AGM Statement

Smith WH PLC
29 January 2004


                                                                 29 January 2004

                                  WH Smith PLC
                             Annual General Meeting

At the WH Smith PLC Annual General Meeting, being held today at 11:30am, Richard
Handover, Chairman, will make a statement to shareholders including reference to
the following developments: -

Completion of Sale of US Hotels Business

Further to the announcement on 18 September 2003 of the sale of its US Hotels
business, WH Smith PLC today announces the completion of the sale to Travel
Traders LLC, with the final closure of the head office of WHSmith USA in Atlanta
scheduled for 31 March 2004.

Following the sale of its US retailing businesses, WH Smith PLC also announces
that it will commence a review of its strategic options for WHSmith Asia
Pacific.

Board Changes

As previously stated in the Annual Report 2003, following today's AGM, Michael
Orr retires from the Board. WH Smith PLC also announces today that Patrick Lupo,
Non-Executive Director, will retire from the Board in March 2004 following 10
year's service.

WH Smith PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Walker Boyd as a
Non-Executive Director. Walker Boyd is Finance Director of Signet Group plc. His
appointment is effective from 3 March 2004.

Richard Handover, Chairman of WH Smith PLC, commented:

'On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank both Michael and Patrick
for their contributions to WHSmith. They have brought a wealth of business
experience to the Board and they leave with our thanks and good wishes for the
future. I am delighted that Walker Boyd has agreed to join WHSmith. He brings
with him extensive retail experience and he will be an excellent addition to the
Board.

'Following the completion of the final part of the sale of WHSmith USA Travel
Retail, we will now turn our attention to the search for a new chairman to
succeed me.'

Walker Boyd, Finance Director of Signet Group plc, said: 'I look forward to
joining the WHSmith Board and contributing to the future of the Group.'

Christmas Trading Statement

Kate Swann, Group Chief Executive, will give a brief explanation of Christmas
trading in response to a number of questions from smaller shareholders. This
explanation summarises the information that has already been shared with
analysts and the media. Details will be available to view online at
www.whsmithplc.com/grp/media_1.htm

Interim Results 2004

The Group intends to announce the interim results for the 6 months to 29
February 2004 on 22 April 2004.

                                    - Ends -

Enquiries

WH Smith PLC
Mark Boyle           Investor Relations                          020 7514 9630
Louise Evans         Media Relations                             020 7514 9624

Brunswick

Timothy Grey                                                     020 7404 5959
Philippa Power

Notes to Editors

AGM

WH Smith PLC will hold its AGM today at 11:30am at The Lincoln Centre, 18
Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3ED.

US Hotels Transaction

The total consideration of $12.5m will be satisfied by way of an interest
bearing loan note with a 5% coupon. WHSmith will hold a 15 per cent equity
interest in the company formed to acquire the business. WHSmith will also
provide a loan facility of up to $7m to the new company. The US Hotels Business
consists of 280 stores in Hotels across continental USA, the Caribbean and
Hawaii.




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