The appointment of a new chief executive at major UK sportswear retailer JJB Sports, after just under a year-long search, will comfort the company's shareholders, particularly given the unsettling exit of its previous boss.

JJB has appointed electronics executive Keith Jones, the group retail director of DSG International, after what it describes as an "an intensive search" by board members.

Just last January JJB was announcing that CEO Chris Ronnie had been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into the disposal of his stake in the company.

A month later JJB put its then recently-acquired Original Shoe Company (OSC) and Qube footwear outlets into administration - putting 77 stores and up to 800 jobs at risk - sparking a turbulent year of losses and credit worries for the Wigan-based firm.

Matters have improved in recent months, no doubt aided by the expertise of Sir David Jones, the former boss of clothing giant Next, who was drafted in as chairman shortly before Ronnie departed.

Indeed, JJB was saved from a possible collapse in April by a creditor vote in favour of company voluntary arrangements (CVA) proposals - to pay off landlords of closed stores with one-off payments instead of ongoing rent.

Furthermore, JJB confirmed details of a GBP100m (US$158m) rights issue designed to boost the company's future trading position in October.

However, it will be no bed of roses for the new man.

In September, for instance, JJB posted an adjusted loss before taxation GBP46.0m (US$74.4m) for the 26 weeks to 26 July 2009, from GBP13.9m in the same period last year.

Jones also faces the task of embedding a new 'Serious about Sport' strategy at the retailer, which focuses more on brands like Nike and Adidas than 'down market brands'.

He says: "I am pleased to be joining JJB at such an exciting time in its development. Now that the group has resolved its financial issues it has a real opportunity to assume leadership in the sports retail sector.

"I am looking forward to working with Sir David and the experienced management team to transform their ambitious plans into a reality."

He has also previously held the positions of managing director PC City Europe and managing director, PC City Spain at DSG, and while international expansion is unlikely to be a priority for JJB, this experience obviously appealed to its board.

Sir David says: "I am delighted to welcome someone of Keith's calibre as chief executive. JJB has been through a lot in the past year but we have now reached a stage where we have the funding, the strategy and the team to plan for the future.

"I am looking forward to working closely with him to ensure the group's commercial and financial success."

While JJB has been weathering the storms of recession in anticipation of better times, it will no doubt be hoping that Keith Jones is worth the wait.