Board Changes

RNS Number : 1970N

WH Smith PLC

08 June 2010

 



                                                                                                                        8 June 2010

WH SMITH PLC

BOARD CHANGES

WH Smith PLC today announces the appointment of Walker Boyd as Non-Executive Chairman and the retirement of Robert Walker, the current Non-Executive Chairman.

Walker Boyd re-joined the Board on 1 February 2010 as a Non-Executive Director and will become Chairman on 1 September 2010.  He succeeds Robert Walker, who has been Chairman of WH Smith PLC since February 2005.  Mr Walker will retire from the Board on 31 August 2010.

Kate Swann, Group Chief Executive, WH Smith PLC said:

"The Board and I are delighted that Walker Boyd has agreed to become Chairman of WHSmith.  Walker has extensive retail and finance experience which will serve the Company and its shareholders well.

"On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Robert for his valued contribution to WHSmith and, personally, for the support he has given me in his role as Chairman of WHSmith.  Robert leaves with our very best wishes for the future."

Walker Boyd, said: "I am excited at the opportunities that lie ahead for WHSmith and I look forward to working closely with Kate and her team."

WHSmith also announces that Luke Mayhew, Non-Executive Director, is stepping down from the Board with effect from 31 August 2010 and the appointment of Henry Staunton as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 September 2010.

Henry Staunton has extensive finance and retail expertise.  He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Legal and General plc, Merchants Trust plc, Capital and Counties Properties plc and New Look Retail Group Limited.  Other than as set out in this announcement there are no further disclosures required in respect of Henry Staunton under paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules.

WHSmith's Chairman, Robert Walker said:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Luke for his contribution to the Group.  He leaves with our thanks and good wishes for the future.

"We are delighted to welcome Henry Staunton on to the Board of WHSmith.  With his retail and finance experience, Henry will be a valuable member of the Board".

"For my part, I wish the Board, Kate and the management team every success in the future."

Notes:

Henry Staunton was previously the Finance Director of ITV PLC from 2003 until 2006 and a non-executive director of Ladbrokes PLC from 2006 until May 2010.

- ENDS -

Enquiries:

WH Smith PLC

Mark Boyle                             Investor Relations                              020 7851 8820

Sarah Heath                          Media Relations                                020 7851 8850

Brunswick

Tom Buchanan                                                                                  020 7404 5959

 

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