |
| Stead & Simpson Ltd | Group Commercial Director | 1996 |
| Hunter Timber Group Ltd | Group Finance Director | 1994 - 1995 |
| B & Q Plc | Group Finance Director | 1988 - 1994 |
About Colin Tranter
| Independent Consultant | 2001 - 2009 |
| Managing Director, C.A.T. International | 1986 - 2001 |
| Managing Director, Grattan Far East (based in Hong Kong) | 1981 - 1986 |
| Merchandise Director, GUS, Marshall Ward | 1976 - 1981 |
| Buying Controller, ETAM | 1972 - 1976 |
| National Sales Manager, ETAM | 1970 - 1972 |