WH Smith seeks fresh blood
Directors leave struggling retailer
January 14 2004
WH Smith is looking for two new retail executives after parting company with three of its old guard.
The new broom wielded by chief executive Kate Swann as she seeks to implement a recovery at the underperforming business has swept away brand manager Muriel Sterling, stores director Richard Street and WH Smith Direct managing director of Bob Broadbridge, who have left the company.
The latest departures follow Swann’s decision to take direct control of the UK retail business. a move which saw head of UK retail Beverley Hodson leave two weeks ago.
WH Smith is now looking for new commercial and finance directors, along with a marketing director.
The company said: “The restructuring will simplify and consolidate the leadership of the business and enable external searches to begin with the aim of strengthening the management team.”
WH Smith faces increasing competition for sales of core product categories such as entertainment, as supermarkets and online retailers grow sales of products such as DVDs and CDs.
