WH Smith PLC announced that it has appointed Annette Court as a non-executive director and Chair Designate. Annette will join the Board on 1 September 2022 and will succeed Henry Staunton as Chair on 1 December 2022. Henry Staunton will retire from the Board on 30 November 2022, after nine years as Chairman.

Annette Court is currently chair of Admiral Group plc and a non-executive director of Sage Group plc. She was previously the CEO of Europe General Insurance for Zurich Financial Services and was a member of the Group Executive Committee from 2007 to 2010. Annette was also the CEO of Direct Line Group (formerly RBS Insurance) from 2001 to 2006 and a member of the RBS Group Executive Management Committee.

She has also been a member of the Board of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The Directors have determined that upon appointment Annette Court will be independent.