Whelan hangs up boots as chairman of JJB Sports
JJB Sports founder David Whelan hung up his boots as chairman of the retailer today, as he announced plans to spend more time with Premiership new boys Wigan Athletic.
But Mr Whelan, 68, stopped short of severing all ties with JJB by accepting an executive directorship, ensuring he will continue to play a part in the day-to-day running of the company he set up in 1971.
Details of the boardroom reshuffle came as JJB announced that demand had slumped further since the end of May, with like-for-like sales now 9.4% lower for the 22 weeks to July 3, and total sales off 8.9%.
This compared with the 7.7% decline in same-store sales for the first 16 weeks of its financial year, which prompted Mr Whelan to call for an immediate cut in interest rates.
One third of the decline in total sales so far was due to JJB being unable to shift as many replica shirts and related merchandise as last year, when the buzz around the Euro 2004 football tournament was at its height.
But the retailer said it would now find the going easier in terms of sales comparatives, although a material improvement in retail trading conditions was unlikely until next spring at the earliest, and the build-up to the 2006 World Cup.
Announcing his decision to step down, Mr Whelan said the promotion of Wigan Athletic would demand more of his time as chairman of the club than before.
He said: “Accordingly, it is appropriate that I cut back on my commitment to JJB, which is why I am standing down as chairman.”
Mr Whelan will be replaced by Roger Lane-Smith, who will step up to the role of non-executive chairman after seven years on the board as a director. Mr Lane-Smith was formerly senior partner and chairman of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary UK – one of the world’s largest law firms.
“Although my Board responsibilities will be reduced, it is still my intention to remain heavily involved in JJB,” Mr Whelan said.
In spite of the current trading environment being extremely challenging, Mr Lane-Smith expressed confidence that JJB had the ability to adapt and prosper.
He added: “I am pleased that the board and the company will continue to be able to draw on the huge experience and retail acumen which David Whelan has brought to the company over a long period.”
