JD Sports Fashion (LSE:JD.) on Friday announced that Kath Smith, its Senior Independent Director, will stand down from the board from 19 January 2027 after more than seven years with the group.
The London-listed retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands said an independent search to find Smith's replacement has begun.
Smith joined the board in May 2019 and was appointed Senior Independent Director and Designated Workforce Engagement Non-Executive Director in February 2022, a period in which she also led the process to appoint Peter Agnefjäll as non-executive Chair; Agnefjäll joined the board on 1 September.
She served as interim chief executive between May and September 2022, and sat on the Audit & Risk, Nominations and ESG committees during her tenure, as well as the Remuneration Committee from February 2020 to October 2022.
In her workforce engagement role, Smith took part in employee mentoring and supported JD's inclusion initiatives, including International Women's Day, "JD UP" and the JD Foundation Gala.
Agnefjäll thanked Smith "for her service, commitment and significant contribution to the business since joining the Board in 2019."
Chief executive Régis Schultz said Smith's "extensive experience and deep understanding of our brand partners has been invaluable to JD, and instrumental in helping us to strengthen our Group-wide proposition."
Smith said the business was "fundamentally in a strong place" and that she was "looking forward to watching the next phase of its journey."