7th Jul 2006 16:57
Smith WH PLC07 July 2006 WH Smith PLC Posting of circular regarding separation of WH Smith Retail business from News business via a demerger Publication of New WH Smith PLC prospectus and Smiths News PLC prospectus Appointment of further Non-Executive Director to Smiths News PLC Following the demerger announcement on 27 June 2006, WH Smith PLC announcestoday that: • it will shortly be posting a circular to its shareholders regarding the separation of the WH Smith Retail business from the News business via a demerger, with details of shareholder meetings convened for 2 August 2006, as per the timetable announced on 27 June 2006; • the following prospectuses, together with the circular to shareholders, are now available for viewing at the WH Smith PLC website, http:// www.whsmithplc.co.uk: o the New WH Smith PLC prospectus, relating to admission to the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange of New WH Smith PLC; o the Smiths News PLC prospectus, relating to admission to the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange of Smiths News PLC; and • John Worby to be appointed Non-Executive Director of Smiths News PLC. Copies of the circular, accompanying forms of proxy, the New WH Smith PLCprospectus and the Smiths News PLC prospectus are available for publicinspection at the United Kingdom Listing Authority's Document Viewing Facility,situated at the Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, CanaryWharf, London E14 5HS, at the registered office of WH Smith PLC, Greenbridge Rd,Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 3RX, and at the offices of Allen & Overy LLP, One NewChange, London EC4M 9QQ, during normal business hours on any business day fromthe date of this announcement until the demerger becomes effective or lapses.They will also be available for inspection at the Extraordinary General Meetingand the Court Meeting. Notes to editors: John Worby (55) will be appointed Non-Executive Director of Smiths News PLC witheffect from the demerger. John is a chartered accountant and is currently SeniorIndependent Non-Executive Director of Cranswick plc and a Non-Executive Directorof Genus plc. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee of both companies. He waspreviously Group Finance Director and Deputy Chairman of Uniq plc (formerlyUnigate PLC). Enquiries: WH Smith Mark Boyle Investor Relations 020 7851 8820 Louise Evans Media Relations 020 7851 8850 The contents of this announcement have been issued by and are the soleresponsibility of WH Smith PLC. Greenhill & Co. International LLP, which is regulated in the UK by the FinancialServices Authority, is acting for WH Smith PLC as financial adviser and sponsorand is acting for Smiths News PLC and New WH Smith PLC as sponsor in connectionwith the demerger and for no one else and will not be responsible to any otherperson for providing the protections afforded to its clients, or for providingadvice in relation to the demerger. This announcement is an advertisement and does not comprise a prospectusrelating to Smiths News PLC or New WH Smith PLC. It does not constitute or formpart of any offer of securities, or constitute solicitation of any offer ofsecurities. You should not purchase or subscribe for securities referred to inthis announcement except on the basis of information in the prospectusespublished in relation to Smiths News PLC and New WH Smith PLC (and anysupplement or amendment thereto). This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the demerger,and should not be construed as legal, business, tax or investment advice. Thevalue of shares can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide tofuture performance. Shareholders of WH Smith PLC should consult a professionaladviser as to the suitability of the demerger for the individual concerned. Shares in Smiths News PLC and/or New WH Smith PLC have not been and will not beregistered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and willbe issued in transactions that are exempt from or not subject to theregistration requirements of such Act. In addition, shares in Smiths News PLCand/or New WH Smith PLC have not been and will not be registered under thesecurities laws of any state of the United States, and will be issued inreliance on available exemptions from such state law registration requirements. ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Wh Smith