Sports Direct retail chief leaves after 28 years

Sports Direct’s head of retail operations, Karen Byers, is stepping down from her position with immediate effect after 28 years, the Press Association has reported.

Byers joined Sports Direct soon after it was founded by Mike Ashley, and has been described by him as the person who “runs Sports Direct”. Insiders have also said she was the “glue that holds it all together”.

No replacement has been hired and Byers was said to have announced her departure in a conference call on Monday (1 July).

Ashley told the Press Association that she would be welcomed back if she chose to return.

Byers joined the Sports Direct on a zero hours contract before being appointed its head of retail operations in 2007.