Retailer WH Smith details demerger plans

Britain's WH Smith today confirmed plans to split in two after announcing shareholders would receive one share in a separately…

Britain's WH Smith today confirmed plans to split in two after announcing shareholders would receive one share in a separately listed retail business and another in a news distribution business.

The firm said Kate Swann and Alan Stewart would be chief executive and finance director, respectively, of the new retail business, which will take the name WH Smith.

Mark Cashmore and Alan Humphrey will be chief executive and finance director, respectively, of the new Smiths News distribution business.