JD Sports has confirmed the departure of its global managing director, Michael Armstrong, marking the end of a more than 30-year career at the sportswear retailer.
Armstrong left the business after less than three years in the role, having stepped down to pursue other opportunities, according to Drapers. Over his long tenure, he held a number of senior leadership positions and was regarded as a key figure in the company’s expansion.
He was appointed to the newly created position of global managing director in April 2023, with responsibility for helping to drive the group’s international growth and support its ambition to become a leading global sports-fashion retailer.
The leadership change comes as JD Sports promotes Paul Orange, previously general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), to managing director of the region. Orange is expected to take on part of Armstrong’s former responsibilities, with the remainder shared among chief executive Régis Schultz and other members of the senior leadership team.
In a statement to Drapers, a JD Sports spokesperson confirmed that Armstrong had stepped down from his role as managing director of the JD brand to pursue other opportunities and thanked him for his commitment, leadership and contribution to the business over three decades.
The spokesperson also confirmed Orange’s promotion, noting that he brings more than 20 years’ experience at JD Sports and has played a significant role in the company’s growth, including its early expansion across Europe.
In his new position, Orange will assume full responsibility for JD Sports’ EMEA operations, covering the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His remit will also include oversight of buying, own-brand development and marketing, as well as merchandising, digital operations, key support functions such as finance, property and human resources, and the company’s country management teams.
