WH Smith Travel boss to retire

24th Aug 2011 07:01

WH Smith is to bid farewell to Simon Marinker, managing director of the Travel Retail arm of the business, at the end of the year.The newsagent said Marinker will retire "after 34 years of outstanding service to the group". He will continue to remain involved with the business as a consultant. Simon Smith, Chief Operating Officer of the Travel Retail business, will assume responsibility for Travel Retail and will report directly to the group's Chief Executive Officer, Kate Swann.In a brief statement covering current trading, WH Smith said it expects performance for the year to the end of August to be in line with expectations.The Travel Retail business continues its good performance and is making further progress in winning new business overseas, the statement said. In the High Street Retail business the focus on gross margin gains and tight cost control continues to deliver a solid performance. Both businesses remain highly cash generative.WH Smith PLC will announce preliminary results for the year ending 31 August 2011 on Thursday 13 October 2011. --jh