Frasers Group plc, the parent of Sports Direct, Slazenger, Donnay, LA Gear, No Fear, and Antigua, appointed new directors to its Board of Directors, with additional skills and complementary expertise that “reaffirms the Group’s confidence in its long-term growth and Elevation Strategy.”
The group appointed Helen Wright, global chief executive of luxury shoe retailer Sergio Rossi, as a non-executive director. David Al-Mudallal, COO of Frasers Group and Ger Wright, managing director of sports at Frasers Group, join the Board as executive directors, effective February 26, 2024. Frasers also reported it will appoint Sir Jon Thompson, the former CEO of the Financial Reporting Council, as a non-executive director later this year when his current commitments allow.
“Much has changed at Frasers over recent years, and today is another significant milestone in our transformation as we welcome new high-caliber individuals to the Board,” said David Daly, chair of the Board at Frasers Group. “I know that we will benefit from their leadership and expertise. I’m also delighted that their appointments further diversify our Board, ensuring that we have the range of skills and views required to enable the future success of the Elevation Strategy.”
“Today’s appointments reflect the progress we have made to date on Frasers’ transformation and Elevation Strategy, as well as our ambitions for the future of the Group,” added Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group. “I am pleased to welcome Helen Wright to Frasers and to the Board and very much look forward to welcoming Sir Jon later this year. Helen’s experience of driving transformation at global luxury brands, combined with Jon’s expertise in corporate governance and major project management, will help shape the execution of our long-term strategy. In addition, Ger and David have both made enormous contributions to the ongoing success of our strategy, delivering operational excellence and empowering our business to excel. I am confident that their contribution to the Board will help drive Frasers Group to new heights and future success.”
Helen Wright has over 25 years of experience as a senior executive in international luxury and lifestyle consumer brands and is credited with “leading the turnaround and reinvigoration of the British heritage brand Belstaff during her time as CEO.” It is reported that Wright “set the company’s strategic vision and investment agenda and drove its digital transformation.” Other leadership roles included VP of sales and merchandising, Europe, at Ralph Lauren, president EMEI for Fendi/LVMH and CEO at Anya Hindmarch.
In November 2023, Wright was appointed Group CEO at Sergio Rossi, the Italian luxury footwear house based in Milan, Italy.
Ger Wright has been managing director of sport for Frasers Group since 2022, having joined with 20 years of executive experience across commercial, product and merchandising functions. She is responsible for leading Sport within the Group, working closely with the team and with brand partners “to deliver the next phase of the business’s omni-channel transformation and expansion.”
Previously, Ger worked for Levi’s and, most recently, spent 15 years at Nike, responsible for building markets, businesses and teams across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Al-Mudallal was appointed chief operating officer of Frasers Group in August 2021. The company said Al-Mudallal has been a “key driver of its transformative Elevation Strategy, pivotal in acquiring and retaining talent and delivering operational excellence across the Group.” Al-Mudallal is responsible for integrating newly acquired businesses onto the Frasers platform, a key driver in “unlocking profitable growth from the company’s M&A strategy.” He also reportedly led the creation of the Group’s Financial Services Division and the successful development and rollout of Frasers Plus, its loyalty and credit facility. Since joining the Frasers in 2017, Al-Mudallal has held various senior roles, including chief of staff and head of operations.
Sir Jon Thompson, former chief executive at the Financial Reporting Council, is expected to bring a wealth of experience in governance, reporting and audit, having led the transformation of the FRC following multiple independent audits. His previous roles include chair of HS2, CEO of HMRC and permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defense, where he oversaw major projects and drove significant change programs.
Before joining the Civil Service in 2004, Thompson held several corporate service and finance roles in the public and private sectors. The company intends to appoint him to the Board later this year when his current commitments allow.
Images courtesy Sports Direct and LinkedIn/Helen Wright, Ger Wright, David Al-Mudallal, and Sir Jon Thompson
