23rd Apr 2018 11:15
TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible)i | ||||||
1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attachedii: | WH Smith plc | |||||
1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer (please mark with an "X" if appropriate) | ||||||
Non-UK issuer | ||||||
2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an "X") | ||||||
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights | X | |||||
An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments | ||||||
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights | ||||||
Other (please specify)iii: | ||||||
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligationiv | ||||||
Name | Marathon Asset Management LLP | |||||
City and country of registered office (if applicable) | London, UK | |||||
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.)v | ||||||
Name | See attached breakdown | |||||
City and country of registered office (if applicable) | ||||||
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedvi: | 19 April 2018 | |||||
6. Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY): | 20 April 2018 | |||||
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation | ||||||
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A) | % of voting rights through financial instruments(total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) | Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) | Total number of voting rights of issuervii | |||
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached | 4.95 | 0 | 4.95 | 110,119,148 | ||
Position of previous notification (if applicable) | 5.38 | 0 | 5.38 | |||
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedviii | |||||||||
A: Voting rights attached to shares | |||||||||
Class/type ofshares ISIN code (if possible) | Number of voting rightsix | % of voting rights | |||||||
Direct (Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1) | Indirect (Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1) | Direct (Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1) | Indirect (Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1) | ||||||
Ordinary shares ISIN: GB00B2PDGW16 | 5,448,186 | 4.95 | |||||||
SUBTOTAL 8. A | 5,448,186 | 4.95 | |||||||
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B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 13(1)(a) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (a)) | |||||||||
Type of financial instrument | Expirationdatex | Exercise/Conversion Periodxi | Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted. | % of voting rights | |||||
N/A | |||||||||
SUBTOTAL 8. B 1 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b)) | |||||||||
Type of financial instrument | Expirationdatex | Exercise/Conversion Period xi | Physical or cash settlementxii | Number of voting rights | % of voting rights | ||||
N/A | |||||||||
SUBTOTAL 8.B.2 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the applicable box with an "X") | ||||
Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuerxiii | ||||
Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or thefinancial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entityxiv (please add additional rows as necessary) | X | |||
Namexv | % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | |
William Arah | ||||
Neil Ostrer | ||||
Jeremy Hosking | ||||
Marathon Asset Management (Services) Ltd | ||||
10. In case of proxy voting, please identify: | ||||
Name of the proxy holder | ||||
The number and % of voting rights held | ||||
The date until which the voting rights will be held | ||||
11. Additional informationxvi | ||||
Marathon Asset Management LLP controls a total of 6,323,802 shares on behalf of underlying investors but only has authority to vote in connection with 5,448,186 shares. | ||||
Place of completion | London |
Date of completion | 20 April 2018 |
Appendix
Breakdown of shares controlled by Marathon Asset Management LLP:
Custodian | Nominal |
Bank of New York Mellon | 1,211,113 |
Brown Brothers Harriman | 56,249 |
JP Morgan Chase | 233,090 |
Northern Trust | 3,104,723 |
Royal Bank of Canada | 5,295 |
State Street Bank & Trust Company, Boston | 1,678,921 |
HSBC Bank Plc | 34,411 |
Total | 6,323,802 |
Note: Marathon Asset Management LLP only has voting rights over 5,448,186 of these shares.