REG - WH Smith PLC - Directorate Change

WH SmithAnnouncement

08/06/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 0687O  WH Smith PLC  08 June 2022

 
            8 June 2022

 

WH Smith PLC

 

BOARD APPOINTMENT

 

Appointment of Annette Court as a Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate

 

WH Smith PLC is pleased to announce that it has appointed Annette Court as a
non-executive director and Chair Designate.  Annette will join the Board on 1
September 2022 and will succeed Henry Staunton as Chair on 1 December 2022.
Henry Staunton will retire from the Board on 30 November 2022, after nine
years as Chairman.

 

Annette Court is currently chair of Admiral Group plc and a non-executive
director of Sage Group plc.  She was previously the CEO of Europe General
Insurance for Zurich Financial Services and was a member of the Group
Executive Committee from 2007 to 2010.  Annette was also the CEO of Direct
Line Group (formerly RBS Insurance) from 2001 to 2006 and a member of the RBS
Group Executive Management Committee.  She has also been a member of the
Board of the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

 

Simon Emeny, Senior Independent Director, said "We are very pleased to have
appointed a Chair of Annette's calibre.  The Company conducted a
comprehensive search and Annette emerged as the outstanding candidate.  She
has a proven track record as a Chair of a publicly quoted company and brings a
wealth of experience from her Board appointments and has a strong background
in financial services and technology.

 

"Annette's appointment will enable a smooth transition from Henry who has led
the Company successfully throughout his tenure as Chairman.  On behalf of the
Board, I would like to thank Henry for the outstanding contribution he has
made to the success of WH Smith.  He has successfully guided the Company
through an exceptional period of growth and helped it overcome the impact of
the pandemic.  We wish him well in the future."

 

Henry Staunton said: "It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of this
very special Company which celebrates its 230(th) Anniversary this year.  I
wish Annette every success as she joins the Board at a very exciting time for
the Company as it continues to recover following the pandemic."

 

Annette Court commented: "I am very excited to have the opportunity to succeed
Henry as Chair of WH Smith in its 230(th) year.  I look forward to working
with Carl and the management team to grow the business and take advantage of
the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead."

 

Carl Cowling, CEO, said: "I would like to thank Henry for his wise counsel,
guidance and support during my tenure as CEO.  Henry has played a key role in
contributing to the Company's success and I would like to wish him well for
the future.  I am very much looking forward to working with Annette as we
continue to expand the scale and footprint of the business and benefit from
the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead of us."

 

The Directors have determined that upon appointment Annette Court will be
independent.

 

Other than as set out in this announcement there are no further disclosures
required in respect of Annette Court under paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing
Rules.

 

 

 

I Houghton

Company Secretary

 

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

WH Smith PLC

Mark Boyle                          Investor
Relations             07879 897687

Nicola Hillman                    Media Relations
     01793 563354

 

Brunswick

Tim Danaher
                                  020 7404 5959

 

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