JD Sports Fashion Plc has named Sarah Kuijlaars as a non-executive director, effective immediately. The appointment brings extensive international finance expertise to the board, as Kuijlaars previously served as Chief Financial Officer at De Beers Group and held senior roles at Arcadis and Royal Dutch Shell.
JD Sports Fashion Plc announced the appointment of Sarah Kuijlaars as a non-executive director, effective November 11, 2025. Kuijlaars, a chartered accountant with a strong international background in finance and corporate governance, will also join the company’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Before joining JD Sports, Kuijlaars served as Chief Financial Officer at De Beers Group, where she oversaw financial strategy and transformation across its global operations. Her career also includes senior financial roles at Arcadis, Royal Dutch Shell, and ABB, giving her over three decades of experience in multinational corporate finance.
Andrew Higginson, Chair of JD Sports, welcomed the appointment, noting that Kuijlaars’ “breadth of experience in complex, global businesses will be invaluable as JD continues to deliver on its growth strategy.”
The appointment follows a period of board strengthening for JD Sports, which has been reinforcing its governance and leadership structure amid ongoing expansion in Europe, North America, and Asia. The retailer continues to execute its five-year growth plan, aiming to become the leading global sports fashion retailer through strategic acquisitions and new store openings.
This move also supports JD Sports’ focus on diversity and sustainability within its leadership ranks, aligning with broader corporate governance goals across the retail and sporting goods industry.
