Frasers Group's new CEO announces senior appointments

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 31, 2022

Frasers Group’s still-new CEO hasn’t wasted time in his few weeks at the helm and has shaken up the senior team to speed up the strategy at the owner of Flannels, Sports Direct, House of Fraser and Jack Wills.

In a break with company tradition, he announced the news on LinkedIn, saying he’s “bringing the right people on board, to lead Frasers Group into the future and build on our growth”.

It means House of Fraser MD David Epstein — who’s been in that role since 2019 after joining Sports Direct in 2015 — is now MD of premium and luxury for the wider group.

And 16-year Nike veteran Ger Wright is taking up the role of MD of sports having been VP general manager of merchandising marketplace for EMEA at the American activewear giant. 

Murray said Wright has “a wealth of incredible experience that will be invaluable to our future. Nike is a strategic partner for us, and Ger’s appointment is a real testament to our elevation strategy”.

And Sports Direct’s marketing chief Beckie Stanion now has the same role at Frasers Group as a whole. Stanion has “played a crucial role in delivering our industry applauded campaigns, and will continue to transform and deliver our visions across the group”.

The CEO said the appointments are intended to “accelerate the group’s strategy to be the leading retailer in sports, premium and luxury”.

Murray stepped into his new role five weeks ago after several years as head of the firm’s elevation strategy. He’s been at pains to point out that he really is in charge and that controlling shareholder Mike Ashley isn’t pulling the strings behind the scenes. This latest shake-up will go some way to underlining that message.