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JD Sports Fashion PLC (LSE:JD., OTC:JDSPY) has begun looking for a new chair after Andrew Higginson said he will step down in July after four years in the role. The sportswear retailer said Higginson had overseen changes to governance and supported the group’s international expansion, with around 40% of the business now in North America. Senior independent director Kath Smith is leading the search for a replacement, with Darren Shapland becoming interim chair after the annual meeting on 21 July, until a permanent appointment is made. Shapland has been an independent non-executive director since June 2023. Higginson said: "I am proud of my time at JD which has coincided with a tough period in the sportswear market." He added that the group had refocused on sports fashion, expanded in the US and strengthened governance. Smith said Higginson's experience "has been of great value in setting JD up for the next phase of growth, and he has brought focus to the group's strategy, valued by both the Board and management". Chief executive Regis Schultz said Higginson’s leadership had been important during a “critical and transformational period” for the group, especially in strengthening out the board.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
