JD Sports promotes FD to CFO role as Brian Small steps down

JD Sports has promoted finance director Neil Greenhalgh to the role of chief financial officer, as Brian Small will step down from the role at the end of the month.

The company said it had been in talks with Small for the past few months regarding his proposed retirement and wishes him all the best for the future.

Greenhalgh, who joined the group in 2014, will become CFO with effect from 1 November.

"Neil has been deeply involved in all aspects of JD's growth and international expansion for the last 14 years. Specifically, he has increasingly been fulfilling many aspects of his new role in more recent years in anticipation of an orderly succession," the company said.

Executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: "I would like to thank Brian for his valuable contribution and support over the last 15 years at JD and we wish him well in his retirement. I would also like to welcome Neil to the board of JD. The board is delighted that a planned succession has been achieved. Neil has already made a substantial contribution to JD and his promotion to the Board will enable him to contribute still further.''

At 1250 BST, the shares were down 3.4% to 404.50p.