It’s an interesting appointment given that he’s a JD insider through and through having joined the firm in 1995 as a sales assistant in Glasgow. He’s moved through a number of key roles since then as the business has grown into one of the world’s premier sports retailers.

He became group buying director in 2014, which meant he also oversaw the fashion brands the company owned, as well as its Size

His new role comes as the business continues to expand in its core sports area. It has sold off many smaller fashion-focused labels to concentrate on sports and plans to open between 250 and 300 new JD stores annually.

Schultz said that the new global MD “has been pivotal in the group’s success to date, and brings unrivalled knowledge and understanding of our consumer to our management team”.

He added that he’s “respected by colleagues and brand partners as one of the leading market authorities on what works and why, making him the right person to take the JD brand through its next chapter of growth”.