Future Board Appointment

RNS Number : 5905K

Smiths News PLC

22 April 2010

 



Smiths News PLC

Future Board Appointment

Smiths News PLC ("Smiths News" or the "Company"), the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers, magazines and books, is pleased to announce that Nick Gresham currently Finance Director of Homebase, a wholly owned subsidiary of Home Retail Group, will join the Company as Chief Financial Officer.

Nick has spent eight years in senior financial roles at Home Retail Group.  Prior to this he was Head of Strategic Finance at GUS and held key financial roles at Virgin Music Group Ltd and Debenhams Plc.

Nick will succeed Alan Humphrey who, as announced on 1 March 2010, is retiring.  Alan will remain with the Group until a smooth transition has been achieved; and Nick's effective start date will be announced shortly.

Mark Cashmore, Group Chief Executive of Smiths News PLC, commented:

"I am delighted to welcome Nick to Smiths News.  He brings a wealth of experience and will be a valuable addition to the Board as we look to further develop and grow our business."

Enquiries:

Smiths News PLC	Tel: [phone]
Mark Cashmore, Group Chief Executive Alan Humphrey, Group Finance Director
Buchanan Communications	Tel: [phone]
Mark Edwards / Jeremy Garcia / Chris McMahon

About Smiths News PLC:

Smiths News PLC comprises Smiths News, the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers and magazines and Bertrams, a leading UK book wholesaler. The Company was formed on 1 September 2006 following the demerger of WH Smith PLC.

Smiths News distributes newspapers and magazines on behalf of all the major national publishers as well as a large number of regional publishers. The business serves approximately 30,000 customers across England and Wales, supplying large general retailers as well as smaller independent newsagents. Smiths News has an approximate 55% share of the newspaper and magazine wholesaling market in the UK. In addition to its distribution activities, Smiths News collects and processes returns, supplies sales information to publishers and provides a range of services for its retail customers.

Bertrams, which was acquired on 20 March 2009, supplies books to a mix of independent booksellers, on-line and multiple retailers, and libraries. Bertrams has an approximate 45% share of the wholesale book market.

The Company operates from 62 distribution centres across England and Wales, and employs 5,586 staff. 

 

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