JD Sports Fashion plc ('JD' or the 'Group'), a leading global omni-channel retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, today announces the appointments of John Mersho as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JD fascia in North America, and Mike Grimes as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for JD Group, effective immediately.
The appointments reflect the Group's continued focus on capturing the significant growth opportunity we see for JD in North America, while also enhancing the Group's position as a market leader and its unique customer proposition.
John Mersho, who has held the role of Chief Commercial Officer for JD North America since 2025, steps into his new position following the retirement of John Hall after a four-decade career in retail. As a member of the Mersho family who founded Shoe Palace in 1993 - eventually becoming CEO in 2024 - John Mersho's deep industry roots, strong brand relationships and passion for retail position him as the outstanding candidate to lead JD North America into its next chapter.
In his new role, John will focus on strengthening JD's product proposition, enhancing the customer's omni-channel experience, and expanding its brand awareness and presence across North America.
In addition, Mike Grimes takes on the role of CMO for JD Group. Mike has worked with JD (and previously Finish Line) North America for nearly twenty years, having most recently held the position of CMO for the business. His unique skillset, combined with his ability to balance creative vision with commercial outcomes are a strong fit for this important role.
As Group CMO, Mike will lead the long-term direction of the JD brand globally, ensuring a consistent vision across markets while enabling local teams to connect authentically with customers. He will also help strengthen the Group's customer proposition by leveraging the scale of our brands, own-brand portfolio, customer insights and global brand partnerships.
Régis Schultz, Group CEO of JD Sports Fashion plc, said: "These appointments represent an important step in the next phase of JD's growth. John and Mike are outstanding leaders - both well-tenured within our business, bringing extensive experience and deep knowledge of the markets we operate in. Together, they will play a critical role in delivering against our strategy, enhancing the experience of our customers, and driving sustainable growth across JD. I'm delighted to welcome them to their new roles and look forward to working closely with them.
"As John Hall retires, I'd like to share my sincere thanks for his remarkable contribution to JD. Having begun his career on the shop floor at Nordstrom, John played a key role in the evolution of our North American business, culminating in his appointment as CEO in 2023. On behalf of all at JD, I wish him all the best in his retirement."
John Mersho, President & CEO of JD North America, commented: "The opportunity to lead the North American arm of one of the most dynamic retailers in the world is rare and I'm honoured to take on the position. Our teams have worked hard to build strong foundations for growth across the region and I'm looking forward to capitalising on the opportunities that lie ahead. Our focus remains on delivering JD's differentiated proposition to customers, partnering with the right brands to do so and expanding our presence in the North American market."
Mike Grimes, Group CMO of JD Sports Fashion plc, said: "JD has built a powerful brand with a clear point of differentiation and strong momentum across several international markets. I'm excited to lead the next phase of its brand and marketing evolution, working closely with our fascias and brand partners around the world to further strengthen our cultural relevance, curate compelling customer experiences and support the Group's growth plans."
JD Group is one of the world's largest retailers of premium trend and style athleisure, performance and outdoor brands for footwear and apparel. North America is JD Group's largest region, accounting for 38% of Group sales in FY26 (c.£4.8bn), with a portfolio of fascias that includes JD, Hibbett, Shoe Palace, DTLR, Finish Line (within Macy's), as well as standalone Finish Line stores that are in the process of being converted to JD. With over 2,500 stores in North America, each of its fascias has a different role to play within the market, addressing different customer demographics, styles and trends.
JD Group is hosting a field trip for analysts and investors on 13-15 October 2026 in Florida, to learn more about our progress in North America and visit stores. Management of key North American fascias, including John Mersho, will be in attendance.