JD Sports Fashion Plc, supporting sports, fashion and outdoor brands, announces that it has appointed Sarah Kuijlaars to its Board as an independent Non-Executive Director, effective Monday, November 10. Kuijlaars also joins the retailer’s Audit and Risk Committee and Nomination Committee.
Kuijlaars replaces Ian Dyson as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee on June 1, 2026, following a handover period. Dyson assumed the role of interim Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee in July 2025 while a recruitment process was underway. He will continue to be a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Kuijlaars is the chief financial officer of Tate & Lyle PLC. Previously, she served as chief financial officer of De Beers Group and Arcadis NV. Prior to that, she was deputy chief financial officer at Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and held several senior finance leadership roles during a 25-year career at Shell plc.
Upon her appointment, the Board will include eight non-executive directors (seven independent and one not considered independent), a non-executive chair and two executive directors.
Andrew Higginson, non-executive chair, commented: “The Board is delighted to welcome Sarah to the JD Board, and we are very pleased that Sarah has agreed to become Audit and Risk Committee Chair. Sarah’s valuable experience from serving as a finance leader in public companies, along with a deep knowledge of accounting and disclosure requirements and experience in a wide range of governance matters, will further strengthen the existing Board for many years to come.
“The Board is grateful to Ian Dyson for fulfilling the interim role as Chair of Audit and Risk Committee and would like to thank Ian for his commitment to the role during this time,” continued Higginson.
Images courtesy JD Sports, Tate & Lyle
