Directorate Change

Smith WH PLC
24 November 2004

24 November 2004

WH SMITH PLC ('WHSmith')

Board Changes

WH Smith PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Walker as
non-executive Chairman of WH Smith PLC.

Robert Walker, aged 59, will join the Board on 1 January 2005 as a non-executive
director and will become Chairman on 1 February 2005. He succeeds Richard
Handover, who has been Chairman of WH Smith PLC since November 2003. Mr Handover
will leave the Board on 31 January 2005.

Following the appointment of Robert Walker, who is a non-executive director of
Signet Group plc, Walker Boyd, Group Finance Director of Signet Group plc and a
non-executive director of WHSmith, will not offer himself for election at the
Company's Annual General Meeting on 27 January 2005 and will leave the Board
following that meeting. This is in accordance with best corporate governance and
the recommendation of the Combined Code regarding cross-directorships.

Kate Swann, Group Chief Executive, WH Smith PLC said:

'I am delighted that Robert Walker has agreed to join us as Chairman of WHSmith.
His extensive experience in consumer markets, his enthusiasm and leadership
skills will serve the Company and its shareholders well and I look forward to
working with him.

'On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Richard for his contribution to
WHSmith during a career spanning forty years and, personally, for the support he
has given me since I joined the Company. Richard will be greatly missed by his
many colleagues in the business. He and Walker Boyd leave with our very best
wishes for the future.'

Robert Walker, said: 'The WHSmith Group benefits from a strong, well-established
brand with enormous customer loyalty and leading positions in its key markets. I
am excited at the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and I look forward
to working with Kate and her team.'

                                    - Ends -
Enquiries:

WH Smith PLC                                                       020 7409 3222
Louise Evans          Media Relations
Mark Boyle            Investor Relations

Brunswick                                                          020 7404 5959
Louise Charlton
Tom Buchanan


Notes to Editors


Robert Walker began his career in marketing at Procter & Gamble. He then spent
six years at McKinsey & Co. before joining PepsiCo International in 1976. He
worked for PepsiCo Inc. for over 22 years where he was a Division President
responsible for the company's beverages businesses in Europe, Middle East,
Africa and Asia.

In May 1996 Robert joined the Board of Severn Trent Plc as a non-executive
director. He was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in July 1999 and became Chief
Executive in August 2000. Robert retires as Chief Executive of Severn Trent at
the beginning of February 2005. He is a non-executive director of Wolseley Plc
and Signet Group plc. Aged 59.

Walker Boyd is a non-executive director of WH Smith PLC and joined the Board in
March 2004. He has been Group Finance Director of Signet Group plc since 1995,
having been Finance Director of their UK division since 1992. He is a member of
the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Scotland. Aged 52.






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