JD Sports appoints former Amazon executive to board as Heather Jackson stands down

JD Sports Fashion has appointed former Amazon executive Mahbobeh Sabetnia as non-executive director as it continues to refresh its board line-up.

The move comes after Heather Jackson stepped down from her position as non-executive director, after more than six years on the board of the sports and fashion plc.

Sabetnia has been described as "a strategic and results driven executive with significant digital transformation experience across various sectors". She has an extensive track record delivering digital growth in global organisations and has held executive roles within Amazon, McDonald's, HSBC and, most recently, Mars.

JD Sports executive chairman Peter Cowgill commented: "I would like to thank Heather for her valuable contribution to the Board throughout the last six years. During that period, the Company has developed considerably to become one of the UK's prominent global retailers. I wish her all the best for the future."

He added: On behalf of the Board and the Nominations Committee, I am pleased to welcome Mahbobeh Sabetnia to the Board of Directors. Mahbobeh has very relevant digital and e-commerce experience and her expertise will add significantly to the balance and skill sets of the JD Board. I have every confidence that she will be a real asset, as we continue the global expansion of our best in class digital and physical retail proposition. The appointment of Mahbobeh will further strengthen the Board for the benefit of all stakeholders."

The group has previously revealed that a search for a CEO is underway to enable Cowgill's joint role and chairman and CEO to be split. Sabetnia's appointment follows that of former ASOS CFO Helen Ashton joined as non-executive director earlier this month.

JD pledged to inject more diversity into its board line-up after long-standing chair of the remuneration committee Andrew Leslie, who had said on the board for 10 years, was voted out by shareholders in July over a dispute about Cowgill's pay.