JD Sports Fashion has appointed former IKEA chief executive Peter Agnefjäll as its new chair, ending a months-long selection process.

Agnefjäll has decades of experience in retail, having worked at IKEA for a combined 18 years across two employment periods and serving as the furniture retailer’s chief executive and president for four years between 2013 and 2017.

In the years since, he has also held non-executive director and advisory positions at airline Wizz Air, the footwear retailer Deichmann, the Dutch-Belgian retail and wholesale holding company Ahold Delhaize, and industrial investment firm Orkla SA.

He will assume the role from 1 September, succeeding interim chair Darren Shapland.

Commenting on the announcement, Shapland said: “On behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome Peter as Chair. He brings an exceptional combination of international retail leadership, Board experience and a proven track record of overseeing growth and transformation in complex global businesses.

“His experience and perspective will be invaluable to JD's Board and executive team as the Group continues to execute against its strategic objectives and capitalise on the significant opportunities ahead."

Shapland will remain at the retailer as an independent director, having fulfilled the chair’s responsibilities following the sudden exit of Andrew ‌Higginson in April. Higginson had surprised analysts with his departure and kicked off a search process for a full-time successor.

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