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Our Board

Our Board

The WH Smith PLC Board is led by the Chair and includes a senior independent director, four non-executive directors and two executive directors, with support from the Company Secretary.

Annette Court, Chair

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Annette Court, Chair

Annette Court was appointed as Chair on 1 December 2022, having joined the Board on 1 September 2022 as Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

Annette brings a wealth of experience from her Board appointments and has a strong background in financial services and technology. She is the Senior Independent Director of Sage Group plc. She was previously the CEO of Europe General Insurance for Zurich Financial Services, the CEO of Direct Line Group (formerly RBS Insurance) and Chair of Admiral Group plc. She has also been a member of the Board of Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Carl Cowling, Group Chief Executive

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Carl Cowling, Group Chief Executive

Carl Cowling joined the WH Smith PLC Board in February 2019, and was appointed Group Chief Executive on 1 November 2019. Carl spent his first 3 years at WH Smith as Managing Director, WH Smith Travel across all UK and International operations, becoming Managing Director of WH Smith High Street in 2017.

Carl has spent much of his career in the electrical retail industry including over a decade at Dixons where he held roles of Ecommerce Director, Commercial Director and Managing Director of the airport retailing business Dixons Travel. Prior to joining WH Smith, he held the role of Managing Director Global partnerships at Carphone Warehouse.

Robert Moorhead, Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

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Robert Moorhead, Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Robert Moorhead joined the WH Smith PLC Board in December 2008, having joined the Group in 2004 as Finance Director - Retail. Robert was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for WH Smith PLC in 2013. Robert is also a Non-Executive Director of Watches of Switzerland Group PLC. Previously, Robert was Group Finance Director at Specsavers Optical Group in 2002, and Finance and IT Director of World Duty Free Europe Ltd in 2001. Robert held a number of roles at B&Q and Kingfisher Group which he joined in 1991. Robert started his career at Price Waterhouse.

Colette Burke, Non-Executive Director

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Colette Burke, Non-Executive Director

Colette Burke joined the WH Smith PLC Board on 1 July 2023 as a Non-Executive Director. Colette is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the LEGO Group, responsible for the Group's global commercial strategy. Prior to joining the LEGO Group, she had a 25 year career at consumer electronics company, Bose Corporation as Global Head of Sales and Marketing, and across a wide range of commercial, general management and marketing leadership roles at a global, regional and national level, including 19 years working in the United States.

Nicky Dulieu, Non-Executive Director

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Nicky Dulieu, Non-Executive Director

Nicky Dulieu joined the WH Smith PLC Board in September 2020. Nicky trained as an accountant with Marks & Spencer Group plc and held various strategic and financial roles with Marks & Spencer over a 23 year period. In 2006, Nicky joined the Board of Hobbs Limited as Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director, and was Chief Executive from 2008 until 2014. Nicky is a non-executive director at Redrow Plc, The Unite Group PLC, Adnams Plc and the John Lewis Partnership plc.

Simon Emeny, Senior Independent Director

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Simon Emeny, Senior Independent Director

Simon Emeny joined the WH Smith PLC Board as Non-Executive Director in February 2019 and was appointed Senior Independent Director in January 2020. Simon joined Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC in 1996 from Bass plc where he held a variety of senior operational strategic planning roles. Simon was appointed to the Fuller, Smith & Turner Board as Retail Director in May 1998, Managing Director, Fuller’s Inns in July 2006, Group Managing Director in November 2010 and Chief Executive in July 2013. Simon is also Non-Executive Director of National Gallery Global Limited. Simon previously held the position of Senior Independent Director and chair of the Remuneration Committee of Dunelm Group plc. Simon is an economics graduate and alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Situl Jobanputra, Non-Executive Director

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Situl Jobanputra, Non-Executive Director

Situl joined the WH Smith PLC Board on 1st March 2024 as a Non-Executive Director. Situl is Chief Financial Officer of Shaftesbury Capital PLC, having joined the company 10 years ago and served on its board since 2017. Situl is an experienced corporate financier, having previously worked in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate broking and real estate investment banking, latterly at Deutsche Bank.

Helen Rose, Non-Executive Director

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Helen Rose, Non-Executive Director

Helen Rose joined the WH Smith PLC Board on 1 July 2024 as a Non-Executive Director. Helen is a chartered accountant and former senior finance and operations leader with considerable experience in multi-site retail and financial services sectors. She is also a Non-Executive Director of Greencore plc.

Ian Houghton, Company Secretary

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Ian Houghton, Company Secretary

Ian Houghton joined the WH Smith PLC Board in September 1998. Ian is Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services. Ian qualified as a solicitor in October 1992 and immediately prior to joining WH Smith in June 1996 was employed as a solicitor by the RSPCA.

Board Committees

The Audit, Nominations, Remuneration, Disclosure and ESG 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 Nicky Dulieu (Chair), Colette Burke, Simon Emeny, Situl Jobanputra and Helen Rose.

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 Annette Court (Chair), Colette Burke, Carl Cowling, Nicky Dulieu, Simon Emeny, Situl Jobanputra and Helen Rose.

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 Group 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 Colette Burke, Nicky Dulieu (Chair), Simon Emeny, Situl Jobanputra and Helen Rose.

The Disclosure Committee is responsible for ensuring the company meets its legal and regulatory obligations and requirements arising from its listing on the London Stock Exchange, ensuring timely and accurate disclosure of information. Members of the Disclosure Committee are all of the WH Smith PLC directors and the Company Secretary.

The ESG Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing Company strategies, policies and performance in relation to environmental, social and governance matters and ensuring those strategies are integrated with the core business strategy of the Group. The Committee is also responsible for developing key performance indicators, approving short, medium and long-term ESG targets and monitoring progress towards achievement of those targets on a regular basis. Members of the ESG Committee are Situl Jobanputra (Chair), Colette Burke, Carl Cowling, Nicky Dulieu, Simon Emeny and Helen Rose.