Sports Direct has hired outsider Liam Rowley as its head of strategic investments. The company is also looking to expand into the UK and Ireland, with a focus on sports channels such as Sky Sports, BT Sport and Setanta Sports. It may come as no surprise to anyone in the City that the hiring of Sports Direct’s new head of strategic investments — the man who must persuade investors of the merits of its opportunistic bets on other retailers — was hardly conventional. It recently raised its stake in Debenhams to 29.7% and is also negotiating with Findel over a commercial supply deal. As part of the talks with Findel, Rowley has struck a deal to observe its board to help facilitate the supply tie-up.
Sports Direct has hired outsider Liam Rowley as its head of strategic investments. The company is also looking to expand into the UK and Ireland, with a focus on sports channels such as Sky Sports, BT Sport and Setanta Sports. It recently raised its stake in Debenhams to 29.7% and is also negotiating with Findel over a commercial supply deal. As part of the talks with Findel, Rowley has struck a deal to observe its board to help facilitate the supply tie-up.