The WH Smith PLC Main Board is led by the Chairman and includes three non-executive directors and two executive directors, with support from the Company Secretary.
The Management Team comprises the Chief Executive, the Group Finance Director and the Group Strategy Director. It is a committee of the Board and is responsible for the delivery of business performance targets.
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Robert Walker joined the Board as a non-executive director in January 2005 and became Chairman on 1 February 2005. He began his career in marketing at Proctor & Gamble, then spent six years at McKinsey & Co. before joining PepsiCo International in 1976. He worked for PepsiCo Inc. for over 22 years, where he was a Division President responsible for the company's beverage business in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. In May 1996 Robert joined the Board of Severn Trent Plc as a non-executive director and became Chief Executive in August 2000. Robert is a non-executive director of Wolseley Plc and Signet Group plc. Aged 62. |
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Kate Swann was appointed Chief Executive and joined the Board in November 2003. She started her career at Tesco Plc as a Marketing Executive, before moving on to positions at Homepride Foods, Coca Cola Schweppes and Dixons Stores Group. She then worked for Homebase, ultimately as Managing Director, and in 2000 was made Managing Director of Argos. She is a non-executive director of The British Land Company PLC. Aged 43. |
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Alan Stewart was appointed Group Finance Director and joined the Board in March 2005. He joined Thomas Cook UK Limited in 1998 as Group Treasurer and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in the same year. In 2001 he was appointed Chief Executive of Thomas Cook UK Limited and became a member of the Thomas Cook AG Board. He is a non-executive director of Games Workshop Group PLC. Aged 47. |
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John Barton joined the Board in November 1999. He retired as Chairman of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC in December 2001, having formerly been the Chief Executive of Jardine Insurance Brokers Group PLC. He is a non-executive director of Hammerson plc and non-executive chairman of Next plc. Aged 63. |
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Mike Ellis joined the Board in March 2005 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee. From 2001, until the end of October 2004, Mike was Group Finance Director of HBOS plc, the UK's largest mortgage and savings provider. Prior to this, for fourteen years, Mike worked in a number of senior executive positions at Halifax plc and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in October 1999. Aged 56. |
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Luke Mayhew joined the Board in July 2005. He was Managing Director of John Lewis from 2000 to December 2004, prior to which, from 1992 to 2000, he was Development Director of the John Lewis Partnership. He is Chairman of Pets at Home Group Limited, Chairman of Bank Store Holdings Limited, and a non-executive director of Brambles Industries plc. Aged 54. |
Ian Houghton is Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and joined the Company in June 1996. He qualified as a solicitor in October 1992 and immediately prior to joining WHSmith was employed as a solicitor by the RSPCA. Aged 41.
The Audit, Nominations and Remuneration committees have written terms of reference that define their role, responsibilities and membership.
The Audit Committee meets at least three times a year. Its responsibilities include monitoring the integrity and clarity of the Company's results and financial statements; reviewing the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls and risk management systems; reviewing the effectiveness of the Company's internal audit function; and assessing the independence and objectivity of the external auditors. Members of the Audit Committee are Mike Ellis (Chairman), John Barton and Luke Mayhew.
The Nominations Committee advises the Board on the appointment of Directors and meets when necessary. Its responsibilities include regular reviews of the structure, size and composition of the Board; giving full consideration to succession planning; and evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the Board. Members of the Nominations Committee are Robert Walker (Chairman), John Barton, Mike Ellis and Kate Swann.
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for determining and agreeing with the Board the broad policy for the remuneration of the Chairman, executive directors and certain other senior executives; and in consultation with the Chairman and/or Chief Executive as appropriate, determining the total individual remuneration package of each executive director and other senior executives including bonuses and share incentives. Members of the Remuneration Committee are John Barton (Chairman), Luke Mayhew and Mike Ellis.
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Kate Swann was appointed Chief Executive and joined the Board in November 2003. She started her career at Tesco Plc as a Marketing Executive, before moving on to positions at Homepride Foods, Coca Cola Schweppes and Dixons Stores Group. She then worked for Homebase, ultimately as Managing Director, and in 2000 was made Managing Director of Argos. She is a non-executive director of The British Land Company PLC. Aged 43. |
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Alan Stewart was appointed Group Finance Director and joined the Board in March 2005. Prior to this Alan was Chief Executive of Thomas Cook UK Ltd. Alan joined Thomas Cook Holdings Ltd in 1988 as Group Treasurer and was appointed Group Financial Officer in the same year. In 2001 he was appointed Chief Executive of Thomas Cook UK Ltd and became a member of the Thomas Cook AG Board. Alan is a non-executive director of Games Workshop Group plc. Aged 46. |
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Neil Monnery is Group Strategy Director. He joined WHSmith in March 2004 and was previously a Senior Vice President and director at the Boston Consulting Group. He joined BCG in 1984 and was head of BCG's UK Consumer and Retail practice where his work for retailers focused on revenue improvement, cost reduction, growth, organisation and corporate strategy. Aged 46. |