There are have been several key management moves at JD Sports with the retail giant’s global MD exiting after decades at the firm to “pursue other opportunities”.

Michael Armstrong has been with the company for 30 years but was only appointed to his most recent role in spring 2023 as the company became an increasingly global operator due to a number of acquisitions.

Meanwhile Drapers reported that the group’s general manager for EMEA, Paul Orange, has been upgraded to MD of the region. He’ll take on some of Armstrong’s responsibilities with the rest being assumed by group CEO Régis Schultz and other senior leadership team members.

The company thanks Armstrong for his “commitment, leadership, and contribution to JD over 30 years”.

Orange is another JD Sports veteran having been with the firm for 20+ years and having been key to its earlier expansion into Europe.

Elsewhere in the company, it has brought in an outsider as head of Data Architecture. He previously worked for gambling specialists Flutter UK & Ireland and Sky Betting & Gaming, as well as electricals retailer AO.com.

The company has been investing heavily in tech in recent periods and this is clearly set to continue with he new arrival.