Sports Direct Barnstaple store manager elected as first workers' representative

A Barnstaple store manager has been chosen as Sports Direct’s first workers’ representative, a bid by the beleaguered retailer to act on criticisms of its labour conditions.

Alex Balacki, 30, who started as a causal shop assistant working on Saturdays 13 years ago, will now attend all board meetings and represent the company’s 23,000 employees for the next 12 months with the first AGM in the spring.

The appointment comes after the FTSE 250 retailer came under fire last July for paying workers on zero hour contracts less than the minimum wage at its Derby warehouse.

A damning parliamentary select committee report had compared the retailer’s employment practices and conditions to a “Victorian workhouse”.

Balacki was elected from three candidates who were selected through an internal assessment process, which will take place every year.

In a letter to staff, Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley said: "I'd like to be the first to congratulate Alex, who will help us to continue to make a positive difference by ensuring that your voice is heard in the boardroom.

“I have said many times that this is a company that was built by the great people who work here. I am therefore delighted that the people at Sports Direct have voted to choose the company's first UK elected workers' representative."

Balacki added: "I'm very proud to be chosen by my fellow members of staff to fulfil this important responsibility. I'd like to thank everybody who took part in the elections, including all of the other candidates. It's now my role to ensure the people of Sports Direct are heard."