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The Latest Breaking News from Carl Cowling

WH Smith names former Balfour Beatty boss as executive chairman

Leo Quinn will start on April 7, subject to shareholder approval, replacing current non-executive chairwoman Annette Court.

Evening Standard · Jan 19

WH Smith names new executive chairman after accounting scandal

Previous WH Smith chief executive Carl Cowling stepped down following the accounting error

The Independent UK · Jan 19

WH Smith to claw back £1.5m from ex-bosses after accounting scandal

The travel retail specialist confirmed last week it is being investigated by the UK’s financial watchdog after it overstated North American profits.

Evening Standard · Dec 24, 2025

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WH Smith tries to recover bonuses from ex-bosses as watchdog investigates accounting error

Retailer targets £7m in bonuses as FCA examines scandal in North American arm

The Guardian - UK · Dec 19, 2025

FCA makes inquiries into WH Smith accounting error that wiped almost £600m off value

Regulator assessing whether firm breached UK disclosure rules for listed companies, but is yet to launch formal investigation

The Guardian - UK · Nov 25, 2025

WH Smith CEO quits after accounting error that wiped almost £600m off value

Company slashes profit outlook as it takes hit from blunder in North American division

The Guardian - UK · Nov 19, 2025

WH Smith boss quits after investigation into 'extremely serious' accounting errors in North America

Profits in US division now expected to be as low as £5 million compared with £55 million before the shortcomings were exposed

Evening Standard · Nov 19, 2025

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WH Smith boss steps down as retailer issues fresh profit warning

Andrew Harrison, who currently heads the group’s UK division, has been appointed on an interim basis

The Independent UK · Nov 19, 2025

WH Smith boss steps down after US accounting probe

The group downgraded its full-year expectations once again as the profit shortfall in the US is set to be greater-than-feared.

Evening Standard · Nov 19, 2025

WH Smith’s US adventure is now stuck in an accounting hole

The plunge in the group’s share price looks more than justified. And while expansion plans survive, big questions remain

The Guardian - UK · Aug 21, 2025

Tariffs more likely to bring UK price cuts than inflation, says WH Smith boss

Carl Cowling says there is ‘no logic’ in why there would be inflation as east Asian suppliers seek alternatives to the US

The Guardian - UK · Apr 16, 2025

WH Smith reveals falling high street sales amid talks to sell the division

The group said total high street sales dropped 6% in the 21 weeks to January 25, down 3% on a like-for-like basis, while travel shops saw 6% growth.

Evening Standard · Jan 29, 2025

Britney Spears driving U.K. book-buying renaissance

Spears' memoir sold more than 1 million copies in her first week, and it appears to be helping U.K. retailers' own bottom line.

Fortune · Nov 10, 2023

Britney Spears memoir helping drive UK book market growth, says WH Smith

Singer’s tell-all book and Richard Osman’s latest crime novel boosting pre-Christmas sales, says retailer

The Guardian - UK · Nov 9, 2023

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Evening Standard · Nov 9, 2023

Fresh fears for high street in run-up to Christmas

WHSmith said it was likely to close more high-street shops, while The Works cut its profit outlook and B&M's growth slowed

Wales Online · Jun 30, 2023

WH Smith says it's not opening any more high street shops

Landmark retailer has said it will now concentrate on stores in airports and railway stations

The Guardian - UK · Apr 20, 2023

Sushi, travel and high-end headphones help WH Smith profits double

Retailer’s fortunes bounce back after expansion abroad and pivot towards electronics and premium food ranges

Daily Mirror · Apr 20, 2023

WH Smith to open 120 new stores after sales surged following end of Covid restrictions

Books and stationery firm WH Smith confirmed more than 120 new shops are set to open worldwide, including 60 in North America, as it focuses more on its travel arm

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Evening Standard · Apr 20, 2023

WHSmith to open pharmacy hybrid shops at eight of London’s busiest rail stations

Sales at its travel shops have rocketed

Birmingham Post · Apr 20, 2023

WH Smith says trading is 'ahead of expectations' as sales surge by 41%

Bosses at the Swindon-headquartered retailer credited the rise in revenue to the return of people at airports and train stations

Wales Online · Apr 20, 2023

WH Smith has revealed plans to open more than 120 new shops

The retailer saw profits more than double as it continues to shift its focus towards airport and railway station shops instead of its traditional high street spots

Daily Mirror · Mar 6, 2023

WH Smith to launch new high-end stationery stores to fill gap left by Paperchase

The new standalone Curi.o.city stores will sell gifts, stationery and souvenirs from a mix of third-party brands which aims to fill the gap in the market left by Paperchase

The Guardian - UK · Nov 10, 2022

WH Smith investors get first dividend in three years after sales jump

Company reports £63m profit in year to August following strong travel market performance

Evening Standard · Nov 10, 2022

WH Smith booms as travel returns post Covid and US arm takes off

WH Smith today looked on track to be one of the few UK retailers to crack America as its travel arm looks to expand across the globe and it resumed dividend payments to investors.

Birmingham Post · Nov 10, 2022

WH Smith returns to profit amid global travel market recovery

The Swindon-based retailer said sales at its stores in airports and other transport hubs had surged past pre-pandemic levels

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