WH Smith travel boss to retire after 34-year stint
SIMON Marinker, managing director of WH Smith’s travel business division, is to retire after 34 years, the company said yesterday.
The travel arm generates roughly half of the group’s profits through outlets in airports and stations across the globe.
WH Smith praised Marinker for providing “years of outstanding service” and said he would remain involved with the business as a consultant.
WH Smith opened seven new overseas branches in the 18 weeks to 2 July. It now has 47 of these sites, including stores in Australia and Kuwait, and is expected to open more.
Meanwhile the company said the high street retail business continued to deliver a “solid performance” due to a focus on gross margin gains and keeping a lid on costs.
WH Smith will present its full-year preliminary results on 13 October.