LONDON (Alliance News) - Sports clothing and equipment retailer Sports Direct International PLC on Thursday said its acting chief financial officer will step down at the end of the year.
Matt Pearson, who has been acting CFO since July 2015, is leaving to take up a role at a different company, which Sports Direct did not name. He will leave at the end of 2016.
In September, amid fierce criticism over its working practices and corporate governance, Sports Direct said Mike Ashley, its founder and majority shareholder, would step into the role of chief executive. He replaced his long-time right-hand-man, Dave Forsey, who had been with the group for 32 years.
Amongst the criticisms aimed at Sports Direct has been its failure to appoint a permanent finance boss, with Pearson having been acting in the role for over a year.
Herbert Monteith has been made interim head of finance in Pearson's place.
"Matt has been a valued member of the Sports Direct family for over nine years, and he will be a loss to the company. I wish him all the best for the future and would like to thank him for his time at Sports Direct," said Ashley.
Sports Direct added that trading remains in line with its expectations.
By Sam Unsted; samunsted@alliancenews.com; @SamUAtAlliance
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