Carl Cowling to succeed Stephen Clarke as CEO of WH Smith
WH Smith has announced that Carl Cowling is to replace Stephen Clark as the company’s chief executive as part of a long-term succession plan.
Due to take up his position on 1 November, Cowling was appointed as a member of the WH Smith board in February and is currently managing director of the company’s high street business.
He originally joined WH Smith in 2014 as managing director for WH Smith Travel. Prior to that, he worked for over ten years at Dixons where he held the roles of ecommerce director, commercial director and managing director of the airport retailing business, Dixons Travel. His previous experience also includes being managing director of global partnerships at Carphone Warehouse.
Clarke has worked with WH Smith since 2004 and prior to that held a range of positions at Argos.
Henry Staunton, WH Smith chairman, said: “Stephen has made an outstanding contribution to WH Smith. The board is particularly grateful to him for his dedication and leadership which has seen WH Smith go from strength to strength and deliver exceptional shareholder value over the last six years. He has built an excellent management team and has put in place a proven strategy which will continue to deliver for all our stakeholders. We wish Stephen well for the future.”
