WH Smith PLC (LSE:SMWH) has announced the appointment of Max Izzard, currently corporate finance senior vice president at Burberry, as its chief financial officer this year.
Robert Moorhead, who is currently in the role, has told the retailer of his intention to retire after some 20 years with WH Smith, the firm said in a statement on Friday.
"It has been both a pleasure and an honour to have worked at WH Smith [...] I am highly confident that the future for WH Smith is an exciting one and I hand over to Max knowing that the company is well set,” Moorhead commented.
Izzard has held a variety of senior roles at luxury retailer Burberry over the past six years.
Beforehand, he worked in senior commercial and group finance roles at Holiday Inn-owner IHG.
He will join WH Smith in September and take over from Moorhead in December, with the latter having initially joined the chain in 2004.
“It is testament to his efforts and talents that he will leave the company in such a strong financial and strategic position,” chief executive Carl Cowling said, “I thank him for that”.
For the six months to January, WH Smith reported a 10% increase in like-for-like revenue from its travel-focused shops, such as those in stations and airports.
Some 110 new stores are set to open this year, the firm added, as it goes through a strategic shift to focus more heavily on travel retail.
“I have admired the transformation of the business and I am excited to be joining one of the world's leading travel retailers,” Izzard said.