JD Sports Senior Independent Director Kath Smith to Leave Board in January

JD Sports Fashion (LON: JD.) said at 7am today that Kath Smith, its Senior Independent Director, will step down from the board on the nineteenth of January 2027. The FTSE 100 retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands uses the role to give shareholders an independent director they can approach beyond the chair.

The only explanation offered is that she leaves “after more than 7 years with JD”. The notice came through the London Stock Exchange’s regulatory news service under Listing Rule 6.4.6(R), which requires prompt disclosure of board changes, and it carried no financial figures or guidance.

Yesterday’s close was 92.26p, up 4.32% from 88.44p on Wednesday. That session ended before the announcement, so it says nothing about how the shares have reacted.

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Smith has been on the board since May 2019. In February 2022 she became Senior Independent Director and the non-executive director responsible for relaying staff views, and she served as interim chief executive from May to September that year.

She also led the process that appointed Peter Agnefjäll as non-executive Chair, and he joined the board on the first of September. Throughout her tenure she sat on the Audit & Risk, Nominations and ESG Committees.

Agnefjäll thanked her for her guidance during his induction as Chair and for her contribution since 2019. Chief Executive Officer Régis Schultz said she had offered great counsel to him and the wider business.

Smith, in the company’s statement, said of the group she is leaving:

The business is fundamentally in a strong place and I’m looking forward to watching the next phase of its journey.

Kath Smith, Senior Independent Director

An independent search to identify her replacement has started. The company has named no successor and given no timetable.