Sports Direct announces independent review of working practices

The so-called "360 degree" review was initially to be led by the retailer's law firm RPC.

However, the Mike Ashley-owned firm said on Tuesday that following discussions with shareholders, including the influential Investor Forum, the review "will now be led by an independent party other than RPC".

"The board has made this decision after listening to shareholder feedback at the recent AGM/Open Day and during subsequent consultation with a number of the company's long-standing shareholders via the Investor Forum," Sports Direct said.

The Investor Forum consists of investors holding assets worth more than £14 trillion and the move comes after independent shareholders rebelled at the retailer's AGM, with 53% opposing the re-election of chairman Keith Hellawell.

The company has faced sharp criticism over corporate governance and working practices at its warehouse in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, after it was revealed that some warehouse staff were paid below the national minimum wage.

Sports Direct has moved to address concerns by offering casual retail staff guaranteed hours instead of zero hours contracts and ensuring all warehouse staff are paid above the national minimum wage following an initial review by RPC.

In addition, the company said that the selection process for having a workers' representative on the retailer's board will be via "democratic staff elections, in which it is anticipated that all staff directly engaged or employed by Sports Direct may vote".