The Board of WH Smith PLC ("the Board") is pleased to announce that the sale of its publishing business, Hodder Headline, to Hachette Livre, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lagardère S.C.A., completed on 25 September 2004.
The Board also announces the resignation of Tim Hely Hutchinson as a Director of WH Smith PLC and Chairman of WHSmith News. Neil Monnery, Group Strategy Director, is appointed Chairman of WHSmith News with immediate effect.
The Return of Cash to Shareholders is now being implemented and it is expected that New Ordinary Shares and C Shares in WHSmith will be admitted to the London Stock Exchange's Official List and will commence trading at 8.00 a.m. today. Further details of the Return of Cash are contained in the Circular to Shareholders dated 27 August 2004.
On admission, a total of 180,405,000 New Ordinary Shares of 2 13/81 pence each and 250,562,500 C Shares of 85 pence each will be in issue.
All definitions used in the Circular to Shareholders dated 27 August 2004 apply to this announcement.
Enquiries to -
WH Smith Media Relations: Louise Evans, 020 7851 8850
WH Smith Investor Relations: Mark Boyle, 020 7851 8820
Brunswick: Louise Charlton/Tom Buchanan, 020 7404 5959