Change to Board of Directors

Smith WH PLC
20 June 2000


NEW GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR AT WHSMITH PLC


WHSmith PLC today (20 June) announced the appointment of John Warren as  Group
Finance Director, in succession to Keith Hamill.

John  Warren  (47),  currently  Group  Finance  Director  of  United  Biscuits
(Holdings) plc, will be joining the Board of WHSmith on 1 September  2000  and
will become Group Finance Director on that date.

John  Warren joined United Biscuits in 1981, initially at their corporate Head
Office  before  becoming Finance Director of the largest  operating  division,
McVitie's  UK.   Since becoming Group Finance Director in 1991,  he  has  been
closely  involved  in  the  expansion  of  United  Biscuits,  particularly  in
Continental Europe and the Far East.

Before joining United Biscuits John Warren was a Consultant with Arthur  Young
(now Ernst and Young) Chartered Accountants.

Richard  Handover,  Chief  Executive WHSmith PLC, said:  'I  am  delighted  to
welcome John to WHSmith at a very important time for the Group.  He is a  very
experienced  Finance  Director and will play a key  role  as  we  continue  to
develop the business.'

John  Warren said: 'I am really looking forward to joining WHSmith at probably
the  most exciting time in its history.  The current management team have  put
together an excellent platform for the future development of the brand and the
business and I believe I can make a real contribution in the future.'



Enquiries:
Sian Wood, WHSmith PLC                              020 7514 9624



Note  to  Editors:  

A  native of Derby, John Warren was  educated  at  Bristol
University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1977.  Married with  two
children, he lives in Twickenham.