What: Frasers Group appoints Jacky Wright, former McKinsey and Microsoft executive, as non-executive director to strengthen its board’s digital and AI expertise for the next phase of its Elevation Strategy.

Why it is important: This appointment signals Frasers Group’s commitment to embedding digital and AI leadership at the highest level, positioning the company for future growth and innovation.

Frasers Group is set to appoint Jacky Wright, a seasoned leader in digital transformation and AI, as a non-executive director, pending final board approval. Wright brings extensive experience from her roles as chief technology and platform officer at McKinsey & Company and chief digital officer at Microsoft, as well as senior positions at BP, GE, and HMRC. CEO Michael Murray and chair Sir Jon Thompson both emphasized that Wright’s expertise will be instrumental in advancing the group’s Elevation Strategy and AI agenda. This move comes as Frasers Group continues to invest in digital innovation, omnichannel retail, and data-driven customer engagement across its portfolio, which includes Sports Direct, House of Fraser, Flannels, Game, and Jack Wills. The appointment reflects the group’s ambition to lead in retail technology and signals a broader industry trend of prioritizing digital and AI expertise at the board level.

IADS Notes:

Frasers Group’s appointment of Jacky Wright as a non-executive director underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation and innovation. As reported by Fashion Network in May 2025, the group’s Elevate retail media network launch is a key pillar of its Elevation Strategy, leveraging data and omnichannel advertising to drive new revenue streams and enhance brand engagement . Drapers in May 2025 highlighted the rollout of unified loyalty schemes and digital platforms, reflecting Frasers’ board-level focus on customer engagement and digital leadership . Fashion Network in June 2025 and Retail Week in October 2024 detailed the group’s aggressive expansion and reimagining of physical retail, including new concept stores and major shopping centre acquisitions . Retail Week in July 2025 and Financial Times in October 2024 noted Frasers’ resilience and strategic property investments, even as the group navigated mixed results and profit forecast revisions . Finally, Fashion Network in July 2025 reported on Debenhams Group’s multi-year AI partnership with AWS, illustrating the growing importance of digital and AI expertise at the board level for retail transformation .

Frasers Group appoints new non-executive director