Sports Direct hires finance chief 18 months after Bob Mellors exit
SPORTS Direct yesterday named an insider as interim chief financial officer after leaving the post vacant to the concern of shareholders for over 18 months.
Matt Pearson, Sports Direct’s group financial controller, who joined the retailer from EY in 2007, has been promoted to the board with immediate effect.
The retailer, controlled by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, has faced criticism from top shareholders Odey Asset Management and Standard Life over its slow response to replacing Bob Mellors, who retired in December 2013, on health grounds, after almost a decade as chief financial officer.
“After a thorough process and following soundings from leading institutions I am delighted that Matt has been appointed acting chief financial officer and is to join the board,” Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell said in a statement yesterday.