Holding(s) in Company

WH Smith PLC
14 April 2008



                                                                    

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES


(1). Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which
voting rights are attached:

WH SMITH PLC


2. Reason for the notification (please state Yes/No): (   )

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights:                               (YES)

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result 
in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are 
attached:                                                                  (NO )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights:                          (NO )

Other (please specify) :                                                   (NO )


 
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS LTD
 

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

VIDACOS NOMINEES
 

5. Date of the transaction and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached
if different):

11 APRIL 2008
 

6. Date on which issuer notified:

14 APRIL 2008
 

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

10%
 

8. Notified details:


 


A: Voting rights attached to shares

 
Class/type of shares            Situation previous to  
if possible using the           the Triggering         
ISIN CODE                       transaction        
                       Number of shares       Number of voting Rights 


GB00B2PDGW16              16,074,023             16,074,023
 

                     Resulting situation after the triggering transaction 
 
Class/type of shares Number of shares  Number of voting rights    % of voting rights  
if possible using                                                                 
the ISIN CODE                                                                         
                                       Direct     Indirect        Direct    Indirect  

GB00B2PDGW16         14,992,968        5,404,910   9,588,058      3.429%     6.084%    
 

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction 

Type of     Expiration Date  Exercise/Conversion Number of voting     % of voting     
financial                    Period/ Date        rights that may be   rights          
instrument                                       acquired if the                      
                                                 instrument is                        
                                                 exercised/                           
                                                 converted.                           

 

Total (A+B)
Number of voting rights       % of voting rights 

14,992,968                       9.513%
 

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the
financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:


STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS LTD


Proxy Voting:

 
10. Name of the proxy holder:


 

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:


 

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:


 

13. Additional information:


 

14. Contact name:

ALISON KENNEDY
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MANAGER - ENGAGEMENT
STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS LTD
 

15. Contact telephone number:

[phone]


 
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