JD Sports appoints former Nike executive Bert Hoyt to its board

JD Sports has appointed former Nike EMEA VP/GM Bert Hoyt as a non-executive director bringing global sports industry expertise to its board.

Hoyt is a leading figure in the sports industry having joined Nike in 1998. He held senior roles with a particular focus on football and was made VP/GM of Western Europe in 2012. He retired from the sportswear giant in January of this year. Prior to Nike he was with Puma for 10 years.

Before entering the sportswear industry, Hoyt was a Top 200 ATP Tennis professional from 1977 to 1984.

JD Sports executive chairman Peter Cowgill said of his appointment: "Bert has an extensive knowledge of the market in which JD operates and a deep understanding of key supplier relationships, market dynamics and international operations.

"I have every confidence that Bert will have an extremely positive impact on the future of JD and its ongoing growth and success. It will be a real pleasure to work together on the Board."

Hoyt's appointment comes after JD Sports acknowledged it needed to shake-up its board with many of its members having served lengthy tenures. Non-executive director and chairman of the remuneration committee, Andrew Leslie, who had served for 11 years, was voted off the board by shareholders at its AGM while former non-executive director Martin Davies confirmed he was standing down in July after nine years.

At the time the sports retail giant said it had instructed the board to seek more non-executive directors. "I am also pleased to confirm that we are making substantial progress with regard to additional Board appointments, which will address the composition, skill sets and balance of the Board," Cowgill added.