Board Changes

RNS Number : 7312R

WH Smith PLC

22 November 2012

 



                                                                                                            22 November 2012

BOARD CHANGES

WH Smith PLC today announces the appointment of Annemarie Durbin as a Non-Executive Director and the retirement of Mike Ellis as a Non-Executive Director.

WHSmith announces that Annemarie Durbin will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 3 December 2012.

Annemarie Durbin has excellent international experience and a good understanding of the consumer retail environment.  She is currently Group Head of Corporate Governance, Property, Environment and Security at Standard Chartered PLC.  Other than as set out in this announcement there are no further disclosures required in respect of Annemarie Durbin under paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules.

WHSmith also announces that Mike Ellis who has served as a Non-Executive Director for nearly eight years is retiring from the Board at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 23 January 2013 and will not be seeking re-election.

WHSmith's Chairman, Walker Boyd said:

"We are delighted to welcome Annemarie Durbin on to the Board of WH Smith.  With her 20 years of international retail and commercial banking experience, Annemarie will be a valuable member of the Board.

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

-Ends -

Enquiries:

WH Smith PLC

Nicola Hillman                                    Media Relations                                  020 7851 8850

Mark Boyle                                         Investor Relations                               020 7851 8820

 

Brunswick

Simon Sporborg/Catriona McDermott                                                           020 7404 5959

Notes to Editor:

Annemarie joined Standard Chartered in 1995.  She has held senior roles in Wholesale Banking, including Head of Financial Institutions for Europe and Africa, and had global responsibility for the Development Organisation client segment.  Annemarie has held Consumer Banking head roles in the Philippines and Thailand and has been Chief Executive Officer in both countries.  Since returning to the UK in 2006, Annemarie has held a number of group support function roles including Head of Resourcing and Reward (within Human Resources) and Group Head of Corporate Affairs.  Annemarie was appointed Group Company Secretary and Group Head of Secretariat in 2007.  In February 2012 this role expanded to cover the Group's Corporate Real Estate Services function.  Age 49.

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