JD Sports appoints Darren Shapland as interim chair after Higginson exit
JD Sports has appointed Darren Shapland as interim chair following the conclusion of its 2026 annual general meeting.
Shapland has taken on the role with immediate effect and will remain as chair until a permanent appointment is made. This is in line with previously announced plans back in April when Andrew Higginson informed the JD Sports board of his intention to step down as chair.
As part of the move, Shapland has handed over the chair of the ESG Committee to non-executive director Prama Bhatt, although he remains a member. During the period, he will also step down as a member of the audit and risk committee which has been chaired by Sarah Kuijlaars since June.
Shapland is a former chief executive of Carpetright and has also previously served as chief financial officer at Sainsbury’s.
