Board of Directors
The members of our Board of Directors draw on a deep well of experience and expertise to oversee the company’s operations, trading and governance.
David Blackwood
David has extensive business and listed company experience, notably in Finance, Audit and Risk. David uses his experience and knowledge to lead the Board in reviewing and approving management’s plans for the development of the Company’s strategy and operational performance. As Chair of the Nominations Committee, David is also responsible for leading the assessment of the capabilities and skills of the executive and non-executive leadership, and for longer-term succession planning.
Most recently, David has been a non-executive director of Dignity plc (until June 2020), Scapa Group plc (until April 2021), The Go-Ahead Group plc (until October 2022) and Esken limited (Previously Stobart Group PLC – until March 2024) where, in respect of Dignity, Scapa and Esken he served as chair of the audit committee, and as a member of the Go-Ahead audit Committee and, otherwise in each case, as Senior Independent Director and as a member of the nomination and remuneration committees, save for Esken where he was only Senior Independent Director. He was formerly Chief Financial Officer of Synthomer plc where he was employed for seven years, stepping down in 2015, prior to which he held a number of senior roles within Imperial Chemical Industries plc (ICI). David has also previously served as a member of the Cabinet Office Audit and Risk Committee and on the Board for Actuarial Standards. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).
Other current appointments
None.
Jon Bunting
Jon joined WH Smith News in 1994. He rose through the organisation in a variety of sales and marketing managerial roles before being promoted to the executive management team in 2001. In April 2014, Jon became Managing Director of the Connect News & Media division and, subsequently, Chief Operating Officer in September 2017, a position which spanned wider group business interests held at the time, together with Smiths News. Following his appointment as Interim Chief Executive Officer on 5 November 2019, this appointment was confirmed on 15 June 2020.
Richard Clay
Mark Whiteling
Mark Whiteling is the Senior Independent Director and joined the Board on 1 September 2017.
Mark has gained extensive finance and operational experience at a senior level within a number of diverse organisations. He brings recent and relevant financial expertise required to lead the Audit Committee.
Mark was most recently the Chief Financial Officer of Interserve PLC and has previously been the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Premier Farnell plc. He was a non-executive director of Future plc until December 2014 and Senior Independent Director of Hogg Robinson Group PLC until July 2018, in both cases acting as chair of the respective audit committees as well as serving on their nomination and remuneration committees. In addition, Mark has been Chairman and non-executive director of Xpediator PLC from September 2021 until March 2022 and member of its remuneration committee.
Manju Malhotra
Manju Malhotra joined the Board on 16 January 2025 as an independent non-executive director and member of Smiths News’ Audit, Remuneration and Nominations Committees. Manju has extensive experience having held a number of senior financial and operational roles, including Chief Financial Officer (2010-2017), Chief Operations Officer (2018-2019) and Chief Executive Officer (2020-2023) at Harvey Nichols Group Ltd.
She is currently a non-executive director and chair of the Audit Committee at abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust PLC and non-executive director and member of Audit Committee and chair of the ESG Committee at Workspace Group PLC.
She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998.
Michael Holt
Michael possesses relevant commercial and operational experience gained within the logistics and distribution industries. With his detailed understanding of the distribution sector and its opportunities and challenges, Michael provides an independent voice and commercial sounding board in the development and execution of the Company’s strategy and business ambitions.
Michael was formerly Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Express, Europe until the end of September 2018, holding a number of other senior executive roles with FedEx Corporation since 2006. Prior to that, Michael held senior executive roles at a number of leading logistics organisations including ANC Group, where he was instrumental in leading the turnaround of the business from a position of loss-making to industry leading margins and strong profit recovery prior to its successful sale to FedEx in 2006.
Deborah Rabey
Deborah Rabey is a non-executive director and joined the Board on 1 March 2023.
Deborah possesses a wealth of experience across supply chains, global sourcing, change management and general marketing, particularly within the retail sector, having spent 23 years with Tesco PLC (to October 2022), of which 14 years were at director level positions, notably as UK Category Director, General Merchandise.
She was most recently Chief Customer Officer at Wilko, the mixed-goods retailer (from February to September 2023).
Investor enquiries
For all enquiries concerning Investor Relations, please email:
Smiths News PLC
Rowan House
Kembrey Park
Swindon
SN2 8UH
